Help the Simerman family

The past year (2021) was an uphill struggle. Jeff was losing weight, without trying, his blood tests were all showing poor numbers with decreasing platelet and low red blood cell counts which led to debilitating fatigue. He spent a week in the hospital in February 2021 for sepsis from a diverticular abscess and other challenges. In December 2021 he had a “routine” liver biopsy. This “routine” procedure went terribly wrong with nonstop internal bleeding and plummeting blood pressure. After 10 days in the hospital the shocking news came back that Jeff had Stage IV Liver Disease and without a liver transplant would have 1-3 years to live.

Just when Jeff and Laura thought things could not get worse, they did. The diverticular abscess (from February) had created a fistula or tunnel from Jeff’s colon to his bladder. Icky right?

The infections from the fistula came fast and furious with another 15 days in the hospital in February/March. Jeff was discharged from the hospital for a week but then developed another infection. Back to IU Medical Center for 5 days. Another discharge with new antibiotics for one week. Then back to the hospital with 3 new antibiotic-resistant infections for 11 days.

Surgery to completely repair the colovesical fistula was determined to be too high risk. However, the liver, GI, and infectious disease teams came up with a “stop-gap” solution that provided a lower risk option to reduce infections. Colostomy surgery was completed on May 24, 2022, which Jeff is currently recovering from. He was placed on the National Transplant List and still needs the lifesaving liver transplant surgery followed by the full colon repair surgery and colostomy reversal surgery sometime after that.

If you know Jeff you know that he is a helpful, fun, and family-oriented guy. He loves to put a smile on your face with a well-timed “dad joke” or humorous quip. He and Laura have always been active volunteers and leaders with the Tower Life Center church and especially loved the youth of the church and the community. Between them they have 25 years of working with the middle school and high school youth. Unfortunately, they had to step away from the ministry they love (and others as well) while Jeff fights this battle. This past year has looked very different for Jeff and his family. Most days consist of Jeff trying to manage diet restrictions, taking a growing list of medications, dealing with additional pain and fatigue from both colon surgery and end-stage liver disease, and learning how to handle his “new normal” colostomy care. Yet, even with his diagnoses, extreme life changes, exhaustion, discomfort, and E.R. visits he stays positive. Even in the hospital you could find him cracking jokes with the nurses and putting smiles on the faces of his care team. His faith, trust in God, and support from friends like you have helped carry Jeff and family through the beginning of these extremely difficult times.

Jeff and Laura are not usually the ones who ask for help, but at this point, as a family, they are reaching out for assistance. The Simerman family has experienced (and will continue to experience) a substantial amount of time off work for both Jeff and Laura as he will need round the clock care and twice weekly trips to IU Medical Center for 4 weeks after transplant surgery then weekly trips for an additional 4-6 weeks. Also, the added expenses of travel costs to Indianapolis (gas, hotel, meals), hospital costs, and cost of lifelong anti-rejection medication requirements will be burdensome.

Your prayers are always greatly desired, felt, and appreciated.