CAMPAIGN TO REMAIN OPEN FOR DONATIONS PAST DEADLINE DATE.
We are reaching out again and would truly appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to read our story. To those of you who have already helped we are deeply grateful. Your gifts have helped so very much during the last couple of months. We love you!
In April 2012 Greg was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis-c. He was placed on the waiting list for a liver in July of 2013 and a kidney in October 2013. He has been unable to work since July 2012. Additionally he had a heart attack January 2012 and a minor stroke (TIA) shortly after that which required a 10 day stay in the hospital. He spent 5 days in the hospital in September 2012 and several other hospitalizations for complications of the disease.
THE AMAZINGLY GOOD NEWS: Greg received a new liver and kidney on March 5th! We are so very grateful to the unselfish gift we received from our donor (a young man, under 20) and family! We keep his family in our prayers daily. A portion of the donor's liver went to So. Cal for a baby in need. How cool is that?!? To God be the glory! What an amazing and humbling experience this has all been. Words are hard to find to fully explain the roller coaster of anxiety, emotions, joy, sadness and being on the receiving end of so much love and support. A truly humbling, joyful experience. Greg has had several speed bumps on his road to recovery. (He is says it feels more like moguls.-lol) With each "bump" comes more trips to San Francisco, more time off work and more hospital stays. He still has a couple of issues to iron out but we have faith that he will get better and better as time goes on.
While we are blessed that I have a wonderful job with health insurance, the co-payments are going up considerably beginning June 1. "Affordable" health care. Office visits ($30), meds - 14 right now ($38-$50 each), weekly procedures ($400-he has had 3 post transplant so far), weekly lab work ($30), ER visits ($250 - 2 post transplant so far) and hospital stays ($600/day). It really add up. In addition to medical there are other associated costs. Travel (gas, bridge toll, parking) to all his appointments in Napa, Vallejo and UCSF. We have just started receiving bills for our portion of medical costs. We are up to $3000 and haven't even been billed for the actual transplant and subsequent hospitalizations (5 so far). Disability and my income are not enough to cover all this and keep up on our monthly bills. I have used all my Paid Time Off for the year so every time I have to take him to an appointment I lose a day's pay.
So many of you have asked what you can do to help. Perhaps this is a way. If you feel moved and are able, we would appreciate any and all donations towards Greg's medical costs and related expenses. We encourage you to share this page with your family and friends as well.
We thank you with love and God's blessings. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!! Greg, Andi and Alana