Carl has been a hardworking cabinet maker his entire life and in 2020, he had been working more hours than he ever had in his career. At the end of October 2020 he tested positive for covid. He quarantined and was ready to go back to work to support his family. His niece, an ER nurse dealing with covid patients, mentioned he may want to get a pulse oximeter to measure his oxygen levels. He did so and realized his oxygen levels were in the 70s, even though he felt fine. He then went to a walk-in clinic, and they also measured his oxygen levels in the 70s. They called for an ambulance who delivered him across the street to the ER and he was hospitalized for 5 days.
Leaving the hospital he was on oxygen 24 hours a day, on low levels. Doctors were not sure how to proceed with treatment because they did not yet understand how covid affects the body. Finally after several months his doctors decided the best course of action was physical therapy. In August of 2021 during a physical therapy session in the hospital he had a small stroke. After that he continually needed more and more oxygen and was in and out of the hospital.
He was finally recommended to a specialist in Chicago, IL in May of 2022. Being on such high levels of oxygen is tough on Carl, and logistically almost impossible. His family took off work for many doctors visits, because the entire car had to be completely filled with oxygen tanks for a visit that would only last a few hours. After his consultation he was immediately admitted. He spent 7 weeks in the hospital 3 hours away from home. There he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension and was finally released on an infusion pump he must wear at all times.
His wife, Cinda, had to retire early to take care of him and had to go through training to change and administer the medication every two days, but were determined to do anything they had to in hopes that this would help heal his body. He was alive, but not able to fully live because he was bound to his oxygen concentrator and unable to get around much. A month after he was released he was admitted again at his first check up, his heart was getting stronger but his lungs were getting worse. The lung transplant team was then called in. After many days of testing, it is believed he has a very rare form of Pulmonary Hypertension, called PVOD and is in dire need of a double lung transplant. He is currently still in Chicago waiting for his transplant, and must be within a short distance of the hospital for at least 3 months post operation.
Carl loves to spend time with his family, his daughters Heather; and Erin (Charles) and their daughters Jocelyn and Gracelyn; and his son Travis (Charla) and their two sons Linkin and Maddox and wants to watch his grandchildren grow. After working long hours at a job he enjoyed to immediately having covid and no longer able to do the things he loves has been very hard on him and his children and grandchildren. Doing small things like attending church, going to his grandchildren’s sports games to taking them to the park have been nearly impossible.
Carl and Cinda both had to retire earlier than planned and they are in much need of help with all of these costs. During the long stays in Chicago, his wife Cinda had to stay in hotels and pay for meals as well. They have now found an apartment nearby, but the costs are astronomical. The cost of the apartment, all of the hotels and the cost of anti-rejection medications he will need afterwards which are not completely covered by insurance, are such a large burden they cannot financially afford.
Family and friends of Carl Allison are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.
Carl has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
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