Remember when you were young and thought that your parents would be around forever? Maybe it was hope, or maybe it was the fact that you couldn’t imagine your life without them. Either way, looking at life like that was just easier than believing that one day they would no longer be just a call away. Well, up until about 6 months ago I was still living in that dreamy world. A world where my dad was invincible and would live to see 100.

Before I go any further, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Sophia, and I am writing this on behalf of myself, my siblings, and most importantly our dad, Jeffrey Dean. Our family, especially my dad, is not one to willingly ask for help, financially or otherwise, which makes this that much harder. In fact, his idea of approving this was by saying, and I quote, “I am not opposed to the idea.” Not only has my dad always been a self-sufficient and hard-working individual, but he has helped so many along the way. From the young age of 13, he was already working on a farm and supporting himself. Currently, he continues to work six days a week to provide for his family, however, I don’t think that he will be physically able to much longer.

Last October, during one our usual Sunday evening chats that cruel reality became apparent. While there were signs that my dad’s health had been declining, he hadn’t divulged any details prior to this conversation. For two years, he kept this secret from his loved ones in hopes that we wouldn’t worry about him. He must’ve know that his disease had progressed because after months of nagging him about his health, he finally told us. It all began about two and a half years ago when he went to the doctor with abdominal pains. After running multiple tests, he’d been diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangits (PSC). I know, you’re probably thinking- what in the world is that? Well, let me tell you.

PSC is a chronic liver disease which damages the bile ducts, causing the bile ducts to become blocked due to inflammation and scarring. This causes bile to accumulate in the liver, where it gradually damages liver cells causing cirrhosis of the liver. As cirrhosis progresses and scar tissue increases, the liver loses its ability to function. Ultimately many people, including my dad, need a liver transplant. Now typically it takes about 10 years before the liver fails, however, in my dad’s case it’s progressed immensely just within the last two and half years. I think it's also important to note that his liver disease was NOT  caused by drinking alcohol. In most cases,  the cause of this disease is unknown. 

The symptoms that accompany this disease worsen over time. Due to the toxins flowing throughout his body, he is extremely jaundice, which means that his skin and the whites of his eyes are a yellow color. In addition to that, he suffers from constant itching of the skin leaving him restless and on edge. The medication his doctor prescribed him to relieve the itchiness helped for a while, but it has ceased to work the past few months. He takes various vitamin supplements as a result of his liver’s inability to process vitamins that he would normally get through the food. He experiences extreme fatigue daily making simple tasks daunting.

Within the last year, my dad has had an endoscopy done on two separate occasions to open up the bile ducts and temporarily improve bile flow. The last one he had caused him to get an infection and resulted with him in the hospital for three days. Since then, he has undergone multiple tests in hopes to get him on the transplant list. As with any donor list, there are certain criteria that a person must meet to be put on the list. The sum of that criteria in this case is referred to as a MELD score, which stands for Model for End-Stage Liver Disease. Although there are many other factors that are considered besides the MELD score, such as financial stability and family support, there is a minimum score that one must be before getting approved. Basically, a person can’t be too sick or too well. Therefore, getting on the transplant list isn’t as easy as one might think.

Last week my dad went to San Francisco for all day testing. He found out that because his blood type is O+ and is in very high demand, his MELD score must be at a 38 to receive a transplant in California. In the past two months, his MELD score went from 21 to 24. If he were to wait that long it would mean that he would have an 80% chance of dying within three months. The doctor told him he basically has two choices: find a live donor or fly out to New Orleans for a number of months to wait for a liver to become available. My siblings and I will be getting tested in hopes that we are a perfect match, but even that is a process that involves extensive testing, and is not guaranteed. At this time, my dad feels that New Orleans isn’t even an option because as the sole provider he would have no way of paying his monthly expenses. However, if my dad does not get a liver transplant, his doctor reported that he has two years until termination. Termination- the exact word the doctor used. That leaves us with the feeling of urgency to ACT.

With this recent news, it is obvious that we have no other choice than to ask for help. Because this disease is so unpredictable, it can turn fatal at any given moment.  Ultimately, our goal is to raise enough money that he will be able to travel to New Orleans for his transplant. But even in New Orleans,  he could be waiting there for weeks or months for the right liver match with no income coming in. If he doesn't make it to New Orleans, the funds will assist in paying medical expenses and monthly bills as this disease decreases his ability to work. At this point we are taking it day by day and trying to stay positive.

If you are willing and able, please contribute what you can and help us join the fight for our beloved dad. We will be forever grateful, and will someday pay it forward to someone else in need. Thank you so much for hearing our story!