Support Jeff Davis’s Battle with Post-Transplant Lymphoma

Hello, all!

We are the children of Jeff Davis - a loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, friend, sports enthusiast, math guy.

Over the last year, he has been plagued on and off by manageable health concerns that as of a few months ago have become infinitely less manageable. We would like to share a summary of what the last few months have entailed, and, in the end, we will ask for your assistance.

For years, Jeff suffered from increasing pain and trouble walking from what was thought to be disc problems and sciatica. It was eventually discovered that the problem was avascular necrosis of his femur which resulted in the need for a total hip replacement. Following a successful hip replacement surgery, and on the verge of returning to work, Jeff developed an accumulation of fluid which shifted to his lungs. This resulted in a sudden onset of acute respiratory failure. Jeff was hospitalized locally for 12 days, but the exact underlying cause was not determined, and he was sent home on oxygen. On Father's Day, Jeff suffered an even more severe episode of respiratory failure. During this hospital admission, the team informed us that this was a result of a hepatic hydrothorax, a lung fluid build-up that occurs in 6% of patients with portal hypertension. Of this 6%, 97% experience one-sided fluid accumulations, but Jeff fell into the unfortunate 3% who experience bilateral lung involvement. Symptoms became life-threatening, and as a result, he had to be sent by air ambulance to Shands in Gainesville, FL.

Admitted to the thoracic ICU, Jeff began numerous tests to evaluate his heart and lungs. A previously unknown blood clot in his liver's portal vein was partially obstructing liver function and contributing to the fluid build-up. The critical care doctors became increasingly concerned about additional problems with both his heart and lungs. One problem was related to a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart that should close after birth. For Jeff, the opening had remained into adulthood and has created a shunt that is now challenging his heart and oxygen levels with the increased stress caused by the lung fluid accumulation. Another finding was scarring of his lungs from an unknown source. After additional diagnostic testing, they determined he has a form of interstitial lung disease from an unknown underlying condition which is also reacting to this fluid shift. Liver transplantation is the only life-prolonging intervention available for patients with hepatic hydrothorax.

Jeff remains in the ICU for symptom management while he awaits liver transplant. He is currently listed, but the timeframe is unknown.

Those of you who know our dad Jeff and our mom Gina (whom has been the most phenomenal caretaker and medical advocate) know they would never ask anyone for anything, so we are asking for your help on their behalf. Even with medical insurance, the costs of extended ICU care, air transport, extensive diagnostic testing, transplant surgery, and the maintenance medications that will be needed post-surgery are staggering, especially while being unable to work. While we can do little to ease the physical and emotional burdens for now, we are hoping to reduce the financial burden with your help. Any contribution is sincerely appreciated. We have listed Gina as the beneficiary so that she is able to allocate funds as needed during Jeff’s recovery. Thank you so much for considering and for keeping our family in your thoughts.

Kristina, Alecia, Adam, and Lindsay