John & Jeannie Tatro Transplant Surgery

In January 2014, John Tatro-father, grandfather, husband, uncle, brother and friend started having medical issues. We almost lost John do to the veins that had ruptured at the bottom of his esophagus and we're causing John to bleed out internally. There was an angel watching over my father that day! Many tests were done and there was no reason found to have caused the veins to rupture. John has had 5 procedures to date, to put new bands on and make sure his esophagus was healing. After being put on many medications he started to heal. But, the medications themselves started many other complications and John started to become very sick. The doctors then conducted more testing. Those test showed John's liver and kidneys had been affected by the medication. John's meds were changed up and the doctors kept a close eye on him. Having numerous doctors appointments and blood tests, doctors told John his kidneys were coming back but unfortunately his liver was failing and wasn't going to recover, he was going to need a life-saving liver transplant. That was a lot to take in and accept. John had been healthy his whole life! A strong, hard working man who has worked 28 years as a welder, John is known for his kindness, quick wit and willingness to help others. Perhaps that's why it is hard for him to accept help, even though he really needs it now.

  John was accepted and put on the national liver transplant list on December 31st 2014. But, given the complexity of the organ donation process, the number of people who need organs, the many expenses the insurance won't cover, it is truly an uphill battle. Medications are extremely expensive and will only go up post surgery.

  After being told John's chances of getting a cadaver organ wouldnt likely be anytime soon due to John's blood type being 1 of the most popular blood types. He was told looking for a live donor would be his best chances of getting the transplant before he gets extremely sick.

John is a very private/ proud man in doesn't like to ask for help. After reaching out to a few close people and after being tested John found an 100% match with his Niece Jeannie Tatro from Albuquerque, NM. Jeannie is a very selfless and amazing person to get tested and not even think twice about saving her uncle's life.

On May 12,2015 the transplant team approved and agreed to do the life-saving surgery. Words could never explain how grateful I am that my cousin is willing to do this and give my dad a second chance at life, and to watch his only two grandsons Ty'Shaun and Devante grow up.

  Jeannie will have to be here in  NH for a month after the surgery and will have to make many more trips up to NH from NM. As you can imagine between the surgery, traveling expenses, medications which end up going up in cost post surgery and any other expenses that come with this transplant surgery, it is going to be very costly. Not including the expenses that will continue to add up while they are out of work and recovering. John and Tina his wife of 32 years are staying strong through this battle and John is looking forward to many more years with his entire family.

  Thank you in advance for any donation you can make, We are extremely grateful!! Updates will be posted along this journey.
 

Nicole