**please read further down for an update on Nicholas**

Hi, my name is Kelsee Snyder. I am the wife of Nicholas Snyder. I am writing this because our worlds have turned upside down, especially Nick's. It all started in roughly about late August/early September of 2021. Nick's health started to decline rapidly. He was going to doctor's appointments with no health insurance trying to figure out what is wrong. He finally saw a gastroenterologist and had blood work done. By this time it was almost the end of September. He got a call from the doctor he needed to go to the emergency room ASAP due to his liver levels and kidney levels being " extremely bad" as the doctor quoted. He was admitted to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center on September 24, 2021 for liver failure and kidney failure. He was discharged on September 28, 2021. Upon his discharge, he was on numerous medications without any health insurance. Everything was paid out of pocket. He had follow up appointments. Then, exactly 6 months later, the same issues were happening again, he was jaundice. He went to Conemaugh where he waited 24 hours in the waiting room with no IVs like he was told. The next day he was taken to UPMC in Altoona where he was admitted again for kindey and liver failure. Upon discharge, he was on medications and referred to follow up with a liver specialist in Pittsburgh. He got an appointment for a few days later. It was confirmed he has cirrhosis of the liver which we are unsure of the cause and it was getting worse. He suffered from steroid induced acne from the prednisone he was on for months which caused bleeding when they were accidentally scratched off from being itchy (due to the liver). Fast foward to June of 2022. Things have gotten a lot worse. He was sleeping 20 hours a day, not eating, and did not know what was going on. He was admitted to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center again on June 17th. His ammonia levels were dangerously high and it was important to bring those levels down. This time, in addition to kidney and liver failure, he had fluid between the chest wall and the lungs, medically known as pleural effusion. He had to see a cardiologist in the hospital and get multiple tests done. The complications have caused swollen legs and feet. On July 6th, 2022, Nick followed up with his liver doctor where he was told he is going to need a liver transplant. On a transplant scale he is at a 23 which means a living liver donor. If he gets above a 29 it will be a whole liver from someone who is an organ donor upon passing. He was also told he will likely end up in the hospital a few more times before he gets a transplant. As his wife, I was not surprised but I was scared. Nick was also told to continue the expensive antibiotic, xifaxan. A physicians assistant from his primary care doctor gave him a 30 day supply of samples but he will not have enough to continue as directed from the liver doctor in Pittsburgh. He is scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound on Monday July 18. Nick also has alot of leaps to jump through to be put on the liver transplant list. He goes back to the liver specialist in September. Due to his overwhelming number of health problems, Nick is unable to work. He has not worked since July of 2021 (due to things out of his control). With him unable to work, it means we are struggling to keep up with monthly bills- such as the mortgage, water, eletric, sewage and much more. Also, it has become rough to pay for all the bills from the 3 hospital stays and for out of pocket doctor's appointments. I am working full time trying to make ends meet. We are not the type of people to do something like this but Nick's health is more important and having a safe place to call home to get through it all is important as well.

 **NICK HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED 2 TIMES IN JULY OF 2023. THINGS HAVE DECLINED RAPIDLY. HE IS BEING TRANSFERRED FROM CONEMAUGH MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER TO UPMC PRESBYTERIAN IN PITTSBURGH. He has a low hemoglobin and with it happening so frequently, conemaugh is not equipped to handle if things decline. Nick has been out of the ICU for a few days now. Hes on a regular floor and is looking alot better. 

All proceeds raised will go to monthly bills, medical bills, medications, transportation to and from Pittsburgh (such as gas) and overnight stays in Pittsburgh for his mother and I. Keep in mind, no amount is too small, anything donated will be greatly appreciated 

Thank you for your time.

10/4/23

Nick passed away peacefully at home surrounded by myself, his mother, 2 dogs and cat. He put up a good fight. All proceeds go to monthly bills, finances left behind by Nicholas.