Kim's Journey to Find New Lungs

Kim was first diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) in September of 2013. This rare form of lung disease, when left untreated, results in a lifespan of 3-5 years beyond diagnosis. In the fall of 2016, Kim’s doctors began discussing her need for double lung transplant, and by August 2017 she was placed on the transplant list. During this time, her doctors also told her she was in the end stages of the disease.


Until now, Kim had spent much of her time in a Dallas hospital, where her team of specialists cared for her, with some short stays at home with her 2 children (ages 17 & 24) and husband. However, Kim’s transplant team recently told her that she has a high number of antibodies in her blood as the result of two life-saving blood transfusions, as well as her two pregnancies. These antibodies not only narrow the field of suitable donors, but it also increases the likelihood of rejection after transplantation.


Unfortunately, as a result of these antibodies, Kim’s transplant team in Dallas could no longer treat her so she was transferred to Spectrum Health Butterworth, in Grand Rapids Michigan. This hospital 1) specializes in desensitization of antibodies to increase her chances of finding a suitable donor, 2) specializes in Pulmonary Hypertension, and 3) specializes in double lung transplantation. This move for Kim has been, without question, her only chance for receiving the lungs she so desperately needs. However, Kim is now hundreds of miles from her husband and children. The unfortunate reality to all of this is that Kim’s husband will need to stay in the Dallas area and work so that she can continue to have medical insurance.


Kim is blessed to have insurance that pays nearly all her medical expenses. What it does not cover, however, is for her family to travel back and forth to be with her in Michigan. It also does not pay for any accommodations for Kim and her caretaker in Michigan, or for a caretaker to be with her 24/7, since she will be without her children and husband who were caring for her at home in Dallas.


First and foremost, Kim needs your prayers. Please pray for her team in Grand Rapids and for her to have the strength and remain in good enough health to see this process through. And secondly, if your heart leads you, please consider a love donation for her family. Kim and her family are too humble to ask for help, but she has fought as hard as she can.  She now needs an army of friends and loved ones to fight alongside her. No mother wants to leave their family behind in a time like this, but she had no choice. My hopes and prayers are that we can ease that burden by offering the means for her family to be with her as much as possible.