Rick Kimble’s Transplant and Recovery
Donation protected
As some of you may know, our Dad/husband, Rick, has a lung disease called Alpha-1 Anti-trypsin Deficiency, which greatly affects his ability to breathe like you and I. Over the past two years, my Mom and Dad have been working tirelessly to get Dad listed for a double-lung transplant.
On Oct. 29, 2018, my Dad was listed for a transplant. And on Dec.7, 2018 at 2:40am in the morning, our family’s dreams came true (and so did our only Christmas wish) - after two years of testing, assessments, meetings with doctors, Dad finally received a so-far perfect set of lungs! Less than a week later, he is doing amazing and the surgery went better than we ever could have imagined. He is on his way back to his cheery, lovable self - but one that can finally breath!
But the true work is only now beginning, as is the financial burden that comes along as part of the transplant process. As of this week, my parents will be moving to Toronto for 3 to 4 months, as visits to the hospital will be happening almost daily once he is cleared from inpatient services. Dad will be in the hospital for the next two to three weeks. Current costs include hotels, Uber’s, meals, parking, etc. After this, Mom and Dad will be renting an apartment in downtown Toronto close to the hospital, at the same time managing the mortgage on our family home back in Kingston. The costs for living inToronto are estimated to be about $3500 to $4000 a month. As you can imagine, these costs are somewhat overwhelming.
Dad has been sick for many years and my Mom has been the primary earner for our family. While my sister and I do what we can to help, the next few months will be difficult for all of us. Mom will be off work for the next several months as she is my Dad’s primary support person. After 3 months, Mom and Dad will return to Kingston but must continue to travel to Toronto weekly for continuing assessment and maintenance. All funds raised will go towards these on-going costs (medical, living, and otherwise) following Dad’s release from hospital and forward into his long recovery.
This has been an incredibly hard decision to make. It is not like our family to reach out in this way, but we know my Dad in particular has many fans who care about him deeply and have asked how they can help . Whether or not you are able to contribute, we ask that you keep my Dad and our family in your prayers and continue to send love as we move forward on this amazing, overwhelming, life-saving journey of recovery.
Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. We love you and are forever grateful xx.
Steph, Erin, & family ❤️
On Oct. 29, 2018, my Dad was listed for a transplant. And on Dec.7, 2018 at 2:40am in the morning, our family’s dreams came true (and so did our only Christmas wish) - after two years of testing, assessments, meetings with doctors, Dad finally received a so-far perfect set of lungs! Less than a week later, he is doing amazing and the surgery went better than we ever could have imagined. He is on his way back to his cheery, lovable self - but one that can finally breath!
But the true work is only now beginning, as is the financial burden that comes along as part of the transplant process. As of this week, my parents will be moving to Toronto for 3 to 4 months, as visits to the hospital will be happening almost daily once he is cleared from inpatient services. Dad will be in the hospital for the next two to three weeks. Current costs include hotels, Uber’s, meals, parking, etc. After this, Mom and Dad will be renting an apartment in downtown Toronto close to the hospital, at the same time managing the mortgage on our family home back in Kingston. The costs for living inToronto are estimated to be about $3500 to $4000 a month. As you can imagine, these costs are somewhat overwhelming.
Dad has been sick for many years and my Mom has been the primary earner for our family. While my sister and I do what we can to help, the next few months will be difficult for all of us. Mom will be off work for the next several months as she is my Dad’s primary support person. After 3 months, Mom and Dad will return to Kingston but must continue to travel to Toronto weekly for continuing assessment and maintenance. All funds raised will go towards these on-going costs (medical, living, and otherwise) following Dad’s release from hospital and forward into his long recovery.
This has been an incredibly hard decision to make. It is not like our family to reach out in this way, but we know my Dad in particular has many fans who care about him deeply and have asked how they can help . Whether or not you are able to contribute, we ask that you keep my Dad and our family in your prayers and continue to send love as we move forward on this amazing, overwhelming, life-saving journey of recovery.
Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. We love you and are forever grateful xx.
Steph, Erin, & family ❤️
Organizer
Erin MJ
Organizer
Kingston , ON
