Rick's Recovery

On June 6th of this year, my brother Rick went into the hospital for a routine operation.  The doctor's thought the surgery went well, and in fact they did make the
arterial repair, but Rick quickly took a downturn and we nearly lost him.  He spent weeks in ICU, was on life support, and starting having dialysis as his kidneys shut down.  Over the next 72 days that he remained at Harborview, his mental state deteriorated and his muscles seemed to evaporate before he began to return to a new normal.

Thankfully, he has finally turned the corner and left the hospital to stay with family as there wasn't a bed in the area that could take him and deal with his dialysis appointments. 

Over the past 20 years, Rick has been the Maintenance Man at a Seattle Condo, but due to this extended leave,  he has been terminated from his job and has not received a paycheck since mid-June.  Since part of his work agreement included his housing, he has lost his home, his job, and his kidneys.

The doctors still can't say what went wrong while he was in the hospital, and we don't know yet if his kidneys might heal enough to end his need for dialysis.   

Rick will need continued healthcare for some time as he is still regaining his strength and dialysis continues.  He is applying for disability status, but that takes time and persistance. 

He has few bills as he lives frugally, but he wants to be able to keep his car, and continue to pay his regular bills.  He is selling his collectables, but as he is getting well enough to live on his own he needs more income than that will bring. 

We have set a goal that would replace his income for six months (not counting his housing).  If he is careful with his money, and continues to improve as he is, we hope that he can find a new living situation and be able to be on his own in a few months.  He will be looking for a new managment situation as soon as he is able.

Lastly, as Rick has to vacate his apartment by the end of this month, he has to find someone to adopt his beloved cat, Leroy.  If you or someone you know would like a furry companion (seen in the lower left of the first photo above) who is loveable, affectionate and can allow a little outside time, Leroy is in need of a loving home.

Rick needs some money quickly as he needs to rent a moving van, find a storage unit, and vacate the apartment he has lived in for the past 20 years by the end of September. 

Rick is an amazing person who was always willing to help his "family" where he lived; whether it was dog/cat sitting, shoping for his tenants, doing extra jobs painting, waiting for deliveries or any other thing he could to make life easy for "his" condo tenants.  He is worthy of receiving a little help from anyone who can understand how his entire life has been turned upside down through something he had no control over.    

Anyone who can help in any amount will be helping a truly worthy person put his life back together, and our gratitude will be everlasting.