Hello. My name is Elizabeth. I am the daughter of Dennis and Janet Blum. On 5/21/25, my dad was taken

to the hospital with a flare up of his Emphysema and pneumonia. Soon, after entering the hospital he

was put on a ventilator. My mother, my brother, and I were told that he could no longer breathe on his

own. We questioned why my dad’s body was swelling up and were told that it was because he was not

able to move. The staff recommended that we make the decision to remove my dad from the ventilator.

We were told that when they tried to remove it his lung kept collapsing. We were told that nothing

could be done.

We had my dad transferred to another hospital to get a second opinion and the doctor there believed

that he could operate on my dad lung and repair a tear that we were unaware of. The doctor explained

to us that his lung had been perforated upon insertion of the breathing apparatus. The doctor told us,

following surgery that the hole in his lung was larger than anticipated and that he was unable to

successfully repair it. This is when we found out that the swelling he had experienced was a result of the

intubation pushing air out of his lungs and into his body and enlarging the tear. He was not found to be a

transplant candidate due to heart issues and age.

My dad had specifically told my mom that he did not want to have a machine keep him alive if this was

his last option. My mom made the painful decision to discontinue the ventilator on the evening of

5/12/25 and my dad passed early on 5/13/25. We are requesting help to pay for an autopsy and

assistance with funereal expenses. My mom has not yet reached retirement age, and is unable to work.

She is at risk of losing their home. We appreciate any help that you might be able to provide and ask for

your prayers as well.

Thank you.