Randy's Post-Surgery Medical Fund
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Randy and I am 48 yrs old. In early 2016 I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmanory Fibrosis. I had been (incorrectly) treated for my breathing issues for 10 years prior as COPD. When I was diagnosed, the disease was advanced and my expectency was 18-24 months. This was the same disease that took my mothers life at age 54 . My only chance was a lung transplant, if I qualified.
I spent the next 10 months with regular visits to Pulmonary specialists and doctors, hospital stays for testing, and physical therapy. This was to help determine my eligibility for transplant and to maintain my failing health long enough to survive such a major surgery, if accepted.
Finally, in February of this year I was approved for transplant and was put on the list days later. Miraculously I was called 2 weeks later with a viable donor and needed to get to hospital right away. Twenty four hours later I had a succesful right lung transplant and could breath again!
Now, despite insurance, the road to recovery is a financial burden as I have to take extended time from work (up to 6 months or more) and I am the primary income source for my family. Additionally, my wife Deb has had to take a short-term leave from work as well. The weekly trips to doctors (240 miles round trip), medical and medication co-pays and deductibles, rent, utilities, and a host of other regular expenses have put an extreme stress on myself and family. Any gaps in my treatments or inability to finacially keep up with related expenses could critically jeopordize my health. This is a fact that I must face for a lifetime, but well worth the rewards.
I am married with 5 children and 3 grandchildren, with 3 children still living with us. Any support that can be donated to help us through this financial deficiet would be most heartfelt appreciated, in addition to the gift of life I have received from my donors family.
Thank you so much for any support you may provide and we appreciate your visit to our page!
God Bless!
I spent the next 10 months with regular visits to Pulmonary specialists and doctors, hospital stays for testing, and physical therapy. This was to help determine my eligibility for transplant and to maintain my failing health long enough to survive such a major surgery, if accepted.
Finally, in February of this year I was approved for transplant and was put on the list days later. Miraculously I was called 2 weeks later with a viable donor and needed to get to hospital right away. Twenty four hours later I had a succesful right lung transplant and could breath again!
Now, despite insurance, the road to recovery is a financial burden as I have to take extended time from work (up to 6 months or more) and I am the primary income source for my family. Additionally, my wife Deb has had to take a short-term leave from work as well. The weekly trips to doctors (240 miles round trip), medical and medication co-pays and deductibles, rent, utilities, and a host of other regular expenses have put an extreme stress on myself and family. Any gaps in my treatments or inability to finacially keep up with related expenses could critically jeopordize my health. This is a fact that I must face for a lifetime, but well worth the rewards.
I am married with 5 children and 3 grandchildren, with 3 children still living with us. Any support that can be donated to help us through this financial deficiet would be most heartfelt appreciated, in addition to the gift of life I have received from my donors family.
Thank you so much for any support you may provide and we appreciate your visit to our page!
God Bless!
Organizer
Randy Priest
Organizer
Appleton, WI
