Hi y’all, I’m Charlie Bronson (no not the actor) known by most by my middle name Steve.
Can you imagine the looks and comments I’ve gotten in my 57 years when they ask for my name at a medical appointment or anywhere for that matter. It is a fun conversation! I have end stage liver disease. There is no cure for my disease; I need a liver transplant. I feel very weak today, so I am going to just be still here while my lovely wife writes out some things I’d like to share. It’s been quite the journey so far and I have a very long way to go. Thank you for being here with us.
Hi everyone, I’m Debora, Charlie “Steve’s” wife. Steve is a wonderful God-fearing husband and father, a family man. Steve loves spending quality time with his friends & family. Mostly his son, grandkids, my children, and extended family. Our 2 dogs are part of our blended family as well.
Steve’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, air boating, leatherwork, and playing one of his many guitars out of his collection. He enjoys listening to all kinds of music, preferably country and watching western movies. It’s not often you will catch him without his cowboy boots & hat.
Steve has always been full of charisma, cheerful, witty and always has a hilarious comeback that will put you in stitches. Steve lights up any room he enters for sure.
September 2023, the doctors told us that Steve had end stage liver disease and had 3 months to live. Since then, Steve has had a significant loss of independence. We had to buy new furniture: walker, wheelchair, gait belt, and a shower chair. He got new tools to work with: anti-contracture hand strengthening objects, super long stretchy rubber bands, hand weights and the type of things the therapists can use to keep his muscles from wasting away any more than they have. In the world of an energetic 57 y/o man, losing your independence and the progression of the disease process is like this:
Care giver 24 hours a day, significant and continual weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, unsteady gait, brain fog with encephalopathy, unable to work for income, can’t sleep at night, weak, tired all of the time, short of breath, everything shutting down, body parts swelling, losing muscles, wasting away, strict diet, using a walker and or wheelchair at times to get around, loss of balance, bruising everywhere, scrapes or cuts turn into wounds that won’t heal. Aches and pains that are some days unbearable. Some days, bed bound, just too weak to get up, other days not so much. Unable to shower without help. Hematomas show up for no rhyme or reason. Protein shakes 3 times a day. Medications and lots of them. Weekly lab draws, tests, home health weekly. Can’t be near friends and family, too taxing right now. This is just part of the journey we were on before you came along.
Now comes the exciting part that we want you to be a part of: Prayers and raising funds!
3 months ago, we had no idea this was even a possibility. We were informed of end-of-life options and told to get Steve’s affairs in order, call the family. To say the least, Steve and I had a long chat with God. (Psalm 103:2-3 praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.) God held our hands and walked us down a different path with a new journey backed by His promises according to His will and here we are. Raising funds to cover the medical expenses not covered by insurance pre and post-transplant. He will need lifelong anti-rejection and anti-infection medications. Pre and post-surgery medications. 24 hour a day caregiver support for approximately 6 months up to maybe a year after the transplant, travel, therapy, copays, deductibles, services from home health care, post op care. So many expenses that the medical insurance will not pay and are out of pocket.
After the transplant, we will be on a lifelong journey, but Steve is going to be in a healthier state. He is looking forward to regaining his independence, once again spending more quality time with family and friends. The thought of being able to return to his hobbies and plans to one day return to his trade to provide income contribution is quite different than end of life thoughts and plans.
We have chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in Charlie Steve Bronson’s honor 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, please do so today. Please feel free to share this campaign on all your social platforms and help us spread the word about Steve’s journey for a healthy life. Remember, when asked Liver Die, Steve chose to Live! Thank you for your support.
If you are unable to contribute funds to this campaign, we ask you to join alongside us in prayer and thoughts and are so thankful.
If you have a fundraising idea to share, please reach out to Debora and Steve at teambronson37@gmail.com
Family and friends of Charlie Bronson are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.
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.
Thank you for your generous support!
