On the morning of March 12, 2018, I awoke to find my husband, Jim, in the restroom with his hands clasped praying to God to just take him now. Three hours later an emergency room doctor asked us if we were aware that he had kidney disease. To say the least we did not. Jim was immediately admitted and scheduled for surgery to remove his right kidney and a 9cm attached tumor. Ultimately the pathology report would reveal that he has Stage 3 renal cell cancer. Additionally he is facing other issues that are felt to be a result of the kidney damage.
At this time Jim is unable to work and it is uncertain if he will ever be able to work again. Spiritually he remains the awesome guy I married, but physically this has taken a devastating toll on him. As such the process of applying for SSDI and Medicaid has been initiated but as anyone who has gone through that process knows, it is doubtful it will result in his favor right off the bat or at anytime in the near future. Additionally Jim is a Veteran and we have reason to believe that the kidney damage and other issues he's had and continues to have are the direct result of medications he was prescribed by the VA primarily over the past eight years for high blood pressure that were never brought to our attention. Yet that too is a long and arduous process with an agency that is sworn to advocate for veterans, but often seems to assume a more adversarial role.
Our immediate concern is to try to reduce the risk of further damage which requires he be on a strict low sodium, and low potassium diet that puts a huge ding on our pockets. Additionally our only car is out of commission and need of expensive repairs. We have located a company that assist veterans that is willing to do the repairs free of charge but we have to update the registration, insurance, and pay for all parts.
The sums that we are asking for assistance in raising will help keep us afloat for the next few months, and make it possible to address more urgent immediate needs in the interim of his being approved for long-term assistance. To date our son has been our sole source of ongoing support. Our other children and extended family members have endeavored to pick up some of the slack and take the pressure off him, but their coffers are now virtually depleted. Recently the situation was made worse by the joyous birth of our newest grandson has caused our son to have to make the difficult choice of re-prioritizing his financial priorities....a situation we would never by choice have put him in. As such we find ourselves reaching out to other family members and friends to get by. ANY assistance, no matter how small the contribution will be graciously and greatly appreciated.
At this time Jim is unable to work and it is uncertain if he will ever be able to work again. Spiritually he remains the awesome guy I married, but physically this has taken a devastating toll on him. As such the process of applying for SSDI and Medicaid has been initiated but as anyone who has gone through that process knows, it is doubtful it will result in his favor right off the bat or at anytime in the near future. Additionally Jim is a Veteran and we have reason to believe that the kidney damage and other issues he's had and continues to have are the direct result of medications he was prescribed by the VA primarily over the past eight years for high blood pressure that were never brought to our attention. Yet that too is a long and arduous process with an agency that is sworn to advocate for veterans, but often seems to assume a more adversarial role.
Our immediate concern is to try to reduce the risk of further damage which requires he be on a strict low sodium, and low potassium diet that puts a huge ding on our pockets. Additionally our only car is out of commission and need of expensive repairs. We have located a company that assist veterans that is willing to do the repairs free of charge but we have to update the registration, insurance, and pay for all parts.
The sums that we are asking for assistance in raising will help keep us afloat for the next few months, and make it possible to address more urgent immediate needs in the interim of his being approved for long-term assistance. To date our son has been our sole source of ongoing support. Our other children and extended family members have endeavored to pick up some of the slack and take the pressure off him, but their coffers are now virtually depleted. Recently the situation was made worse by the joyous birth of our newest grandson has caused our son to have to make the difficult choice of re-prioritizing his financial priorities....a situation we would never by choice have put him in. As such we find ourselves reaching out to other family members and friends to get by. ANY assistance, no matter how small the contribution will be graciously and greatly appreciated.