Paul's Second Chance
Donation protected
This is my cousin Paul Soliz, he is 35 years old and in just a matter of one year he went from living the life of a normal, healthy, young father to fighting for his life on a ventilator just one week ago.
Paul has always been into fitness and lifting weights, always encouraging others in their fitness journeys as well. Aside from his Asthma that was well controlled by medication, he's been relatively healthy his whole life. When Paul would get sick, he believed in trying to treat it at home before seeking medical help; like most people that like to avoid the doctor and the costs that come with it. Sometimes we can treat the symptoms at home with over the counter medications, in hopes that we get better on our own. This is exactly what Paul did when he had what he thought was a common cold over the holidays, only this time, it turned into something much more serious. His cough wasn't going away, it had been weeks and he noticed he was becoming increasingly short of breath. When he could no longer do his normal tasks such as mowing the lawn, he knew this was bigger than him and decided to seek medical help. It was February 2018 when he was diagnosed with double pneumonia. This was the beginning of his rapid decline.
As most people may already know, pneumonia can usually be treated effectively with antibiotics. Because of the severity of his double pneumonia, he was admitted into BSA hospital and treated accordingly. However, this was not your average case. He was informed at this time that his life would be forever changed, his lungs were so damaged and scarred from the untreated pneumonia, that he would have to be dependent on oxygen at all times, even at home. Paul took this life altering information in stride, he carried on and did what he had to do, after all he had his children to live for. After he was discharged home, Paul's condition only worsened. Shortly after, he was found at home by paramedics after calling 911 informing them he could no longer breathe.
The following months consisted of frequent ER visits due to respiratory distress to eventual frequent ICU admissions with respiratory failure. His lungs were terribly scarred due to these frequent severe infections, only worsening his ability to breathe. Due to his condition, Paul could no longer work. Naturally, his loved ones were becoming increasingly concerned and even frustrated, why does it seem like he is only getting worse, why isn't more being done to figure this out?? Due to persistence and luck, he was finally able to be seen at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, one of the leading medical facilities in the country for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) disorders. They are known for their ability to treat even the most complex of cases.
Mayo Clinic informed him that the only way his condition would improve was with a double lung transplant. Candidates for this transplant have a lung function of under 20%. By this time in July 2018, his lungs were functioning at 22%. He was severely sick, it was obvious he was in dire need of this transplant, but unfortunately he didn't quite meet the requirement. One month later, he underwent brain surgery, Mayo Clinic found fluid accumulating in his brain.
May 2019 his lung function was at 17%. While this is great news that he now qualified for the transplant, this was also devastating news because...well because his lung function was at 17% and he is only 35 years old.
The journey began to get him on the double lung transplant list, time was ticking. Paul was holding on for dear life, until he couldn't anymore. He was admitted to BSA hospital, intubated, and on a ventilator this past month. He was no longer breathing on his own. He was airlifted via Flight For Life helicopter to St. Joseph's in Phoenix, AZ. He was officially on the transplant list May 31, 2019. When you are on the list, your name and blood type are entered on the United Network for Organ Sharing's (UNOS) computerized national waiting list, and then you wait.
June 9th, 2019: Paul was informed that a donor pair of lungs were on their way, they were a 100% match! He underwent surgery the following morning.
After this type of surgery, complications are serious and sometimes fatal. Major risks include rejection of the new lungs and infection. For this reason, lung donation recipients like Paul must stay close to the transplant center for the following months. He must undergo frequent testing and medications to ensure long term survival. We are asking for help with relocation expenses, medications, lost wages and hospital bills for Paul.
Paul is that cousin you look forward to seeing at family gatherings, he's always ready for a good time, guaranteed to make you laugh someway somehow, and he will always have a smile on his face. Despite his own difficulties and struggles he is that guy that will ask how YOU'RE doing. Paul did not ask for this GoFundMe, he is humble and is grateful for prayers alone. We as his family have put this together, in hopes that family, friends, and the community can come together and help him in this time of need.
*** Paul and his family are forever grateful to his donor and his donor's family. May they rest in peace and their family be blessed, we are thankful for the selfless gift and for giving Paul another chance at life.***
Paul has always been into fitness and lifting weights, always encouraging others in their fitness journeys as well. Aside from his Asthma that was well controlled by medication, he's been relatively healthy his whole life. When Paul would get sick, he believed in trying to treat it at home before seeking medical help; like most people that like to avoid the doctor and the costs that come with it. Sometimes we can treat the symptoms at home with over the counter medications, in hopes that we get better on our own. This is exactly what Paul did when he had what he thought was a common cold over the holidays, only this time, it turned into something much more serious. His cough wasn't going away, it had been weeks and he noticed he was becoming increasingly short of breath. When he could no longer do his normal tasks such as mowing the lawn, he knew this was bigger than him and decided to seek medical help. It was February 2018 when he was diagnosed with double pneumonia. This was the beginning of his rapid decline.
As most people may already know, pneumonia can usually be treated effectively with antibiotics. Because of the severity of his double pneumonia, he was admitted into BSA hospital and treated accordingly. However, this was not your average case. He was informed at this time that his life would be forever changed, his lungs were so damaged and scarred from the untreated pneumonia, that he would have to be dependent on oxygen at all times, even at home. Paul took this life altering information in stride, he carried on and did what he had to do, after all he had his children to live for. After he was discharged home, Paul's condition only worsened. Shortly after, he was found at home by paramedics after calling 911 informing them he could no longer breathe.
The following months consisted of frequent ER visits due to respiratory distress to eventual frequent ICU admissions with respiratory failure. His lungs were terribly scarred due to these frequent severe infections, only worsening his ability to breathe. Due to his condition, Paul could no longer work. Naturally, his loved ones were becoming increasingly concerned and even frustrated, why does it seem like he is only getting worse, why isn't more being done to figure this out?? Due to persistence and luck, he was finally able to be seen at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, one of the leading medical facilities in the country for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) disorders. They are known for their ability to treat even the most complex of cases.
Mayo Clinic informed him that the only way his condition would improve was with a double lung transplant. Candidates for this transplant have a lung function of under 20%. By this time in July 2018, his lungs were functioning at 22%. He was severely sick, it was obvious he was in dire need of this transplant, but unfortunately he didn't quite meet the requirement. One month later, he underwent brain surgery, Mayo Clinic found fluid accumulating in his brain.
May 2019 his lung function was at 17%. While this is great news that he now qualified for the transplant, this was also devastating news because...well because his lung function was at 17% and he is only 35 years old.
The journey began to get him on the double lung transplant list, time was ticking. Paul was holding on for dear life, until he couldn't anymore. He was admitted to BSA hospital, intubated, and on a ventilator this past month. He was no longer breathing on his own. He was airlifted via Flight For Life helicopter to St. Joseph's in Phoenix, AZ. He was officially on the transplant list May 31, 2019. When you are on the list, your name and blood type are entered on the United Network for Organ Sharing's (UNOS) computerized national waiting list, and then you wait.
June 9th, 2019: Paul was informed that a donor pair of lungs were on their way, they were a 100% match! He underwent surgery the following morning.
After this type of surgery, complications are serious and sometimes fatal. Major risks include rejection of the new lungs and infection. For this reason, lung donation recipients like Paul must stay close to the transplant center for the following months. He must undergo frequent testing and medications to ensure long term survival. We are asking for help with relocation expenses, medications, lost wages and hospital bills for Paul.
Paul is that cousin you look forward to seeing at family gatherings, he's always ready for a good time, guaranteed to make you laugh someway somehow, and he will always have a smile on his face. Despite his own difficulties and struggles he is that guy that will ask how YOU'RE doing. Paul did not ask for this GoFundMe, he is humble and is grateful for prayers alone. We as his family have put this together, in hopes that family, friends, and the community can come together and help him in this time of need.
*** Paul and his family are forever grateful to his donor and his donor's family. May they rest in peace and their family be blessed, we are thankful for the selfless gift and for giving Paul another chance at life.***
Organizer and beneficiary
Veronica Amero
Organizer
Amarillo, TX
Krystal Salas
Beneficiary