Harlan has died.

On the day of Harlan's 51st birthday we held a memorial service for him. I don't know what I am doing. I just know that I don't want to do this.

Harlan died after a long battle with End Stage Renal Disease. Harlan developed calciphylaxis that destroyed his body leaving him in excruciating pain.

I miss him so much more than I thought was possible. He is my beshert.

There are so many stories I could tell you about Harlan and his abilities to fix things, build things or the work he has done already to make our house a home. This is not about what he could do, it's about what he needs help with now.

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In September Harlan had a below the knee amputation. He is now in a wheelchair. He has developed Peripheral Artery Disease secondary to End Stage Renal Disease. This complication of dialysis has taken his independence. He can no longer get around our home. The hardest part is that he cannot get into or out of our home without having to butt scoot up and down cold, dirty cement steps. My husband, who could fix almost anything, can't fix this. The simple fact that there is no safe way for him to get in and out of the house is terrifying.

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Harlan needs a ramp.

Harlan needs adaptive equipment.

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Inside our home there are doorways that need to be made wider. A task that Harlan could have done. Now, he cannot. The doorway into the bathroom is too narrow. The bathroom does not accommodate a wheelchair. Insurance doesn't cover these costs.

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Harlan needs doors widened.

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In the (nearly) six years since he had his only kidney removed due to a very invasive tumor he has dealt with many setbacks and surgeries with as much humor as possible. He has been through at least 100 surgeries since December 2015. No kidneys meant going on dialysis for the foreseeable future. The best care he could get was at home so we turned the house upside down and set up dialysis equipment in our bedroom.

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Harlan needs your help, please.

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Thank you for for reading,

Jennifer

...Harlan's wife