A breath of fresh air
Donation protected
As many of you know, I have Cystic Fibrosis. CF is a genetic disease that has primarily affected my lungs. It has caused chronic respiratory infections and ultimately has robbed me of the ability to breathe. My current lung capacity is about 25% of what a normal adult my age would be.
In many ways I have been fortunate. When I was diagnosed, life expectancy for people with CF was 30 years. This November I will be 47 years old. But I've gone as far as I can go with my lungs and I need a new pair. Transplant surgery is very difficult and costly. Insurance covers some of those costs, but much of the burden for post surgery medicine and care will be borne by me. In order to be qualify for this surgery I must be able to demonstrate that I can afford those costs.
It is no small thing to ask your friends and neighbors for a hand. Indeed it is quite humbling. I am scheduled to be listed for transplant this week and I will meet with the finance people at UCLA on Wednesday. The situation is urgent. To those who can help, I appreciate your assistance. To those who can't, I understand and don't feel guilty. I will keep you posted on my progress and when I go in for surgery. I suspect the timeline will be rather short, one way or the other.
In the end, whatever happens, I feel fortunate for all the opportunities I was given. I marvel at the journey I have taken from East LA. It seems so long ago yet I remember vividly my first day of school at Stevenson when my mom dropped me off and cried. Forty years later, I finally understood when I took my own children for their first day of school. Perhaps I have one or two more first days of school in my future.
In many ways I have been fortunate. When I was diagnosed, life expectancy for people with CF was 30 years. This November I will be 47 years old. But I've gone as far as I can go with my lungs and I need a new pair. Transplant surgery is very difficult and costly. Insurance covers some of those costs, but much of the burden for post surgery medicine and care will be borne by me. In order to be qualify for this surgery I must be able to demonstrate that I can afford those costs.
It is no small thing to ask your friends and neighbors for a hand. Indeed it is quite humbling. I am scheduled to be listed for transplant this week and I will meet with the finance people at UCLA on Wednesday. The situation is urgent. To those who can help, I appreciate your assistance. To those who can't, I understand and don't feel guilty. I will keep you posted on my progress and when I go in for surgery. I suspect the timeline will be rather short, one way or the other.
In the end, whatever happens, I feel fortunate for all the opportunities I was given. I marvel at the journey I have taken from East LA. It seems so long ago yet I remember vividly my first day of school at Stevenson when my mom dropped me off and cried. Forty years later, I finally understood when I took my own children for their first day of school. Perhaps I have one or two more first days of school in my future.
Organizer
Guillermo Gonzalez
Organizer
Pomona, CA
