Kendra Hulsey's Medical Expenses

Shannon and Kendra have been married for 25 years and have 3 wonderful children.  Kendra's medical journey began in 2013 when she began experiencing joint pain, but thought it was just normal aging.  The following year in 2014, a CT scan revealed that she was likely suffering from lymphoma and it had metastasized to her lungs.  Two biopsies later, her pulmonologist told her that she did not have lymphoma but he diagnosed her with Sarcoidosis.  Sarcoidosis is a rare disease with fewer than 200,000 cases in the United States each year.  It is a disease that results from a specific type of inflammation of tissue.  It can appear in almost any organ as microscopic inflammatory clumps called granulomas.  As the granulomas grow, they start to interfere with the function of that organ.  There is no cure for Sarcoidosis but there are lots of medications to try to treat it.  Kendra has been on Prednisone for four years, coming off of it briefly twice, only to go back on it.  She has tried every medicine available.  She has struggled to get some medications approved by her insurance company because they were not FDA approved for Sarcoidosis.  This terrible disease now affects Kendra's lungs, lymph nodes, joints, peripheral nerves in the form of leg/foot neuropathy, thyroid nodules, and most recently Ocular Sarcoidosis.  She is currently iron deficient anemic.  Kendra is having an EGD on March 22 to try to determine where she is loosing blood.  When her rheumatologist found out about the anemia and Ocular Sarcoidosis, she decided it is time for Kendra to go to The Cleveland Clinic Sarcoidosis Center in Cleveland, Ohio.  On top of all this, Kendra fought a short fight with Renal Cell Carcinoma last year which resulted in a partial nephrectomy.  Before all this, she suffered from chronic kidney stones.  A brief stay at the Mayo Clinic helped resolve that issue, for the most part.

Kendra spends a large amount of her time each week visiting doctors, enduring medical treatments, and trying various expensive medications.  Although the family has insurance, their out of pocket costs have become a tremendous financial burden on them.  Now, her stay at The Cleveland Clinic will add to her already extensive expenses. 

While she is in Cleveland, she will see multiple specialists.  At this time, we are not certain about how long Kendra will need to be there, but further tests, procedures, and treatments are likely.  We are certain that Kendra still has a long way to go to battle this debilitating disease. 

Kendra's husband, Shannon (my brother) will accompany Kendra as long as possible.  He has applied for Family Medical Leave if needed, but he will not receive an income during that time.  They will have to secure a hotel at their expense for the entire duration of Kendra's stay in Cleveland.  

There is a possibility of several trips back and forth to the clinic so multiple plane tickets is also a possible expense. 

I have watched my brother's family endure so much hardship over the years.  The recession also took its toll on the family.  My brother was in construction at the time. 

I am asking family, friends, and anyone else who can help to first PRAY for my sister-in-law's physical healing.  Then, consider donating to help my brother and sister-in-law take care of all her medical expenses.  This will take a huge burden off their shoulders so Kendra can concentrate on getting well and Shannon can concentrate on taking care of Kendra. 

Shannon and Kendra will travel to Cleveland, OH in the next few weeks so funds are needed as soon as possible.

The funds you donate to this cause will be used for:

Accumulating Medical Bills (They are extensive)
Medications
Tests
Treatments
Hotel Costs
Food
Gas if trips are made by car.
Airline Tickets if needed
Loss of Income if Shannon has to take FML

Thank you so much for any amount you can donate and especially for your prayers as Kendra and Shannon continue to endure this hard journey.