Edit to Fundraiser 5/16/2022:
This is Susie Martin. I originally started this fund raiser for Wayne Hartsburg (and his family) in summer 2021, when Wayne's kidney (donated by brother Isaac) showed signs of rejection. This story began late July of 2021, and you can see my original posting BELOW.
Since that time, Wayne's been thru numerous medical procedures and most recently, he received a donor kidney. However, Wayne and his family are not out of the woods....NOT BY A LONG SHOT...and they still need our help. Currently, Wayne's new kidney is showing concerns for rejection. This is worrisome. Wayne and Ellen will periodically share updates here, but i wanted to give a quick update as well....because we need to increase the total funds needed.
***There are so many "out of pocket" expenses with a medical problem like this- just consider gas, meals out, care for children, household
expenses, lost work (Ellen is current breadwinner and she is off work; Wayne is not able to work right now), hotel rooms near the hospital, phone bills, insurance, etc etc. It's overwhelming.
PLEASE CARE AND SHARE IN WHATEVER WAYS YOU CAN. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS. WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
Hi! My name is Susie Martin. I am initiating this fund raiser for Wayne Hartsburg because Wayne, and his family, needs our help right now! As many of you know , Wayne received a donor kidney from his brother, Isaac, five years ago and has been doing very well since then. However, Wayne became ill two weeks ago and thru a series of events (hospital transfer, testing and more testing, surgical procedures, etc), Wayne is now at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, Texas--2.5 hours from home-- and is being treated for full rejection of his new kidney. Understandably, this is devastating news.
The good news is that Wayne is receiving the most aggressive anti-rejection therapy- at an excellent medical center- to save this kidney. As Ellen says, "There is still hope. There is a clear treatment path". Home dialysis and /or another kidney transplant are also on the radar, if this treatment is unsuccessful. Please keep praying.
Wayne's wife, Ellen, is remaining at his bedside at Baylor. Please keep Ellen in your prayers, as she's got nerves of steel and is being a strong advocate for Wayne....but we know that she is exhausted too. (Ellen also has practical needs such lunch money, gas money, and a host of other things to keep going- send snacks! :) Ellen is currently on leave from her job; this is also a hardship. The children- Todd and Elaine- are well cared for by local friends and grandparents, who traveled from Indiana to help at this time.
I have known Wayne Hartsburg since he was about two years old. (Wayne is the same age as our younger daughter). Our family knows Wayne's parents and siblings very well; we attended church and lived in the same community as the Hartsburgs for years and years. As a nurse practitioner, I was one of many mentors who encouraged Wayne in his pursuit of becoming a registered nurse. I can vouch for the integrity and strong character of both Wayne and Ellen. They are a beautiful young couple who are good financial stewards. They've worked so hard to move on with their lives in the last 5 years; We want to encourage and lift them up at this most difficult time. Financial help is the most practical way to offer our support.
Wayne and Ellen were reluctant to allow the start of this fundraiser but after some discussion, they agreed to accept help.
Thank you for your consideration regarding this special fund raiser for a special man and his family.