Help Support Rudy’s Lung Transplant
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Anyone who has met our father, Rudy, knows that he is a genuinely kind-hearted and generous man. He could have a two-hour conversation with someone he just met as if they were best friends for years. He is always ready to lend a hand and puts others before himself. We are now asking for help giving our father the greatest gift, a chance at living a full life through a double lung transplant.
The last 4 years have been difficult
for our family; Dad most of all. In late 2012, Dad was having more and more trouble breathing. Even getting up off the couch or walking up some stairs caused him to almost pass out from lack of oxygen. Despite this, he was still working six days a week as an appliance repair man. At the time his doctors could not identify the cause. We celebrated Christmas as a family in 2012, but by New Year’s Day Dad’s situation had worsened tremendously and he was admitted to the ER.
In January of 2013, Dad was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease. This is “a condition characterized by progressive scarring of the lung tissue between and supporting the air sacs.” Specifically he had chronic hypersensitivity pnemonitis with pulmonary fibrosis. His body was attacking his own lungs, ravaging and reducing them to mostly unusable scar tissue. By the time he left the hospital, Dad had only 33% usable lung capacity left. He would be on oxygen 24/7 for the rest of his life and extremely physically limited. Over time, the extra strain on his remaining lung tissue would cause the scarring to spread and eventually destroy what was left of his lungs.The doctors weren’t sure he would last beyond 6 months.
Four years later, Dad is still pushing forward. Living on a concentrator and oxygen tanks, he has fought bravely against this illnesss. The last year has been the worst, as the disease has progressed rapidly. He is now down to less than 20% lung capacity, with one lung turned completely to scar tissue. For my Dad, who was always such an active person, it has been difficult to barely be able to move around the house. Unwilling to give up the fight, in July of 2016 he went to the Miami Transplant Center after finding out he might be a candidate for a lung transplant. This was his only chance at any sort of recovery.
For the next 6 months, Dad endured a battery of grueling and painful tests and made weekly trips of over 100 miles down to the transplant center. In December of 2016, nearly 4 years after his initial diagnosis, he was finally placed on the transplant list as a candidate for a double lung transplant.
We are overjoyed at this opportunity for him to have even a few years of living a normal life, free of the pain and limitations brought on by his lung disease. However, even with insurance the out of pocket expenses for a double lung transplant can be up to $20,000, not including $2,500/month for the anti-rejection drugs he will need to be on for the rest of his life. These expenses are significant, especially with Dad unable to work and Mom serving as his full-time caretaker. Having the transplant is the most important thing, and we will make all the necessary sacrifices as a family to make sure it happens, but any help and support that you can provide would be tremendously helpful.
Dad gave everything to support his family. For years he commuted long hours and picked up extra shifts as a toll collector and clerk in New York City. Thereafter he worked as an applaince repair man, and was still working until the week before he went into the ER and received his diagnosis. He has been sick ever since he stopped working. We would like for Dad to be able to enjoy a life without illness, and we don’t want him to stress about expsenses after the transplant. Please consider supporting my father in any way that you can. Your thoughts, prayers and/or donations mean so much to our family.
Eric has also written a special jazz suite and recorded a CD as a fundraiser for our Father’s medical care. Any donations of $25.00 or greater will receive a copy of the CD shipped from Eric as an additional thank you.
All donations will be used towards medical expenses. Every dollar counts!
Thank you for your consideration and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
Please help to share this and spread the word! Thank you for your thoughts and kindness.
Sincerely,
Matt and Eric
The last 4 years have been difficult
for our family; Dad most of all. In late 2012, Dad was having more and more trouble breathing. Even getting up off the couch or walking up some stairs caused him to almost pass out from lack of oxygen. Despite this, he was still working six days a week as an appliance repair man. At the time his doctors could not identify the cause. We celebrated Christmas as a family in 2012, but by New Year’s Day Dad’s situation had worsened tremendously and he was admitted to the ER.
In January of 2013, Dad was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease. This is “a condition characterized by progressive scarring of the lung tissue between and supporting the air sacs.” Specifically he had chronic hypersensitivity pnemonitis with pulmonary fibrosis. His body was attacking his own lungs, ravaging and reducing them to mostly unusable scar tissue. By the time he left the hospital, Dad had only 33% usable lung capacity left. He would be on oxygen 24/7 for the rest of his life and extremely physically limited. Over time, the extra strain on his remaining lung tissue would cause the scarring to spread and eventually destroy what was left of his lungs.The doctors weren’t sure he would last beyond 6 months.
Four years later, Dad is still pushing forward. Living on a concentrator and oxygen tanks, he has fought bravely against this illnesss. The last year has been the worst, as the disease has progressed rapidly. He is now down to less than 20% lung capacity, with one lung turned completely to scar tissue. For my Dad, who was always such an active person, it has been difficult to barely be able to move around the house. Unwilling to give up the fight, in July of 2016 he went to the Miami Transplant Center after finding out he might be a candidate for a lung transplant. This was his only chance at any sort of recovery.
For the next 6 months, Dad endured a battery of grueling and painful tests and made weekly trips of over 100 miles down to the transplant center. In December of 2016, nearly 4 years after his initial diagnosis, he was finally placed on the transplant list as a candidate for a double lung transplant.
We are overjoyed at this opportunity for him to have even a few years of living a normal life, free of the pain and limitations brought on by his lung disease. However, even with insurance the out of pocket expenses for a double lung transplant can be up to $20,000, not including $2,500/month for the anti-rejection drugs he will need to be on for the rest of his life. These expenses are significant, especially with Dad unable to work and Mom serving as his full-time caretaker. Having the transplant is the most important thing, and we will make all the necessary sacrifices as a family to make sure it happens, but any help and support that you can provide would be tremendously helpful.
Dad gave everything to support his family. For years he commuted long hours and picked up extra shifts as a toll collector and clerk in New York City. Thereafter he worked as an applaince repair man, and was still working until the week before he went into the ER and received his diagnosis. He has been sick ever since he stopped working. We would like for Dad to be able to enjoy a life without illness, and we don’t want him to stress about expsenses after the transplant. Please consider supporting my father in any way that you can. Your thoughts, prayers and/or donations mean so much to our family.
Eric has also written a special jazz suite and recorded a CD as a fundraiser for our Father’s medical care. Any donations of $25.00 or greater will receive a copy of the CD shipped from Eric as an additional thank you.
All donations will be used towards medical expenses. Every dollar counts!
Thank you for your consideration and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
Please help to share this and spread the word! Thank you for your thoughts and kindness.
Sincerely,
Matt and Eric
Organizer
Deborah Binder
Organizer
Port Saint Lucie, FL