Ron's Medical Bills for Lung Transplant
Donation protected
Hi Family and Friends!
This is the journey of Ronald Price, Jr on receiving a Right Lung Transplant. Ron had a persistent cough that started in 2009. Ron never smoked, did not work in a coal mine or a chemical plant, nor construction; he is a Youth Minister. After years of the cough getting worse and breathing becoming more difficult he was seen by a local pulmonologist. After many tests Ron was seen in the office again and it was suggested that he go to a larger facility. In April 2014 Ron was seen 3 1/2 hours away at the Cleveland Clinic; tests were done and biopsy performed. Ron was diagnosed with NSIP (nonspecific interstitial pneumonia) a fibrosis of the lungs, his lungs sounded like sandpaper when he breathed. There was no cure other than a double lung transplant.
Ron continued to go to Cleveland Clinic every 4 to 6 months for testing and watching the progression of the disease. The pulmonary doctor at Cleveland suggested doing pulmonary rehabilitation. Ron started the rehab in April of 2015 which was three days a week. He continued doing the rehab through March 2019. Rehab was three days a week in which he exercised on 15 liters of air. He worked hard. He was also placed on 3000 mg of Cellcept for the last 4 years.
Despite rehab and his hard work, Ron’s breathing was getting tougher and the cough was continual. In November 2018 he was put on the Lung Transplant List. We were told to be ready at any time for the call. We had our bags packed and were waiting. Unfortunately, we had four dry runs to Cleveland (meaning that when the donated lungs came in they could not be used). This meant that at four different times (at any hour of the day or night) we got a call that it was time. We drove the three and a half hours to Cleveland thinking each time, “This is it!”. There are so many thoughts that go through your head when you’re making the drive and waiting….and waiting... Who’s life was lost and is now graciously donating so that Ron can be fixed. Do they have a family? Will the surgery work? How long will it take? With all the thoughts that go through your mind while driving and waiting, it’s quite an emotional roller coaster when we found out that for various reasons, those times were not it. Yet each time, we were still grateful that these organ donors were willing to donate.
Then on March 16, 2019, we got a call. We made the drive. The same thoughts running through our heads. And this time it was really it! Ron went in to surgery at midnight and came out at 6:30am. Ron had received a Right Lung Transplant from an individual who decided to be an organ donor. We are so grateful to his donor. We pray that the donor’s family has peace and is comforted in this difficult time.
At this time, Ron still has his left bad lung but the Transplant team feels the right lung will become strong enough to do 85% of the work. He is on the long road to recovery and we are taking it one day at a time.
Ron will continue the pulmonary exercise to make the right lung strong. The pulmonary rehab was a key to his progress and his Faith and all of your well wishes and prayers were the number one key. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and well wishes.
With all the medications that Ron must take now to help with rejection, bronchoscopes, labs, X-rays, travel back and forth to Cleveland; there are high co-pays that we need help with. This is the reason we are reaching out to you, our friends and family. We have had to live in the Cleveland area for a minimum of 6 weeks since we live 3 1/2 hours away. After the first bronchoscope Ron showed slight rejection so that is a reason for being close by. As a dear friend told me it’s a Bump in the road so just be ready for a Bump in the road.
We would appreciate any financial help you could do to help Ron to keep pushing forward.
Thank you & God Bless
Ron and Cindy
This is the journey of Ronald Price, Jr on receiving a Right Lung Transplant. Ron had a persistent cough that started in 2009. Ron never smoked, did not work in a coal mine or a chemical plant, nor construction; he is a Youth Minister. After years of the cough getting worse and breathing becoming more difficult he was seen by a local pulmonologist. After many tests Ron was seen in the office again and it was suggested that he go to a larger facility. In April 2014 Ron was seen 3 1/2 hours away at the Cleveland Clinic; tests were done and biopsy performed. Ron was diagnosed with NSIP (nonspecific interstitial pneumonia) a fibrosis of the lungs, his lungs sounded like sandpaper when he breathed. There was no cure other than a double lung transplant.
Ron continued to go to Cleveland Clinic every 4 to 6 months for testing and watching the progression of the disease. The pulmonary doctor at Cleveland suggested doing pulmonary rehabilitation. Ron started the rehab in April of 2015 which was three days a week. He continued doing the rehab through March 2019. Rehab was three days a week in which he exercised on 15 liters of air. He worked hard. He was also placed on 3000 mg of Cellcept for the last 4 years.
Despite rehab and his hard work, Ron’s breathing was getting tougher and the cough was continual. In November 2018 he was put on the Lung Transplant List. We were told to be ready at any time for the call. We had our bags packed and were waiting. Unfortunately, we had four dry runs to Cleveland (meaning that when the donated lungs came in they could not be used). This meant that at four different times (at any hour of the day or night) we got a call that it was time. We drove the three and a half hours to Cleveland thinking each time, “This is it!”. There are so many thoughts that go through your head when you’re making the drive and waiting….and waiting... Who’s life was lost and is now graciously donating so that Ron can be fixed. Do they have a family? Will the surgery work? How long will it take? With all the thoughts that go through your mind while driving and waiting, it’s quite an emotional roller coaster when we found out that for various reasons, those times were not it. Yet each time, we were still grateful that these organ donors were willing to donate.
Then on March 16, 2019, we got a call. We made the drive. The same thoughts running through our heads. And this time it was really it! Ron went in to surgery at midnight and came out at 6:30am. Ron had received a Right Lung Transplant from an individual who decided to be an organ donor. We are so grateful to his donor. We pray that the donor’s family has peace and is comforted in this difficult time.
At this time, Ron still has his left bad lung but the Transplant team feels the right lung will become strong enough to do 85% of the work. He is on the long road to recovery and we are taking it one day at a time.
Ron will continue the pulmonary exercise to make the right lung strong. The pulmonary rehab was a key to his progress and his Faith and all of your well wishes and prayers were the number one key. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and well wishes.
With all the medications that Ron must take now to help with rejection, bronchoscopes, labs, X-rays, travel back and forth to Cleveland; there are high co-pays that we need help with. This is the reason we are reaching out to you, our friends and family. We have had to live in the Cleveland area for a minimum of 6 weeks since we live 3 1/2 hours away. After the first bronchoscope Ron showed slight rejection so that is a reason for being close by. As a dear friend told me it’s a Bump in the road so just be ready for a Bump in the road.
We would appreciate any financial help you could do to help Ron to keep pushing forward.
Thank you & God Bless
Ron and Cindy
Organizer
Cindy Price
Organizer
Moundsville, WV
