Overcoming Life's Obstacles
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Hello friends, family and kind hearted strangers.
My name is Chad. I am a 32 year old guy who has a big heart and loves life. I have always been able to help others who are in need, but when it comes to myself, I put myself aside. Asking for help is extremely hard for me to do, but at this point in my life I have to swallow my pride and ask for help.
Over the last three years my life has been a rollercoaster of medical ups and downs. In June of 2016 I was rushed into the Edson hospital with a fever of 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit and could barely breath. The hospital was unable to give me the appropriate care so I was then rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton where I was admitted into the ICU. I was so far gone and at that time the doctors could not diagnose the problem. They told my family to prepare for the worst.
After numerous tests and being loaded with steroids over the next few days, I started to stabilize. Once coherent the doctors diagnosed me with an incurable autoimmune disease which lead to the second diagnoses of having PCP (pneumocystis pneumonia).
Over the next month and a bit I went through numerous procedures and tests, as well as extensive treatment to try and make me better. I was then released from the hospital and able to go home. But with being so weak and having such a compromised immune system, I was unable to go back to work for 6 months. Being off work for so long and having to pay for all of life's expenses as well as countless trips back and forth to see the specialist in Edmonton, put me far in debt.
Once I finally got the clearance to go back to work I was ecstatic! I worked as hard as I could so that could start paying off the debt I incurred from being so sick. Close to the end 2017 I started getting pain in my left hip, and by spring of 2018 the pain was excruciating and I was having a difficult time getting around.
Over the summer of 2018 I had a bunch of x-rays and CT scans done to try and figure out what was going on with my hip. My doctor then sent me for a MRI and as soon as he got the results he wanted to see me right away. I was then diagnosed with Stage III Avascular Necrosis of the left femoral head along with other medical lingo.
My doctor sent in a referral for me to see an orthopaedic surgeon to discuss treatment options. After a couple appointments the only treatment option for me is to have a Total Hip Replacement.
My surgery date is set for July 3, 2019. In preparation for surgery I have had to get clearances from my specialist in Edmonton as well as a dental clearance. In order to get my dental clearance I had to get a cleaning and fix the issues in my mouth which cost me just over $2400. As there are risks with any surgery, my risks are higher because of being immunocompromised.
I will be off work recovering for about 3 to 4 months. Being young, my medical team will be sending me for extensive physiotherapy so that I can get full range of motion back in the joint. Being in the financial place that I am from all the medical problems I have had over the last few years has put me in a hard place.
I will have to cover many expenses including physiotherapy, medications, some assisted living aids, as well has my day to day bills and expenses. Not being able to work again is going to make doing this extremely hard to do.
With all that said, I am reaching out to my friends, family and community to help me raise money to be able to have this surgery and have some of the financial weight lifted off my shoulders.
Any amount that you are able to give is greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small! If you are unable to help financially you can still help by sharing my story with people you know.
Thanking everyone in advance from the bottom of my heart!
Chad Kowalchuk
My name is Chad. I am a 32 year old guy who has a big heart and loves life. I have always been able to help others who are in need, but when it comes to myself, I put myself aside. Asking for help is extremely hard for me to do, but at this point in my life I have to swallow my pride and ask for help.
Over the last three years my life has been a rollercoaster of medical ups and downs. In June of 2016 I was rushed into the Edson hospital with a fever of 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit and could barely breath. The hospital was unable to give me the appropriate care so I was then rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton where I was admitted into the ICU. I was so far gone and at that time the doctors could not diagnose the problem. They told my family to prepare for the worst.
After numerous tests and being loaded with steroids over the next few days, I started to stabilize. Once coherent the doctors diagnosed me with an incurable autoimmune disease which lead to the second diagnoses of having PCP (pneumocystis pneumonia).
Over the next month and a bit I went through numerous procedures and tests, as well as extensive treatment to try and make me better. I was then released from the hospital and able to go home. But with being so weak and having such a compromised immune system, I was unable to go back to work for 6 months. Being off work for so long and having to pay for all of life's expenses as well as countless trips back and forth to see the specialist in Edmonton, put me far in debt.
Once I finally got the clearance to go back to work I was ecstatic! I worked as hard as I could so that could start paying off the debt I incurred from being so sick. Close to the end 2017 I started getting pain in my left hip, and by spring of 2018 the pain was excruciating and I was having a difficult time getting around.
Over the summer of 2018 I had a bunch of x-rays and CT scans done to try and figure out what was going on with my hip. My doctor then sent me for a MRI and as soon as he got the results he wanted to see me right away. I was then diagnosed with Stage III Avascular Necrosis of the left femoral head along with other medical lingo.
My doctor sent in a referral for me to see an orthopaedic surgeon to discuss treatment options. After a couple appointments the only treatment option for me is to have a Total Hip Replacement.
My surgery date is set for July 3, 2019. In preparation for surgery I have had to get clearances from my specialist in Edmonton as well as a dental clearance. In order to get my dental clearance I had to get a cleaning and fix the issues in my mouth which cost me just over $2400. As there are risks with any surgery, my risks are higher because of being immunocompromised.
I will be off work recovering for about 3 to 4 months. Being young, my medical team will be sending me for extensive physiotherapy so that I can get full range of motion back in the joint. Being in the financial place that I am from all the medical problems I have had over the last few years has put me in a hard place.
I will have to cover many expenses including physiotherapy, medications, some assisted living aids, as well has my day to day bills and expenses. Not being able to work again is going to make doing this extremely hard to do.
With all that said, I am reaching out to my friends, family and community to help me raise money to be able to have this surgery and have some of the financial weight lifted off my shoulders.
Any amount that you are able to give is greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small! If you are unable to help financially you can still help by sharing my story with people you know.
Thanking everyone in advance from the bottom of my heart!
Chad Kowalchuk
Organizer
Chad Kowalchuk
Organizer
Edson, AB