Theresa’s intestinal transplant surgery

Hi, my name is Lisa, one of Theresa’s best friends and former coworker.

In April 2020 during the onset of COVID-19, Theresa experienced a ruptured bowel requiring emergency surgery for over 10 hours. This was due in part to her Crohn’s disease which she has been dealing with for over 35 years and enduring over 15 or more related surgeries. Theresa is currently fed from a tube that goes directly to her bloodstream (TPN). She only has 4 feet of intestines and therefore absorbs very little nutrition. To put this in perspective most adults have about 25 feet of small and large intestine. She has been involved in many different drug studies and the time has come for an intestinal transplant. This is extremely rare and not many are done in the US per year. She has been fighting hard to avoid this, but the clock is ticking. Her independence and quality of life have decreased since 2020 due to the many drugs she needs to take to stay alive. She has been unable to work and usually unable to drive, is attached to her TPN pole and nutrition for most of the day and has to remember to take her many medications at different times all day long. This surgery will give Theresa the independence she has lost over the past few years.

Her husband, Tony works a full-time job and then during baseball season works every Saturday and Sunday to make extra money to cover some of Theresa‘s medical costs. He is the hardest worker I know and such an amazing provider for his family.

Theresa has completed all the testing, and is now on the waiting list for her new intestine. Her surgery could literally happen any day!

While Theresa has medical insurance, many transplant expenses are surprisingly not covered or have a very high co-pay. Theresa has been told to anticipate thousands of dollars per month for medication alone. Theresa will also need to stay in a small apartment in Washington DC for up to 6 months after the surgery to be close to the hospital. This means paying out of pocket for a second home in DC while she recovers. Her dearest closest friend has retired from her job early so she can stay with Theresa during the week when she is in DC. Other family and friends while be staying with Theresa on the weekend while she recovers.

All money raised, will go directly to cover medical bills and housing.

Anything you can give will help and is so appreciated by Theresa and Tony! Your prayers to uplift her and the family will also be needed.