Out of work from transplant
Donation protected
Hello,
My name is Robert "Bud" Garcia. I am a married father of 4 sons and I am asking for help.
I have developed Cirrhosis of the liver from a condition named nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Which basically means, due to losing the battle of the bulge for most of my life my liver built up a lot of fat deposits that caused much scarring rendering my liver near failure.
Most of the time this disease is seen in people in their 50s and 60s, I am only 32 but have been overweight since a young child.
I found out I had this illness after puking a liter or two of blood "out of the blue" one morning. That led to a 5 day stay in my local ICU, 3 transfusions, and almost a month out of work.
Due to the NASH, I also developed Esophageal varices, which develop when normal blood flow to the liver is obstructed by scar tissue in the liver or a clot. Seeking a way around the blockages, blood flows into smaller blood vessels that are not designed to carry large volumes of blood. The vessels may leak blood or even rupture, causing life-threatening bleeding.
From August of 2014 to November of 2014 I had 3 procedures to place bands on these vessels to try and keep from bleeding, along with dieting exercising and completely quitting what little amount of alcohol I did drink.
On November 24th, a week after my latest procedure I felt nauseas at work, I went to throw up and it again was pure blood. This time, however, things felt different. Last time I was able to drive myself to an urgent care center, and then to an ER. This time I couldn't make it back to my desk on the other side of the floor. Luckily one of my friend's and co-worker was close enough, she was able to assist me into an office room, get a trashcan and call a supervisor for help.
This time I puked an estimated 3 Liters of blood, not good when the average person has 5-6 in their body. I was rushed via ambulance again to the ER, this time while my Dr. went in to do more banding he discovered the vessels were bleeding very badly. It led me to have to be put overnight on a breathing machine and unaware of anything until I awoke the next day.
Due to the severity of my condition I have gone from beginning a transplant procedure in 1-3 years to needing one now.
My next step is to have a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) put in, which is basically a shunt placed in my liver via an incision in my neck that feeds blood from my lower intestine to my stomach, bypassing my liver.
Once I am recovered from this procedure I will be in need of a transplant, however at my weight I cannot make it through the procedure alive. So, I will then need Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Once down to a reasonable weight, I will then have my liver transplant. This can keep me out of work anywhere from now on up to a year after my liver transplant, right now the time is unknown.
While I do have medical insurance for the surgeries and hospital stays, I am the bread winner of my family and can't afford to be out of work for what may be a year +.
After many friends and family suggesting I start this fund, I decided it was a good idea and am asking for help. Any donation, no matter the size helps me and my family.
Thank You even for just reading my story, if you can't donate, please share with your friends/family as they may be able to.
Together with my friends and family I will get through this and come out a winner on the other side.
Again, Thank You.
My name is Robert "Bud" Garcia. I am a married father of 4 sons and I am asking for help.
I have developed Cirrhosis of the liver from a condition named nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Which basically means, due to losing the battle of the bulge for most of my life my liver built up a lot of fat deposits that caused much scarring rendering my liver near failure.
Most of the time this disease is seen in people in their 50s and 60s, I am only 32 but have been overweight since a young child.
I found out I had this illness after puking a liter or two of blood "out of the blue" one morning. That led to a 5 day stay in my local ICU, 3 transfusions, and almost a month out of work.
Due to the NASH, I also developed Esophageal varices, which develop when normal blood flow to the liver is obstructed by scar tissue in the liver or a clot. Seeking a way around the blockages, blood flows into smaller blood vessels that are not designed to carry large volumes of blood. The vessels may leak blood or even rupture, causing life-threatening bleeding.
From August of 2014 to November of 2014 I had 3 procedures to place bands on these vessels to try and keep from bleeding, along with dieting exercising and completely quitting what little amount of alcohol I did drink.
On November 24th, a week after my latest procedure I felt nauseas at work, I went to throw up and it again was pure blood. This time, however, things felt different. Last time I was able to drive myself to an urgent care center, and then to an ER. This time I couldn't make it back to my desk on the other side of the floor. Luckily one of my friend's and co-worker was close enough, she was able to assist me into an office room, get a trashcan and call a supervisor for help.
This time I puked an estimated 3 Liters of blood, not good when the average person has 5-6 in their body. I was rushed via ambulance again to the ER, this time while my Dr. went in to do more banding he discovered the vessels were bleeding very badly. It led me to have to be put overnight on a breathing machine and unaware of anything until I awoke the next day.
Due to the severity of my condition I have gone from beginning a transplant procedure in 1-3 years to needing one now.
My next step is to have a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) put in, which is basically a shunt placed in my liver via an incision in my neck that feeds blood from my lower intestine to my stomach, bypassing my liver.
Once I am recovered from this procedure I will be in need of a transplant, however at my weight I cannot make it through the procedure alive. So, I will then need Gastric Sleeve Surgery. Once down to a reasonable weight, I will then have my liver transplant. This can keep me out of work anywhere from now on up to a year after my liver transplant, right now the time is unknown.
While I do have medical insurance for the surgeries and hospital stays, I am the bread winner of my family and can't afford to be out of work for what may be a year +.
After many friends and family suggesting I start this fund, I decided it was a good idea and am asking for help. Any donation, no matter the size helps me and my family.
Thank You even for just reading my story, if you can't donate, please share with your friends/family as they may be able to.
Together with my friends and family I will get through this and come out a winner on the other side.
Again, Thank You.
Organizer
Robert Garcia
Organizer
Garland, TX
