Dear Friends and Family,
Breathing is something most of us take for granted. I know I did. But when your lungs do not provide the air you need, your body becomes paralyzed and you can’t move. Some of you know that I have Lupus. Over 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease and 2 years ago was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). I am on oxygen full time, am no longer able to work and do many everyday activities I have always been able to do. My doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have told me that my only option now is a life-saving double lung transplant.
I do have medical insurance but there are many expenses that insurance does not cover. Some of these are co-pays, deductibles, travel expenses for pre- and post-surgery evaluations, as well as considerable expenses with the need to stay in Pittsburgh prior to surgery and during the recovery period. I do not have the resources to cover these expenses. This is where your help is desperately needed.
Updates (2)
October 10, 2013
I am moving to the Pittsburgh, PA area on Nov 1 to be closer to UPMC during the bad weather.
April 15, 2013
Transplant Update
I have completed the pre-transplant testing. On April 10th UPMC said that I need to lose 55#. Where I carry my weight makes me a high risk for surgery. Please pray that I will be able to accomplish this goal before I run out of time. Once the weight is lost, UPMC will re-evaluate my surgical risk.
http://http://
