I am starting this GoFundMe for our dad, Gregory Welker. Let me start off by saying, my dad is the most selfless, compassionate, inspiring, and loving Dad and PaPa out there with four children and eight grandchildren. Growing up, our parents barely had two pennies to rub together but they always figured it out, one way or the other, and we never went without—even if they did. Even as adults, our parents have been there, just one phone call away.. and now it’s our turn to show up for them.

One week ago today, June 26, 2025, my father went out to help the neighbors with their yard because they’re unable and that’s just the type of Neighbor he is— while mowing and weed eating, he felt a pull in the back of his leg and just brushed it off as pulling something. As the day went on, he started having more pain and swelling. Side note: Almost exactly one year ago, my dad had to have a carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and had several stents placed in the lower abdomen and groin area due to a 100% blockage in his left leg, which is mostly a rod holding it together from a broken femur in the 80s. My dad took the weekend off and went back to work yesterday, July 2nd. While working, he developed severe pain and swelling, and the nurse at his work personally drove him to Lincoln Memorial Hospital. After initial assessments and scans and the ER speaking to his vascular surgeon from his prior surgeries, it was then determined he needed to be taken immediately to Springfield Memorial Hospital to undergo emergency surgery.

It was found that my dad had three possible outcomes.. 1. Go in and remove the clots and plaque buildup and try to reopen the stents. 2. If the stents don’t hold, then a bypass would need to be completed. 3. If the bypass procedure was not going to be possible, then an amputation would be required.

God did something right with Dr. Ryan, because my dad came out with both legs and stents that were open. Although he is not clearly out of the woods, I have faith that he will be okay. They are closely monitoring him on a heparin drip watching for any possible compartment syndrome, stent failure, etc. He will be off work for an extended period of time with hopes of him being able to retire.

My mother is disabled and my dad is their only income aside from her small disability check per month. I am asking for donations to help with medical bills/co-pays, mortgage, utilities, groceries, car payments, household necessities, traveling for follow up appointments, etc. My parents have worked so hard to get to this stage of their lives and I can't let them lose it. My dad will be off work recovering for an extended period of time with hopes of retiring and between now and then, it is going to be very difficult time. My dad is never one to take and always gives-if anyone could use this, it would be them! We would greatly appreciate any help and please keep them in your prayers!