LUNGS FOR STEPHEN FITCH
Donation protected
UPDATED**
Stephen is 34 years old. He was born with the genetic disorder Cystic Fibrosis. A defective gene causes a thick, sticky buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage, and eventually, respiratory failure.
Anyone who knows Stephen knows what an amazing heart he has. He would give the shirt off of his back to anyone in need. He is an unbelievable son, brother, cousin, friend and husband. Stephen and Amanda were married in 2014. He inherited two amazing bonus daughters from their union. He has been such a marvelous bonus dad to the girls! Doing all the dad things you can think of. He has been so blessed with such an great wife and support system. He is a true Cystic Fibrosis Warrior.
Stephen has spent his life in and out of the hospital to fight infection. Even being hospitalized through Hurricane Katrina and having to rescued from the aftermath. These hospital stays have become more frequent. Last year, he experienced his lung collapsing. Lung transplant was discussed then, but he thought he had more time. Then, recently he accepted that he needed help breathing and was put on 24 hour oxygen. Something we take for granted, breathing, has become increasing more and more difficult for him.
Last week, he was admitted to the hospital with another lung infection. The doctors are now adamant that a lung transplant is necessary. Another huge obstacle is that the doctor is in New York. The condition of his lungs makes flying difficult. He will need to be on a ventilator to fly. Even though he has Medicare, they are only going to pay 80%. He and his family have to cover the 20%. Unfortunately, Medicare isn’t paying any of his flight and transportation. The cost of the flight alone is $20,000. Tulane Medical Center has donated $4000 to his transportation costs. Monte Fiore Medical Center, the hospital where he will be under the care of a transplant team, (pending approval) has offered to donate $10,000 to his flight. This shows the level of care he will receive upon arrival. However, this doesn’t include what he will have to pay when he is in the hospital. The amount of time he will be hospitalized is unknown. Also his wife will have to quit her job to go back and forth from Louisiana to New York to take care of him and their two kids. This means they will not have the income to pay for their day to day living while she tries to take care of two different households.
When he arrives in New York, he will be put on an ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine. ECMO is an advanced life support technique used for patients with life-threatening heart and/or lung problems. ECMO provides long-term breathing and heart support and is used only when all of the standard treatments for those problems have already been tried. He will have to wait for a pair of lungs and remain there afterward until he is recovered from surgery.
ANYTHING you can give will help and be such a blessing. If you can’t give please offer prayers. We are so grateful for everyone who has already given and who are sending prayers and love. We will do our best to update you on his condition through this journey. THANKS AGAIN. Agape’
Stephen is 34 years old. He was born with the genetic disorder Cystic Fibrosis. A defective gene causes a thick, sticky buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage, and eventually, respiratory failure.
Anyone who knows Stephen knows what an amazing heart he has. He would give the shirt off of his back to anyone in need. He is an unbelievable son, brother, cousin, friend and husband. Stephen and Amanda were married in 2014. He inherited two amazing bonus daughters from their union. He has been such a marvelous bonus dad to the girls! Doing all the dad things you can think of. He has been so blessed with such an great wife and support system. He is a true Cystic Fibrosis Warrior.
Stephen has spent his life in and out of the hospital to fight infection. Even being hospitalized through Hurricane Katrina and having to rescued from the aftermath. These hospital stays have become more frequent. Last year, he experienced his lung collapsing. Lung transplant was discussed then, but he thought he had more time. Then, recently he accepted that he needed help breathing and was put on 24 hour oxygen. Something we take for granted, breathing, has become increasing more and more difficult for him.
Last week, he was admitted to the hospital with another lung infection. The doctors are now adamant that a lung transplant is necessary. Another huge obstacle is that the doctor is in New York. The condition of his lungs makes flying difficult. He will need to be on a ventilator to fly. Even though he has Medicare, they are only going to pay 80%. He and his family have to cover the 20%. Unfortunately, Medicare isn’t paying any of his flight and transportation. The cost of the flight alone is $20,000. Tulane Medical Center has donated $4000 to his transportation costs. Monte Fiore Medical Center, the hospital where he will be under the care of a transplant team, (pending approval) has offered to donate $10,000 to his flight. This shows the level of care he will receive upon arrival. However, this doesn’t include what he will have to pay when he is in the hospital. The amount of time he will be hospitalized is unknown. Also his wife will have to quit her job to go back and forth from Louisiana to New York to take care of him and their two kids. This means they will not have the income to pay for their day to day living while she tries to take care of two different households.
When he arrives in New York, he will be put on an ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine. ECMO is an advanced life support technique used for patients with life-threatening heart and/or lung problems. ECMO provides long-term breathing and heart support and is used only when all of the standard treatments for those problems have already been tried. He will have to wait for a pair of lungs and remain there afterward until he is recovered from surgery.
ANYTHING you can give will help and be such a blessing. If you can’t give please offer prayers. We are so grateful for everyone who has already given and who are sending prayers and love. We will do our best to update you on his condition through this journey. THANKS AGAIN. Agape’
Organizer and beneficiary
Jonah Kandace Lawson
Organizer
Houma, LA
Amanda Fitch
Beneficiary