Dear friends and family of Tommy, 

Life has dealt us all some tough cards to beat this past year or so. Most of us were able to make it through as we were able to keep working and had family and friends to isolate with, etc. Others, however, lost everything important in their life all at once, and suffered in solitude and silence. Alcohol-related and depression deaths have skyrocketed in the aftermath of the pandemic.
 
This is one such person we very nearly lost forever.  
But he’s back. 
And only you can help keep him here.

What happened:

On October 15, Tommy was rushed to the hospital with acute liver and kidney failure. He was completely jaundiced, and not of sound mind. Within 2 days he was transferred to Rush University medical, where a liver transplant team worked around the clock to stabilise him and assess his capacity to undergo a full liver transplant. On day 9, after having every single organ in his body scanned and biopsied, and pumping him with blood, oxygen, food and fluids, several blood transfusions and rounds of dialysis, he was considered strong enough to undergo a full liver transplant.  On day 10 – a liver became available. He was wheeled into the operating room just hours later.

We are incredibly indebted to the donor and their family, and have been praying for them and their comfort through this crisis. We hope this small miracle their loved one made happen provides them with some level of happiness. 

Within 2 days after surgery, Tommy was cognizant again, and starting to come around. When the nurses asked him who I was, he uttered “Ethel Merman” and we all laughed aloud around his bedside. He was slowly coming back to us and it brought tears to our eyes.

He was transferred to Physical Therapy unit three days ahead of schedule, and is sounding more like himself every day. I am still in shock and awe of his strength and perseverance and of the people in hospitals who make miracles happen.

What’s happening now:

His family has procured him a new apartment for 4 months, a sunny high-rise apartment in printer’s row, just 6 minutes from the hospital. He will continue to go to physical therapy and follow-ups at least 3x per week for the next 3-4 months. 

He can start working again the second he feels like it. It won’t be in a bar, but there are other opportunities available to him as a transplant recipient, even as a counsellor for others undergoing such a life-altering event.

He's asking more about his friends, and I know he feels your warmth and knows how much you all care. 

WHAT HE NEEDS:

The next 3 months are the most crucial for his recovery.  The hospital staff and all the literature says that the SUCCESS OF A TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT IS DIRECTLY CORRELATED TO THE QUALITY OF HOME-CARE HE RECEIVES IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS. 

Home care costs a bare minimum of $15,000, with about $25,000 being OPTIMAL. 

He also needs emotional support, and your phone calls and visits will go a long way in helping him feel loved and keeping his spirits up during his recovery. 

THE ASK:

PLEASE LOOK BACK AND REMEMBER EVERY GREAT MOMENT YOU EVER SHARED WITH HIM.

PLEASE PUT YOURSELF IN HIS SHOES AND THINK ABOUT WHAT TOMMY WOULD DO FOR YOU.


Please know you are his friend and he loves you, and that this cannot happen without you.

Like his man, Rocky Balboa, all he wants to do is "go the distance".  

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE AS MUCH AS YOU ARE ABLE financially, emotionally and/or spiritually and help Make Tommy Great Again. 


As he mumbled to me before his surgery……”LET'S DO THIS!”  



THANK YOU SO MUCH