Support for Kurt Sprengel
Friends, family & community,
Thank you for considering donating to this fundraising effort to support the mounting medical expenses for Kurt Sprengel. He is a friend, fiancée, father, combat Veteran and Federal Police Officer who has faced many medical challenges over the past 7 months.
THE SHORT VERSION
Kurt is on a complicated medical journey. What began with a Portal Vein Thrombosis diagnosis as a result of unexplained, reoccurring blood clots has now progressed to 12 hospitalizations, 9 surgeries and countless hours spent questioning what the future holds for him. Thanks to the Vascular Interventional Radiologist Team at RI Hospital, in consultation with Mass General Hospital, we have finally been brought to a beacon of hope at Mount Sinai hospital in New York City.
Although hopeful, we know that regardless of the outcome, our long-term reality is quite different than we imagined months ago. We anticipate a less active, more cautious lifestyle and expect at age 37, he will remain on blood thinners through the foreseeable future. This will impact every facet of Kurt’s life…personally and professionally.
Unfortunately, the medical bills, travel, and lost wages for both of us continue to mount...with no clear end in sight. Any donations provided will go strictly towards these expenses. Anyone who knows Kurt knows that he is one to extend a hand whenever he can and is not one to ask for help... so this ask is one very much outside of our comfort zone. Thank you for your kindness and generosity; but most of all thank you for your support through kind words, thoughts and prayers throughout this unexpected experience.
THE DETAILS
Our first treatment attempt at treating the Portal Vein Thrombosis, which came after his first 1-week hospitalization followed the routine treatment plan for individuals with this condition, an array of blood thinners at home. However, less than 24 hours after being released from the hospital, Kurt was rushed back. The Thrombosis was so severe that it was obstructing blood flow to his intestines and he experienced variceal bleeding. He underwent a T.I.P.S. (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) procedure to clear this clot and restore proper blood flow. They discovered internal bleeding and an emergency splenectomy was conducted to save his life. During this bout, he was in the ICU for 4 weeks before he was able to come home requiring blood thinner injections twice a day. Two weeks later, it was discovered that the clot had reformed….and it has been a vicious cycle of hospitalizations, surgeries and inpatient/outpatient procedures. Simply put, nothing about this treatment plan has gone as planned.
WHAT’S NEXT
On Tuesday 01/26, Kurt will undergo a new procedure at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. We hope that this intensive intervention will help reduce the severity and frequency of the debilitating effects of this condition. It comes with great risks and we will not know whether it is successful until he has recovered. Unfortunately, options are limited due to his recent splenectomy, as it is the only organ that can be used to access the portal vein.
We hope for the best and will share progress when we can!
