Help Me Breathe Again
Donation protected
My name is Warren Allabastro, and I am a victim of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, or what is more commonly known as IPF.
IPF is a terminal illness with no known cause or cure except lung transplantation. Just three years ago, my wife of 53 years, Alice, two of my five children (Claudette, Marjorie, Warren, Matthew and Alice Anne and two grandchildren Connor and Jackie) and I rode bikes from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. On a boat tour of Monterey Bay we filmed a superpod of dolphins swimming and diving in the water around us.
But unfortunately as IPF has taken over my lungs and my very existence, the fun and pleasures of life are escaping my grasp. I no longer have breath enough to work, to provide for my family, to enjoy events with friends and relatives, or even to attend church.
It all started with a dry cough that became increasingly constant and annoying. I thought it was post nasal drip and bought all kinds of home remedies but nothing worked. When I could no longer sleep at night because of my cough, my doctor advised me to see a specialist.
After a series of tests the pulmonologist told me that I had Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. One can imagine how alarmed I was when my doctor told me that I have IPF. What I read was even more devastating. I refused to believe the medical literature suggesting that I had only 3 to 5 years to live, but as I began to struggle to breathe I was forced to confront the reality of my illness. I am currently on supplemental oxygen 24/7.
Lack of knowledge of my IPF led to confusion and a feeling of hopelessness, but my daughter Alice Anne refused to accept defeat. She researched IPF extensively and found that there was a way out of our dilemma, a lung transplant. My fear and lack of funds caused me to hesitate but my daughter wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Every time I felt hesitant my daughter reminded me that the universe has led us to Duke for a reason and that we should take this opportunity and trust the agents here at Duke. When young people tell me that they don’t ever want to have children, I would love to tell them about the angel in our midst, Alice Anne, who with her determined belief, convinced me to overcome my anxiety. Without the help and love of my children, I would not be here telling you my story.
Fortunately Duke University Hospital lung transplant team has agreed to consider my case and are placing me on the organ donor list in early December. A lung transplant is a scary, delicate, and expensive but hopeful surgical procedure. A lot can go wrong, but on the other hand, what other choice do I have? Every day I thank God that I’m in the talented, capable hands of the Duke team, who have embraced me with such kindness and understanding.
Even with insurance, the operation and aftermath will cost a fortune. The out-of-pocket expenses for the post-transplant medications with insurance & copay are enormous. Each year for the foreseeable future out of pocket expenses do not include numerous other costs, such as physical therapy, lodging, transportation, food, etc.
We simply cannot afford medicines that are that expensive and everything this procedure entails but we will have to find a way. Consequently, I have come to Go Fund Me to raise the funds for my lung transplant and its aftermath. I hope you can help.
God bless you all. Hopefully, someday I can return the favor. Until then, thank you, with all my heart.
Please share this page with those who may help.
IPF is a terminal illness with no known cause or cure except lung transplantation. Just three years ago, my wife of 53 years, Alice, two of my five children (Claudette, Marjorie, Warren, Matthew and Alice Anne and two grandchildren Connor and Jackie) and I rode bikes from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. On a boat tour of Monterey Bay we filmed a superpod of dolphins swimming and diving in the water around us.
But unfortunately as IPF has taken over my lungs and my very existence, the fun and pleasures of life are escaping my grasp. I no longer have breath enough to work, to provide for my family, to enjoy events with friends and relatives, or even to attend church.
It all started with a dry cough that became increasingly constant and annoying. I thought it was post nasal drip and bought all kinds of home remedies but nothing worked. When I could no longer sleep at night because of my cough, my doctor advised me to see a specialist.
After a series of tests the pulmonologist told me that I had Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. One can imagine how alarmed I was when my doctor told me that I have IPF. What I read was even more devastating. I refused to believe the medical literature suggesting that I had only 3 to 5 years to live, but as I began to struggle to breathe I was forced to confront the reality of my illness. I am currently on supplemental oxygen 24/7.
Lack of knowledge of my IPF led to confusion and a feeling of hopelessness, but my daughter Alice Anne refused to accept defeat. She researched IPF extensively and found that there was a way out of our dilemma, a lung transplant. My fear and lack of funds caused me to hesitate but my daughter wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Every time I felt hesitant my daughter reminded me that the universe has led us to Duke for a reason and that we should take this opportunity and trust the agents here at Duke. When young people tell me that they don’t ever want to have children, I would love to tell them about the angel in our midst, Alice Anne, who with her determined belief, convinced me to overcome my anxiety. Without the help and love of my children, I would not be here telling you my story.
Fortunately Duke University Hospital lung transplant team has agreed to consider my case and are placing me on the organ donor list in early December. A lung transplant is a scary, delicate, and expensive but hopeful surgical procedure. A lot can go wrong, but on the other hand, what other choice do I have? Every day I thank God that I’m in the talented, capable hands of the Duke team, who have embraced me with such kindness and understanding.
Even with insurance, the operation and aftermath will cost a fortune. The out-of-pocket expenses for the post-transplant medications with insurance & copay are enormous. Each year for the foreseeable future out of pocket expenses do not include numerous other costs, such as physical therapy, lodging, transportation, food, etc.
We simply cannot afford medicines that are that expensive and everything this procedure entails but we will have to find a way. Consequently, I have come to Go Fund Me to raise the funds for my lung transplant and its aftermath. I hope you can help.
God bless you all. Hopefully, someday I can return the favor. Until then, thank you, with all my heart.
Please share this page with those who may help.
Organizer
Alice Anne Allabastro
Organizer
Durham, NC