Dear friends and family,

I am writing to humbly ask for your help in supporting Glenn and Heide Sheppard, who are currently facing significant medical expenses. As you know, they have always been there for us all, through thick and thin. Their prayers have been answered so many times and they are so very thankful for the continued support through the lord.

Unfortunately, in recent months, both Glenn and Heide have been dealing with some serious health issues that have resulted in mounting medical expenses and bills. As a family, we are doing everything we can to supplement them, but the cost are simply too high to for us to bear alone. 

On April 4, 2023 Glenn had a heart attack followed by a stint placed in his artery. Please see all the updates leading to our family humbly asking for financial assistance. It is a long road ahead, but he made it through the heart attack, heart stint surgery, blood clot to small intestine, 2 stomach surgeries. Kidneys also have damage and still may need dialysis. Dental issues are also a concern. But praise God he is alive and has made it this far.

Previous to Glenns medical emergency, Heide was in hospice in New Mexico. Financial and logistical issues arose, and an overwhelming amount of responsibly for Glenn took shape. Because of this, Melissa and Lance transported them to Chicago in February to assist in the responsibilities related to Heide’s health. When Glenns medical issues arose, God had other plans for Heides health. She started making major improvements. So much so, that she has made major efforts to prolong her life expectancy and be there to take care of Glenn through his recovery! Not without cost though. Removing her from hospice has cancelled the insurance she had been utilizing to pay for the needed medication and equipment needed to keep her comfortable and ironically alive!

That’s why we are turning to God and all of you for help. We have set up a GoFundMe page to raise $25,000 to help offset the costs of their medical care. Every donation, no matter how small, will go a long way towards making a difference for therm and our family. 

Please consider donating to our GoFundMe page and sharing it with your friends and family. Your support means everything to us and we are so grateful for any help you can provide. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this message and for your kindness and generosity. 

We have prayed for health and that has been continually answered! Now we pray for funding to afford the recovery!

Blessings,

The Sheppard/Steffey Family

On April 4, 2023 Glenn had a heart attack followed by a stint placed in his artery. He is in CCU with Chicago’s ‘s best. Prayers appreciated.

UPDATE:

April 4, 2023

Spoke with the doctor. Glenn is in critical condition. He has a blockage going into his stomach, and air in the walls of his intestine. His kidneys are damaged and it is unknown about whether they can handle the contrast of a necessary CT scan. He needs surgery but it is too risky because of his heart attack yesterday and the blood thinners surgery is also not an option. Please pray for him.

UPDATE:

April 4, 2023

Glenn is living on our prayers. The conservative path is to do nothing. So, we are seeking God’s touch. Have spoken to two doctors and both agree to the wait and see approach. So we that wait, wait upon the Lord and his resurrection power.

UPDATE:

04/05/23

Glenn had a rough night. He is in a-fib, no bowel activity. Decisions. His blood pressure. Is low, surgery isn’t an option now because of blood thinners. His kidney function is worse but we’ve deciding to go with the CT scan. They are being cautious. The scan will be soon. Please continue prayers. They are comforting.

UPDATE:

04/05/23

Glenn has worsen. He is going into surgery now, please pray that he will survive. By the Great Physician’s Power and Love we stand on the promises of the Word of God. He is our healer, our source of strength. If we don’t do this risky surgery right now, Glenn will die tonight. Please Lord help him survive the surgery.

Thank you all for the prayers and support.

UPDATE:

04/05/23

11:45 pm. Praising the Lord he made it through surgery one. They removed ½ of the small intestine that was dying. They couldn’t find the blood clot that is in the vessel which feeds the intestine, however God is involved here and he could do anything with it. So what’s next. He was not closed up. His whole belly is still open. They need to see if other areas of the intestines are getting blood supply and he has a living gut. So he is currently sedated, on a ventilator and will remain so until the next surgery in 24-48 hours.

The richness of Gods love extends beyond my knowing and thinking. This is Good News! Pray for his next couple of days sedated, on a ventilator and open to infection. The risks are great, but the reward is

Greater! You all are so dear to us. Our appreciation extends no bounds. How your prayers were divinely heard and now I’m going to bed. Update in a day or so. Good night. God bless you all.

Glenn had a relatively good night. Just a bit of blood pressure meds added to regulate his pressure. Another surgery tonight or tomorrow. The ascending prayers and Gods favor to answer is sustaining our whole family. Please continue. He has a long way to fight. We are always looking for the victory in Jesus.

UPDATE:

04/06/23

Good news!

Glenn had a good day yesterday. He rested. He is sedated and on a ventilator. He had a successful surgery this morning. They removed the wound vac and examined

his remaining intestines. They did an oscomy, and removed his duodenum. He is in kidney failure now nevertheless

once they can reduce the bp medication, his kidneys should function again. Other labs are ok! Thank you for all your continued support with prayer. It is a Good Friday!

Update:

04/07/23

Today, my dad was able to come off the ventilator. He has been able to do all this with minimal pain meds and has been able to open his eyes and is alert when prompted.

Update:

04/08/23

Glenn is sitting up!! Celebrating small wins.

Update:

04/09/23

Easter Sunday. Was a good day. My dad called us on the phone in the morning to see when we were coming to visit. Lol. The nurse had him sitting up in his chair for an hour and he was able to watch the MASTERS. The doctors are keeping a close eye on all his kidney numbers now. Please continue to pray for healing and to keep out infection or pneumonia.

Update:

04/10/23

Glenn says he’s feeling 1000x’s better. Still in CCU. He did need an additional blood given but overall a good day. Hospital is looking ahead and we will start to look at rehabilitation centers for when he is discharged.

Update:

04/11/23

He is up and walking today, got to watch Bull’s game.

Update:

04/13/23

Glenn is out of CCU!!! Moving to cardiac step down unit room 300 at Delnor. Maybe nose tube that is sucking fluids out of stomach can come out tomorrow along with reintroducing foods. (Jello). Cardiologist said heart looks good. All are answered prayers.

So grateful!

Update:

04/14/23

Glenns nose tube removed today and starting liquids by mouth. Woot woot. Making improvements daily.

Update:

04/15/23

Restful day.

Update:

04/16/23

They removed the nutrition drip and Glenn is eating solid foods. Bleeding is still an issue and hemoglobin keeps dropping. My mom, Heide was removed off hospice yesterday, and now admitted to Delnor Hospital (room 313) just a few doors down from my dad (room 300) in cardiac unit.

Update:

04/18/23

Glenn: Tuesday was a bit challenging. Glenn is getting discouraged. Depression is starting to set in. My parents do miss all of you. If you are in the Chicagoland area let us know if you would like to visit. Doctors are pausing blood thinners (needed for his heart) as bleeding continues and hemoglobin numbers drop. He continues to receive more blood.. his kidneys are failing and we may know today if dialysis is in his near future. He would have a port installed and like a transfusion every other day that would take 3-4 hours. Please pray today that his numbers trend DOWN and for his kidneys to heal.

Heide: Should be discharged today and all test have come back negative. Wonderful news!! The care at Delnor Hospital has been phenomenal!!

Update:

04/19/23

Mom was released from hospital. She will be receiving in home care OT, PT, Bath Aid and nurse. Dad is feeling a bit better today but no word on kidneys. I guess no news is good news.

Update:

04/21/23

Update for my dad - his kidneys and hemoglobin are both slightly improving. He is eating solid foods!! They are most likely releasing him Marianjoy on MONDAY to rehabilitate for a few weeks.

Update for my mom - she is also improving and on the road to recovery. Sleeping well at night and up all day with minimal pain meds. Home health starts now. Nurse, ot, pt and bath aid will all come to our home 2 times a week.

All answers to ALL your prayers. So grateful

Update:

04/25/23

We are waiting for approval from insurance for green light to go to Marianjoy for rehab. If approved he could go today! Heide started PT, OT this week. Making great progress.

Update:

04/26/23

Well, insurance DENIED him to go to Acute care at Marianjoy!!!! (he still can not do ADL’s, has IV, open wounds, new stoma, numbers for kidneys and hemoglobin need to be monitored daily) I will fight back. I have filed an escalated appeal that will take 72 hours to be reviewed. Hospital will have to keep him until they receive their decision.

Heide was able to surprise my dad by WALKING in his room. She did her hair and put on makeup and looked beautiful! My heart is overjoyed!!! She’s back. She is receiving OT, PT, bath aid, at home nurse weekly, and setting appointments with other specialists like palliative, cardiology, gastroenterologist, speech therapist and more.

4/28: We should know the decision from insurance, if they will overturn their denial at 12:00 today. Prayers they will let my dad go to Marianjoy for inpatient Acute care. My dad called me with some great news. His kidneys are healing. He’s numbers are still trending down. He was a 6.5 just a week ago . Normal is 0.1.. he is a 3.5 day.

4/29: Glenn’s blood sugar level dropped to 25 and became unresponsive. Nurse checked on him and 5 more came to assist to get this to rise. He woke up with everyone over him. Super scary.

Humana is Denying Acute and now sub-Acute rehabilitation. I will be filing another appeal. I am open to suggestions! He needs very close care for wounds, labs, ( for kidneys, diabetes and hemoglobin ) and physical rehab.

4/30: Glenn’s hemoglobin is low and they are now giving him more blood…we need to find out where and why. Surgeon will be meeting with him Monday 5/1 please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Mom now has UTI. Please pray for fast healing with no complications.

Thank you all for your support and prayers

Long road ahead, but he made it through the heart attack, heart stint surgery, blood clot to small intestine, 2 stomach surgeries. Kidneys have damage and still may need dialysis. Dental issues are also a concern. But praise God he is alive and has made it this far.