Mom's Double Lung Transplant Medical Expenses

It’s been almost two months since my mom was given a chance to breathe on her own again.

An organ donor, my mom's incredible strength, an incredibly talented medical team at the Cleveland Clinic, her friend's support, her partner's support, and years of doctor visits made it possible.

My mom spent over four weeks in the ICU, and now faces a long road ahead. Physical therapy will be vital as she builds the strength to walk again.

Medical visits will be frequent as her body adapts to her new lungs.

The journey continues, and anyone that has experienced an organ transplant first or secondhand knows that it’s a long road ahead, but one that will be extended and eventually less painful. More time to enjoy the joys of life made possible by the spirit of another human.

My mom has been fortunate to receive financial support from friends and family, but the medical costs will continue to pile up. The quality and ease of care often correlate to what one can afford. Easing my mom’s financial burden will help her receive the care she needs and, most importantly, relieve some stress.

I’m writing to share with you that my mom continues to fight on and is tremendously thankful for the kind words and support throughout this process. She could not have done it without so many friends, family, her husband, medical staff, her organ donor recipient mentors, and of course, her organ donor.

We will also continue to show support for those who have experienced an organ transplant and support those who have lost a loved one whose vital organs were able to improve another human's life. My mom will continue to give back to this community in need of support.

A little more background:

My mom was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, an auto-immune disease, several years ago.

RA attacks your joints but also affects the functionality of two vital organs, your heart and lungs.

The arthritis foundation sums it up best:

“Besides the joints, the inflammatory process that underlies rheumatoid arthritis (RA) also affects other parts of the body, including the lungs, skin, eyes, digestive system, heart and blood vessels. RA-related lung complications are the most common extra-articular (“outside of the joints”) symptoms of RA and include pulmonary nodules (small growths in the lungs); pleural effusion (a buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall); bronchiectasis (damage to the airways); and interstitial lung disease (ILD).

In fact, it is estimated that 1 in 10 people with rheumatoid arthritis will develop ILD over the course of their disease, making it as deadly among people with RA as congestive heart failure.”

She was also diagnosed with Pulmonary hypertension. This happens when the pressure in the blood vessels from the heart to the lungs is too high. With pulmonary hypertension, the blood vessels to the lungs develop an increased amount of muscle in the wall of the blood vessels.

At 61, she was put on oxygen due to her condition. The timing could not have been worse. A virus that attacked the lungs was sweeping the globe, causing a pandemic. Her doctors put her in the highest risk category, instructing her to stay away from others. If she contracted the virus, it would lead to severe illness and potential death. Neighbors dropped off care packages, her husband made frequent grocery store runs, and her birthday was celebrated in the driveway from afar (thanks to Charlie and his pig city citizens). Despite her best efforts to stay positive, this devastated her mental well-being. Restrictions were harsh for all, but her restrictions remained intact two years later.

My mother has been fortunate to receive some of the best care in the world at the Cleveland Clinic. As a result, she was put on the list for a double lunch transport. A daunting, technical, and lengthy procedure, but one that will allow her to breathe freely again and prolong her life.

The importance of being an organ donor is well known but not something experienced firsthand often.

I wrote this post not to ask for your condolences, but to spread awareness about this disease, to consider being an organ donor, to not take every breath for granted, to practice breathwork, to hug your loved ones, and to be kind to others.

My mom is fortunate to have received some financial support, but with little time to prepare for a life-saving procedure, the financial burden is still present and will be felt beyond her recovery. Her life will be changed for the better by another human's willingness to pass their vital organs onto another being.

If you can contribute, your willingness is greatly appreciated.

My mother has already paid it forward by offering a quiet place to reflect, sleep, and heal to a successful double lung transplant husband in need of a bed close to the surgery center.