MobilityWorks
Accessibility for all: Helping people connect with who and what matters most
Searching...
No results found. Please try modifying your search.
Family and friends of Terry Frossard are raising money to pay for uninsured medical expenses associated with the lung transplant he received on February 8, 2017.
Terry was diagnosed with lung disease in 2011 and was given 3-5 years to live. In March of 2016, he began the arduous lung transplant evaluation process. Because of his heart bypass surgeries in 2008, he was considered a risky and complicated candidate however, the University of Minnesota, one of the top transplant teams in the United States, determined Terry could withstand surgery. He was officially added to the transplant waiting list on December 29, 2016.
We received “the call” on February 7, 2017 at 6:04 am. Even though we knew we would eventually get the call, it was still a shock. The trip to Minneapolis took approximately 6 hours. His new lung was coming from out of the area so there was a delay but he received his transplant the following morning without any complications! He was expected to be in the hospital for 14-21 days, but 9 days later was released to our Minneapolis rental apartment where he must reside for a minimum of three months. We left the hospital with 23 different medications and he takes 64 pills per day! A model patient, Terry has a great attitude and he often says “tell me what to do and I will do it.” Nevertheless, the road to recovery is a long and expensive one.
From support groups, we learned and are prepared for a roller coaster ride to recovery. Most recipients return to the hospital at least once, if not several times, within the first six months of recovery. We are hopeful this will not happen, but are ready for any obstacles that may be thrown our way. As you can imagine, the various out-of-pocket costs related to Terry’s medical bills, hospitalization, prescriptions, and temporary relocation are mounting exponentially.
To help offset Terry’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law, are held by Help Hope Live in the Great Lakes Lung Transplant Fund and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.
For credit card contributions, please click the Donate Now button.
Terry now anxiously awaits his return home to family and friends, especially his four beloved grandsons: Gavin (10), Austin (10), Carter (8) and Grady (7 months). This precious gift of life now gives him the opportunity to watch the joys of his life grow up, something he originally feared may not be an option. And this is only possible through the selfless act of organ donation. We are humbled. It is difficult to find the right words to express our immense gratitude to the donor’s family for Terry’s second chance at life but they will always hold a cherished place in our hearts. And to our family and friends, thank you, for their ongoing thoughts, prayers, and support. You have helped us in more ways than you know. As we continue on this journey, we will continue to keep everyone updated on Terry’s progress.
The Frossard Family
906-466-2768
Terry was in the hospital in Minneapolis for 10 days. He came home Wednesday January 31st. He is on IV infusions twice a day which we administer at home. Once a week a home health care nurse comes to the house to do blood draws and once a week he will go to OSF for a different IV infusion. He will have the infusions for a minimum of four weeks. We thank all of our family and friends who have supported us and been there for us every step of the way. There is not a day that goes by that we do not think of the donor’s family. With one year approaching, this is a diff URL time for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.
Terry has been back in the hospital in Minneapolis since last Monday. He has a CMV virus that 90 percent of lung recipients get from their donor. He will be on antibiotic infusions for the next four weeks. Besides having it in his blood, he also has it in his stomach which has caused a lot of stomach complications
Terry has had a few bumps in the road as is expected. He had a TIA in June which is a mini stroke. Now he is checking his blood pressure 3 times a day instead of two. He his just getting over a stomach bug which caused him to lose more weight. His get up and go isn’t what he would like it to be but with time it will get better. One day at a time. Thank you for all of your donations and well wishes.
We received the results back from his June 8th bronchoscope and he has a fungal infection in his donor lung. We have been expecting some bumps in the road and here is a bump. He is on a high dose of Itraconazole to help with the fungus. Some of his other medications are being adjusted because they do not react well with the new medication. Hopefully the next bronchoscope in August will have better results.
Terry went through labs, echo, X-rays, Pulmonary Therapy, doctor’s appointment and bronchoscope Wednesday and Thursday. Everything went well so far. His lung biopsies take approximately 10 days for the results. He still doesn’t have the energy that he wishes he had but it has only been 118 days. We have met many wonderful people in Minneapolis and their Lung Transplant team is amazing at the University of Minnesota. People ask why not Mayo? Mayo does 11-12 lung transplants a year and University of Minnesota does over 50. University of Minnesota is ranked number 3 out of 60 plus lung transplant centers in the US. They are amazing.
Terry was released from having to live at the rental apartment in Minneapolis on Wednesday, May 3rd. Half way home about 3 hours away from home we were t-boned while traveling on Highway 17 in Merrill, Wisconsin by N 84 old woman who did not even attempt to stop. If we were in any other vehicle besides our Buick Enclave things would have been much different. There were no broken bones just bruises, abrasions, high blood pressure which all will heal. They were in contact with the lung transplant team in Minneapolis and his chest X-rays looked fine. The wrecker service said the car is totaled with the airbags deploying besides the passenger side of the car including the front wheel were in rough shape. The front wheel is bent sideways and the posts on each side of the passenger door appear to be sprung. There is also concern about the frame being bent. But cars can be replaced. We are blessed that we are sore but will heal. I was concerned about Terry and he was concerned about me because I was sitting in the passenger seat right where we were hit. All of our belongings from the past three months were scattered all over the car and food even came out of the cooler. I made sure I grabbed Terry’s medication before we left in the ambulance because he can not miss his anti rejection medication. We are home resting and all is well. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers-they are powerful. ❤️
We had an amazing weekend at home with the family. Thank you Stacey for making supper Friday nite and breakfast Saturday morning. The kids have been all great watching over the house and collecting the mail. The neighbors have been keeping an eye on the house too. Thank you George and Doreen for bring supper over Saturday night. Our refrigerator was empty so thank you. It was great seeing everybody and Terry and I sure did enjoy seeing the grandkids too. Thank you everybody for all of you support-many cards, text, phone calls, donations, words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers. We appreciate it so much. ❤️
Awesome news today- we get to go home for the weekend. We will leave after rehab tomorrow about 12:30 et and will drive back to Minneapolis on Sunday. Even better news-if all goes well after his labs, X-rays, Pulmonary Function Test and doctors appointment on Wednesday, May 3rd he will be going home. Yay! We are going to start packing the car to take home some of our belongings so our car won’t be packed to the roof on May 3rd. We do have to pay for another months rent on the rental apartment but oh well.
There has been a lot of emotional ups and downs with his lung transplant. Since day one of his transplant a few close family members have made our life miserable. I believe they are feeling guilty for not visiting him while he had a very serious, life threatening surgery. They have no idea what Terry has gone through along with his family. Making Terry distraught when he is fighting for his life is wrong. I pray they will come to their senses.
Terry is still having stomach issues so they sent him for X-ray’s of his stomach today. He found out the right side of his colon is not working and there is blockage. They have a game plan in place and if still blocked by Sunday he has to go in for plan B.
Terry continues to have stomach issues and his medications are being adjusted daily. His magnesium dropped drastically again and they now have him on magnesium oxide twice a day which has to be taken with food and not at the same time as his other medications. Keeping his medications straight has been a challenge along with Terry’s tolerance of the medications. For the past six years he has been on a lot of medications including some of the same ones he is on now. You would think those same medications would be tolerable but along with the new drugs it has not been working out. All we can do is take one day at a time.
We would like to thank everybody for all of the cards, thoughts and prayers, monetary donations that we have been receiving. Thank you George and Doreen Bower for all of the cards Terry received-8 cards to date. These cards brighten our day every time we receive one with it being difficult being so far from home
Thank you to our children and grandchildren, Chris, Angela and Todd, Stacey and Gavin, Austin, Carter and Grady along with dear friends Steve and Angela Victorson, George and Doreen Bower and Terry’s brother Lee Frossard for visiting these past 70 days. Words cannot express how thankful we are to have you in our lives.
Terry’s stomach issues are acting up again. The game plan is to change one of his anti rejection medications on Tuesday. He has an awesome team of medical staff. Please pray for the donor family today. This is their first holiday without their loved one and this is a difficult time for them.
Terry had his bronchoscope this morning and so far so good. The lung was pink which is good, the stitching was good, and no sign of infection. They took ten biopsies which will take up to 10 days for the results to determine if there is any rejection. He feels much better yesterday and today though. After they gave him the magnesium infusion his headache went away and they adjusted his anti resection medication and his stomach issues seem to be better. Hopefully this was his bump in the road and it will be smooth sailing going forward.
Terry is at the Infusion Center now getting magnesium infusions. His magnesium has to be up before he can have his bronchoscope done tomorrow.
They adjusted Terry’s medication last night and he feels a little better today. His blood work shows his magnesium level at 1.1 which is extremely low which is a result of diarrhea.
It has been a rough week. Terry felt better two weeks ago. He feels sick and has no energy. We will no more after his bronc on Thursday April 13 th. Tso weeks ago they said if the bronc looked good he may be able to go home early but now that he has been sick those chances are slim. The bronc tests can take up to 10 days to get the results back. Prayers, prayers and more prayers are needed. Thank you.
Saturday we spent 6 hours in the Emergency Room. Terry was vomiting and was dehydrated. He had two bags of IV drip. His tests came back good and he was able to go back to the rental apartment. He is able to keep his food down now but his energy has decreased and he has been sleeping a lot. One day at a time…
Terry had extensive tests and doctor’s appointments yesterday. He is scheduled for a bronchoscope on April 13th and if all goes well they may release him early-in two months instead of three months. They said he is doing very well and progressing faster than normal. We don’t want to get our hopes up but Terry is anxious to go home. He was a little dehydrated and has to drink more than the 64 oz of water that he is drinking. He is learning to like water real fast. Thank you everyone for all of your encouragement, kind words, thoughts and prayers and monetary donations.
We had quite the scare yesterday. His chest X-ray last week showed nodules on his donor lung, he has a bacteria/fungus in his donor lungs did his antibodies were increasing which is a sign of rejection. We felt we were ready for the bumps in the road but it is easier said than done. His spirits were very low. They were referring him to in Infectious Disease Specialists at the U. He went for a CT scan, blood work and Pulmonary Fuction Tests this morning and we just got the results. What they thought were nodules are phishes between his two lobes in his left lung. The are expecting it to heal and have seen this before. Because he doesn’t have nodules on his lung they are not as concerned about the bacteria/fungus in his donor lung which was actually there before the lung was transplanted but didn’t know until later. They are keeping an eye on it but quite as concerned. We did find out that he has a few fractured ribs which is common. As far as his antibodies going up from 1400 to 1500, they said the increase is minimal and it is comparable to somebody having three ants in their house and now they have four ants but if they suddenly had hundreds of ants then it would be time to worry. A load of relief eased our minds today. It was extremely stressful day yesterday.
Terry’s blood pressure seems to be under control now with the medication the doctors have him on but his blood test showed that his antibodies are dropping which is a sign that his new lung could be rejecting. They are monitoring it and know that he is in good hands at the University of Minnesota. If it does start to reject, they will change his medications to overcome the rejection. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers-it means so much.
Terry is now off of oxygen completely. Yay! His hard work is paying off. Monday his blood pressure skyrocketed but the doctors have him on high blood pressure medication-the first time ever trying to lower it. He has been monitoring his blood pressure several times a day to try and keep it under control.
2/27/17. Terry had several appointments this morning including labs, X-rays, pulmonary function tests and doctor’s appointments. He is progressing nicely and amaze the doctors. Some of his doses of medications changed and he is off of oxygen while resting but is still on 1 liter while exercising.
Loading Images
I have been keeping you both in my daily prayers. Sending lots of positive vibes and love.
Doreen
I am sorry to hear about Terry's virus. I am praying that the Doctors get this under control so he can come back home. You are both so strong. God bless you both.
Linda Kossel
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Get better soon.
Roxanne Frossard
thoughts and prayers for the both of you. I hope every thing is ok on the job front. Get well soon.
Roxanne Frossard
The power of prayer is amazing. So glad both you and Terry are safe and back home resting from quite the ordeal. It has been an amazing journey and we are so proud of both of you. Debby you have been an outstanding care giver on top of every little detail and Terry all we can say is WOW -- your determination to get through all this is over the top. Take care and God Bless!
George and Doreen
Great news! No place like home! Glad you are feeling better!
Pam Cole
What amazing news!! So happy for you guys!! ❤️
Mari Bower
God is good. Prayers all goes well so you can come home next week. Way to go Terry. Your strength and determination amaze us every day. Enjoy your weekend at home.
Doreen and George
prayers sent and I hope everything continues to go great Terry. Prayers go out to everyone missing loved ones for the first time this Easter season. May they and everyone remember keep in mind the true meaning of Easter.
Roxanne Frossard
Prayers continue for Terry's recovery. And also to the donor family.
Doreen
So glad they found out what might be making you sick and lack of energy. Hopefully with these adjustments you will begin to feel better. Continued prayers.
Doreen
Praying for all of your family! How wonderful and stressful at the same time? There is a prayer that I like, "If God brought you to it, he will bring you through it." Stay strong.
Linda Kossel
Baby steps Terry. You got this.
Doreen
I bet you are counting the days before your children and grandchildren come for the weekend to see you. Keep working hard to build up your strength. You will be running up the steps at VanRiper this summer.
Doreen
Thank you everybody for all your thoughts, prayers, well wishes, words of encouragement and donations. It is very appreciated. Lee and Roxanne-I can't wait for the grandkids to see his improvement. Marilyn-our mail is being picked up and brought to Minneapolis. Thank you so much.
Debby and Terry
Terry, glad to hear your doing better. keep up the great work. Remember one day at a time and soon enough those grand-kids of yours will have to run to keep up to you.
Love Lee and Roxanne
sent a card to bark river, rather then here. Sorry about that. Good luck and God bless
Marilyn Wencl
Pam
Grady and I love you! You can do it!!
Stacey ❤
Yay Terry! Glad to hear such great things about your Road to recovery. Stay strong, focused and positive.
Steve & Angela
Glad to hear better news. Prayers continued. Terry has been added to my prayer warrior lists. Best wishes.
Michelle Kleikamp
So glad you received good news today. The power of prayer is amazing. Keep up the good work. You have a lot of people back home praying for you.
Doreen
Praying every day for you to have a speedy recovery!!
Jolene strauss
Good morning Terry! This has been a very exciting time for all of us. Praying for continued success! God bless.
Randy Kleikamp
Just want to send you best wishes after your recent surgery Terry! Wishing you a fast recovery and the best of health! Thinking of you Terry and Debby! Love and Hugs!!
Pam Cole
Thoughts and prayers for a perfect recovery
Todd & Heather Poquette
Love you to the moon and back-you can do this Terry.
Love Debby
Continued prayers for a successful and speedy recovery. You are amazing and definitely a very strong man with a mission. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you soon.
Doreen
Praying for your continued progress. Stay strong everyone. God is in control!
Holly Suerwier
Hugs to you all, prayers sent your way Uncle Terry!! You got this!
Randall Kleikamp family
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
The Brzoznowski's
Hugs & prayers
Lana Boudreau
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Terry A Frossard
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Subscribe to this campaign to receive updates.
MobilityWorks
Accessibility for all: Helping people connect with who and what matters most
Vantage Mobility International
Building leading-edge mobility products
AMS Vans
One of the largest mobility dealers in the U.S.
Angel MedFlight
Advanced medical care and air transportation when you need it the most
Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy
Consult with specially-trained pharmacists, get your medications for pickup or delivery and more
KYW Newsradio 1060
All news, and all that matters to you
Prelude Solutions
Your first step to optimized communications
Abilities Virtual Experience
The event for the disability community
Firstrust Bank
Philadelphia's Hometown Bank℠
Hope Travels Virtual 5K: Sunday, May 16, join us in the race for relief from medical debt! You choose the pace, place, and time of your race – and who it benefits. Register Now