Help with Expenses for Dad of 4
Donation protected
Tristan developed kidney disease at age 29, and had a transplant at age 35. The new kidney worked well for 6 years but about a year ago, Tristan went into rejection. For the past year, his dr has tried to save the transplanted kidney, to no avail. Tristan is now back on dialysis and on the transplant list. The average wait time on the list is about 5 years but we hope he will get a new kidney before that.
He was able to continue working, in a very physical job, until a few months ago when he became too weak physically to keep working. In the past year, he has been admitted to the hospital on seven occasions, some times for just a few days. His most recent admission was for 7 days. In addition to being in Stage 5 (worst) kidney failure, he developed two back-to-back infections, one of which could have been life-threatening. Since his immune system is so severely compromised, he is not able to fight off the infections. He is still taking prescription meds for the most serious of the infections, Histoplasmosis, which is not too serious in people with a normal immune system, but can be fatal for people with compromised immune systems. In a period of about six weeks, Tristan had two major infections, one surgery, a blood clot (being treated with Coumadin), and dealing with Stage 5 kidney failure.
He is doing better now but still has a long road ahead of him. He has lost 30 pounds and a lot of muscle strength, and has side effects from the medicines he has to take. Some of the side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, vision problems, dizziness, weakness, headaches, and more. He hopes to regain strength and be able to return to work, but as of right now we don't know if that will be possible.
It is very hard for anyone in our family to ask for help. Before his transplant six years ago, Tristan worked every day at a very physical job and worked up until the day of the transplant, and then went back to work two weeks after the transplant. They never asked for any type of help. His amazing wife, Melissa, is trying to continue working at her job, help take care of Tristan, pay the overwhelming bills, take care of the 3 kids that they still have living at home (one is an adult and living on her own), etc.
They do have insurance through Melissa's work, but the co-pays and out-of-pocket amounts add up. Some of his medicines are not covered completely by insurance. One test that he had done was over $9,000 and has been denied by insurance. They are making monthly payments on the mounting medical bills, but with Tristan unable to work, their income has been reduced drastically. They recently applied for Social Security Disability but we are told that the State routinely denies all applications and most people have to wind up hiring a lawyer in order to collect benefits, and that could take years.
If you are able to help, Tristan and his family would be very greatful and appreciative of any amount, no matter how much. If you are unable to help financially, please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this very difficult period of their lives.
All money raised will go towards their medical bills and living expenses.
Please feel free to share this!!!
He was able to continue working, in a very physical job, until a few months ago when he became too weak physically to keep working. In the past year, he has been admitted to the hospital on seven occasions, some times for just a few days. His most recent admission was for 7 days. In addition to being in Stage 5 (worst) kidney failure, he developed two back-to-back infections, one of which could have been life-threatening. Since his immune system is so severely compromised, he is not able to fight off the infections. He is still taking prescription meds for the most serious of the infections, Histoplasmosis, which is not too serious in people with a normal immune system, but can be fatal for people with compromised immune systems. In a period of about six weeks, Tristan had two major infections, one surgery, a blood clot (being treated with Coumadin), and dealing with Stage 5 kidney failure.
He is doing better now but still has a long road ahead of him. He has lost 30 pounds and a lot of muscle strength, and has side effects from the medicines he has to take. Some of the side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, vision problems, dizziness, weakness, headaches, and more. He hopes to regain strength and be able to return to work, but as of right now we don't know if that will be possible.
It is very hard for anyone in our family to ask for help. Before his transplant six years ago, Tristan worked every day at a very physical job and worked up until the day of the transplant, and then went back to work two weeks after the transplant. They never asked for any type of help. His amazing wife, Melissa, is trying to continue working at her job, help take care of Tristan, pay the overwhelming bills, take care of the 3 kids that they still have living at home (one is an adult and living on her own), etc.
They do have insurance through Melissa's work, but the co-pays and out-of-pocket amounts add up. Some of his medicines are not covered completely by insurance. One test that he had done was over $9,000 and has been denied by insurance. They are making monthly payments on the mounting medical bills, but with Tristan unable to work, their income has been reduced drastically. They recently applied for Social Security Disability but we are told that the State routinely denies all applications and most people have to wind up hiring a lawyer in order to collect benefits, and that could take years.
If you are able to help, Tristan and his family would be very greatful and appreciative of any amount, no matter how much. If you are unable to help financially, please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this very difficult period of their lives.
All money raised will go towards their medical bills and living expenses.
Please feel free to share this!!!
Organizer
Jeanie Reavis
Organizer
Loami, IL