KR Battles Another Crohn’s Flare With Surgery
Our son Kevin, (KR to many) was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at the early age of 12. It is a disease that affects the large intestines and causes inflammation. The road since has been a long one, marked by many flares, doctor visits, medications, surgeries, and hospital stays. In March of 2011, Kevin opted for an ileostomy, a procedure which could offer him the opportunity for a more pain free, less frustrating lifestyle, and the ability to incorporate a more balanced diet. Unfortunately, soon after he this was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Studies show that less than 5% of people living with ulcerative Colitis are eventually diagnosed with Crohns. In the summer of 2019 Kevin experienced a Crohns flare up that lead to infections. He spent countless days and weeks at Shore Memorial Center in Somers Point, NJ and the Hospital of Pennsylvania (HUP). Once he was at home, he was put on a clear liquid diet and 2 daily home infusions - one an antibiotic and the other TPN for his nutrition. This left him home bound for months, unable work and receive income. At summers end, once feeling well enough to return to work and other daily activities he got a sepsis infection from his PICC line. This put him back in the hospital with intolerable low back pain that he is still suffering from today
Kevin is now scheduled for another surgery on February 28, 2020 at HUP. Continuing complications from the Crohns has left him unable to be treated by any medication. Kevin is expected to be home for 2-3 weeks recovering, again unable to work. Knowing new medical bills will be confronting them yet again, it has become a grave concern for Kevin and his wife Lauren. They have 3 young daughters, a new home, and puppy to care for, as well as all the on going medical bills from his treatments and hospitals stay from his summer flare up.
On August 19 of last year, just days after Kevin had returned from HUP, he participated in the Guts and Glory race in Ocean City, NJ along with the support of family and friends. His KRAP squad raised close to $3,000 for the crohns and colitis foundation!
NOW more than ever he could use your support to get him through this next recovery period while trying to confront the responsibility of how to pay for it all! He was (and is) blessed to have so many supporting his battle over the past 26 years and is hesitant to ask for help one more time, but he realizes he can not do this without your help!! Please consider donating to our son and his family as no contribution is too small to make an impact.
