Justin's Transplant/Recovery Fund
Donation protected
This is my brother Justin. Justin had the personality to light up a room and be the life of the party. An adrenaline junky, living life on the edge and pushing limits .Knowing exactly what he wanted and giving his absolute all to achieve it. All around a hilarious guy by making the most inappropriate jokes at the most inappropriate times just to see you smile.
He moved to Albuquerque New Mexico with his mom when he was about 10-13 years old so we didn’t exactly have that brother/sister love/hate relationship growing up but as we’ve grown older for like the last 15 years or so our relationship got stronger and stronger, no one understands an OLSON more than an OLSON. But as of the last couple years that bright, beautiful light that made Justin well... Justin, really started to fade into something much darker and with our long distance sibling relationship We couldn’t really see how bad he was succumbing to his addiction with alcohol until just 2 months ago in early December 2017 he landed himself in the ICU with 2/3 of his liver dead and the remaining 1/3 severely inflamed and an acute kidney injury due to his liver failure.
If you you’ve seen me at all the last two months you’ve witnessed the roller coaster of emotions. Just days ago there was almost no hope left to be had.... it broke all our hearts to even think about what was nearly inevitable despite all efforts. His liver had completely failed, his kidneys completely shut down because of his liver, he was started on Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy dialysis, put on a ventilator, his lungs were beginning to fill with fluid, his labs were near all critical, and despite numerous paracentesis procedures his abdomen continued to fill with fluid in a matter of hours.
His ever-persistent mother absolutely wouldn’t take NO for an answer and Dr. Ahmed (I think) along with a FEW other ICU physicians at University of New Mexico Hospital did all they could to contact hospitals all over the country to see if someone would give him his best fighting chance with a liver transplant.... Everyone said no....until Thursday (2/2/18) someone at University of Utah hospital finally said yes, “we’ll take him now, we’ll be there shortly!” and he was taken to Salt Lake City Utah by jet plane very early Friday morning (less than 12 hours after acceptance!) Our prayers have been answered and It truly is a miracle if I’ve ever seen one!!!
He’s only 34 years old, he has a 6 year old and a fiancé. He’s got his WHOLE life ahead of him and now he’s being considered for a liver transplant by going through thorough exams and nearing ultimate decision!!! The doctors are very optimistic!! A second chance at life!!! However, he’s got a tremendously long road ahead of him where every step of the way, (including a 90 day inpatient rehab, 24 hour after transplant care, and all the other bells and whistles of an organ transplant) will be easier than the last and 110% worth it but this not only would help his support system be by his side by temporarily relocating to Utah and help him every step of the way, it’ll help my brother give his recovery his ABSOLUTE ALL without thinking of the financial burden his loved ones are taking on. This man is bred from the two most stubbornest people I’ve ever known in my entire life and there’s not a doubt in my mind that he can’t do this!!!
If you’ve ever loved someone who’s struggled with addiction of any form, If you’ve ever regretted doubting someone’s ability and strength to fight for what they needed, if you’ve ever wished you could’ve given someone your ALL so they could even catch a glimpse of a second chance at a clean, healthy, happy, sober life knowing they deserved it then I know this will hit close to home❤️. But if you’ve never experienced any of that I pray you never do. If you’re unable to donate please just click share to share my brothers story and your continued prayers would be greatly appreciated. If you are able to donate and make a difference in his young family's life (no amount is too small!) I want you to know My entire family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.
He moved to Albuquerque New Mexico with his mom when he was about 10-13 years old so we didn’t exactly have that brother/sister love/hate relationship growing up but as we’ve grown older for like the last 15 years or so our relationship got stronger and stronger, no one understands an OLSON more than an OLSON. But as of the last couple years that bright, beautiful light that made Justin well... Justin, really started to fade into something much darker and with our long distance sibling relationship We couldn’t really see how bad he was succumbing to his addiction with alcohol until just 2 months ago in early December 2017 he landed himself in the ICU with 2/3 of his liver dead and the remaining 1/3 severely inflamed and an acute kidney injury due to his liver failure.
If you you’ve seen me at all the last two months you’ve witnessed the roller coaster of emotions. Just days ago there was almost no hope left to be had.... it broke all our hearts to even think about what was nearly inevitable despite all efforts. His liver had completely failed, his kidneys completely shut down because of his liver, he was started on Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy dialysis, put on a ventilator, his lungs were beginning to fill with fluid, his labs were near all critical, and despite numerous paracentesis procedures his abdomen continued to fill with fluid in a matter of hours.
His ever-persistent mother absolutely wouldn’t take NO for an answer and Dr. Ahmed (I think) along with a FEW other ICU physicians at University of New Mexico Hospital did all they could to contact hospitals all over the country to see if someone would give him his best fighting chance with a liver transplant.... Everyone said no....until Thursday (2/2/18) someone at University of Utah hospital finally said yes, “we’ll take him now, we’ll be there shortly!” and he was taken to Salt Lake City Utah by jet plane very early Friday morning (less than 12 hours after acceptance!) Our prayers have been answered and It truly is a miracle if I’ve ever seen one!!!
He’s only 34 years old, he has a 6 year old and a fiancé. He’s got his WHOLE life ahead of him and now he’s being considered for a liver transplant by going through thorough exams and nearing ultimate decision!!! The doctors are very optimistic!! A second chance at life!!! However, he’s got a tremendously long road ahead of him where every step of the way, (including a 90 day inpatient rehab, 24 hour after transplant care, and all the other bells and whistles of an organ transplant) will be easier than the last and 110% worth it but this not only would help his support system be by his side by temporarily relocating to Utah and help him every step of the way, it’ll help my brother give his recovery his ABSOLUTE ALL without thinking of the financial burden his loved ones are taking on. This man is bred from the two most stubbornest people I’ve ever known in my entire life and there’s not a doubt in my mind that he can’t do this!!!
If you’ve ever loved someone who’s struggled with addiction of any form, If you’ve ever regretted doubting someone’s ability and strength to fight for what they needed, if you’ve ever wished you could’ve given someone your ALL so they could even catch a glimpse of a second chance at a clean, healthy, happy, sober life knowing they deserved it then I know this will hit close to home❤️. But if you’ve never experienced any of that I pray you never do. If you’re unable to donate please just click share to share my brothers story and your continued prayers would be greatly appreciated. If you are able to donate and make a difference in his young family's life (no amount is too small!) I want you to know My entire family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.
Organizer
Jessica DeRango
Organizer
Racine, WI
