Kidney Transplant for End Stage Renal Failure

Hi, my name is Greg and I’m fundraising because I am in need of a kidney transplant because I’m currently in End Stage Renal Failure. A condition that led me to being in a coma for almost a week. Some sources show that the transplant/surgery will likely cost $143,500(estimate) without insurance and $33,500(estimate) with insurance. Doctors say typically a patient 35 and under, with labs and the resilience my body is displaying, are considered to be a great candidate for a transplant. In regards to the time it takes to have your name called after you’re put on the list. So any help is MUCH appreciated, THANK YOU! 

FULL STORY CONTINUE READING BELOW…

WHAT HAPPENED?

On the afternoon of January 24th I collapsed in my bedroom. I regained consciousness the moment I heard my mother screaming my name at the top of her lungs. My brother immediately picked me off the carpet, carried me up the steps and threw me into the car. I don’t remember much of the car ride but I do remember making it into a room where I was in and out of consciousness. Eventually my body would give in and I slipped into a coma and for the next 3+ days I remained intubated on a ventilator. I was also given a feeding tube and a catheter to use the bathroom. Doctors feared the worst and was unsure if I was going to survive. Thankfully, I woke up days later but unaware of where I was… at first. I also experienced loss of sight for 2 weeks, blurriness and some neurological damage. As I began to regain consciousness, I became more aware of what happened and where I was. The medical team had never seen anyone survive with the numbers my body produced. As I became more cognizant, the doctors began to create a plan of next steps hoping that since I survived all would return to normal. However, that is not where we are at this point after a year.

DIAGNOSIS 

When I awoke, a team of doctors and other medical personnel were staring at me and documenting my medical journey. I was told that I passed out due to my blood sugar levels surpassing 2200 (normal is 100-125)! I was also told that due to me having diabetes (unbeknownst to me) it caused my kidneys to go into renal failure. My kidney function was failing severely. I was also told I suffered neurological damage from when I passed out. It was also stated that I had a nodule on my lung and that I also had pancreatitis. Needless to say I was bad shape! I was totally unaware that I had Type 2 diabetes. I had no idea what the warning signs were until then!

I was in the MICU and ICU fighting for my life. I WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR ABOUT A MONTH!

BECAUSE OF RENAL FAILURE I HAVE TO HAVE DIALYSIS UNTIL A MATCHING KIDNEY IS FOUND AND MY NAME IS CALLED FOR TRANSPLANT SURGERY…

DIALYSIS

(Central Venous Catheter)

(In dialysis hooked up to the dializing machine)

I am currently in dialysis 3 days a week and 4.5 hours (duration) each treatment. Dialysis is basically pulling fluids from my body since my kidneys aren’t working. Each of these 3 days I am connected to a machine that acts as my kidneys. It cleans my blood of bacteria and pulls fluid that is unable to pass through urine. This will happen until a suitable kidney match is found and my place in the transplant list is called for a kidney transplant.

Unfortunately, after dialysis I am drained and weak. The remainder of the day is spent resting and recovering from the dialysis process. For 3 days out of each week I am unable to do anything! I am still young with a lot of life left to live. I am trying to cherish and preserve my quality of life while I still can.

GOALS & PURPOSE 

My goal is to become an advocate for men under 40 by telling my story. Even tho I’m not 40 I feel now a days people under 40 feel like things like this won’t happen to them but I’m proof that it could. I would like to share my personal experiences and all I’ve endured so the next person doesn’t have to go through the same and will be able to see the signs I missed before the results become end stage. I believe if I were educated more I would have been aware of the warning signs in advance and would not have disregarded them. In retrospect, I had symptoms 2-3 months prior, but assumed I was exhausted from all of the work I was doing or attributed it to depression. The desire is to be totally transparent and open, to share my story and journey to help, to positively impact and to save someone else’s life. As I walk through this journey towards a healthier body, sharing my journey and education will be two-fold: to help me be stronger and to provide support and education to anyone going through dialysis, diabetes, and/or kidney failure.

SURGERY 

I had multiple surgeries while unconscious. Including, a catheter placed in my chest that goes directly to my heart, called a Central Venous Catheter. 

Recently: I had surgery to place a fistula in my left arm for dialysis as well

(Fistula surgery on my left arm)

LASTLY: THE ULTIMATE SURGERY, KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.

IMPACT FINANCIALLY & WORK

Because of my condition I am unable to work. Doctors have declared me disabled as of September 2022. As a result of surgery, procedures, & dialysis it is hard for me to do much of anything, especially on those days. Each process drains my body to the point of complete exhaustion. Prior to this medical crisis, I was self-employed as a contractor performing manual labor and heavy lifting all of which I am unable to do now. Doctors advised against heavy lifting with my fistula and catheter. All of which makes the task difficult with being the man of household and a father. I try to live a normal life as possible on the other 4 days of the week, thus, hiding my behind the scenes struggles. I am being evaluated and assessed to be placed on the list for a transplant. The operation itself is a quite expense and only partially covered (80%) by medical insurance. My goal is to raise enough money so when my number or name is called I will be medically and financially ready. Also, to help out with hardship financially that medically has made me incapable of working

Months ago when this happened my life changed immediately and every day I feel that I am fighting for my life and to recover and to make the best quality of life that I can!

Any financial assistance would be greatly appreciated!

THANK YOU ALL! I will update you with my progress!

THANK YOU! YOU ARE MUCH APPRECIATED!