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My chronic kidney disease (CKD) has come to a critical point. Diagnosed when I was in my late 20’s with FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis), I have come to the end stage for my disease. My kidney function has continued to decline as the disease progressed and I am now at the point of needing either a kidney transplant or dialyses to survive.
My oldest son has graciously volunteered to donate one of his kidneys so I can continue with a reasonably normal life. I am grateful and humbled by his willingness to help. He lives in North Carolina and we are in the northwestern part of South Carolina. The transplant center is in Charleston, SC, about 3 1/2 hours away for both my son and for me. This will mean many trips and out of pocket expenses for both of us.
I have not had most of the side effects of the disease and by God’s grace I have lived a fairly normal life. In addition to a full career in business, I have volunteered with my both of my sons’ sports teams, Boy Scouts, singing groups, and actively participated in leadership positions in church. I also have six grandchildren whom I enjoy spending time with and want to watch grow up. By following doctors’ recommendations and trying to make good lifestyle choices (no tobacco, alcohol or non-prescribed drugs) I have been able to avoid the inevitable for a long time, but now my kidneys are functioning at less than 10% and continue to decline.
Surprisingly many transplant expenses are not covered even with private insurance. These include: co-pays and deductibles for doctor and clinic visits & the costly anti-rejection medications that I will need to take for the rest of my life, as well as additional Medicare insurance premiums required to cover the live donor (my son) and me for several years following my transplant surgery. Travel to Charleston, meal expenses, and lodging that must be close to the hospital for my live donor (my son), both of our full-time caregivers and me for a week or two after the initial transplant hospital are out of pocket expenses. Then I will have twice-weekly trips to Charleston for a month or more tapering off to weekly then monthly over the following six months for follow-up doctor’s appointments and to monitor and regulate my anti-rejection medication. This is where I can use your help to defray those costs.
God has blessed our family in so many ways over the years and we are thankful for the prayers and encouragement of friends and family. Please continue to pray with us for continued prayers for the medical team, my son and me.
Some friends and family have asked if that are other ways to help. Barbara and I have chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive in part because HelpHOPELive provides both tax-deductibility and fiscal accountability to contributors. Contributors can be sure that funds contributed will be used only to pay or reimburse medically related expenses. Should you feel you would like to join us in fundraising for the critical non-covered expenses, we would welcome any financial assistance to help defray those costs.
For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800-642-8399.
April 23 was 1 year! God is so good. Doug Jr. and I are both doing better than the doctors expected. Both of us had tests run about a week ago and all results were very positive. Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement!
Ten months and going strong!! All my test results are excellent. God is good!
Four months and going strong! Still working with the transplant center to make minor adjustments to the meds but in general life is back to normal (the new Covid normal). Doug Jr. is going strong as well. God is good. Thanks for all the continued prayers.
Five weeks and going strong! Both my donor (Doug Jr) and I are doing very well.
Doug Jr. returned to his duties at church two weeks ago and it continuing to heal and regain strength. He is virtually pain free now.
I am doing great. Walking 4-5 miles a day and will be returning to full-time work on Monday, June 1. All good here.
Thanks for the continued prayers and well wishes.
Best,
Doug
It has been just over 3 weeks since I receive my new kidney. Virtually pain free and my numbers indicate the kidney is working as expected and doing its job! Praise the Lord!
My last visit to the clinic (last Monday) my surgeon basically told me, "you are doing so well that this is basically a social visit." I was released to drive around town (early) and am back to 99%+ strength. I am walking 4-5 miles a day and feeling great. I am on track to return to work in early June.
My live donor (son) is doing very well too. He is almost free of any pain, but still has days where he is tired - to be expected as he had a perfectly good kidney removed. He resumes his duties as a Pastor of Worship tomorrow and will be working full-time from this point forward again.
I have a new kidney! Last Thursday we had surgery! I am doing very well and my numbers are excellent. My donor is still in pain but getting better everyday. Thank you for the funding and prayers. God Bless.
We just received word that our kidney transplant surgery is scheduled for April 23! Praise God!!
My live donor (son) is approved! Now we just have to wait for the nationwide commencement of elective surgery to start again. It could be weeks or months. Either way, we are in the home stretch.
With the COVID-19 situation, all elective surgery is suspended indefinitely and live donor kidney surgery is considered "elective." Because of this, the doctors have decided I need to start dialysis, so this evening I start a 3-day per week in-clinic dialysis regimen. We will have to monitor the situation and there is always a chance for a deceased donor transplant during this strange time in our country. Please continue to pray - for our country, for those affected by COVID-19, for my medical team, live donor and me.
My live donor heard from the transplant center. His case went before the selection committee and they have a couple of additional tests that they have decided would be needed in order to make a decision. These are being scheduled and the plan at this point is to complete those this week and get a decision next week. Thanks for the continued prayers.
We are cautiously excited that we may be close to having my live donor approved this week or next. He is finishing up a couple of tests and pending good results, the transplant coordinator has told him that his case will be presented at the end of the week to the committee. We are all praying that his test results are what the doctors will want to see and then we can hopefully work on scheduling the transplant. Prayers are much appreciated!
Finally approved to move to the South Carolina Kidney Transplant List! Douglas Jr is still working through his approval to be my living donor and we hope that process will be complete in a couple of weeks, then we can schedule the transplant. Thanks for all of your prayers!
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Doug; we are praying for a successful procedure and a quick and painless recovery.
Mike and Chris
Mike & Chris Owen
Praying that everything goes smoothly and quick recovery for both of you! Love you guys!
Amanda Brodeur
Wishing you the best brother! Prayers for you and your family.
raymond tozer
We pray that Doug’s Kidney transplant will be a success and his health will be restored so that Doug can continue to serve the Lord in holiness and wholeness! May the Lord give us His Mercy and Love to let all to see his blessings upon us!
Julia Shen
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Douglas Bell
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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