Family and friends of Jeffrey Boyd are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a Transplant. Jeffrey has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses. He will need to see multiple doctors and varying frequencies. Not only that but he’s finally been put on the kidney wait list. Since he’s O+, his wait time will be approximately 4-5 years. We’re hoping that he’ll get a kidney sooner through your help. He’s also on dialysis as well. His kidney function has fallen below 20% and he has a catheter inserted into his abdomen for an at-home dialysis treatment. If you or you know someone who is able to donate (whether is be a matching kidney or financially), please don’t hesitate to do so. If you’re unable to, please share the link to this page or the link below for signing up to see if you’re eligible to donate. He doesn’t have a set donation goal since a lot of variables are up in the air but when things become more concrete, a set number will be in place.
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His story:
It all started in 2010 while living in Baltimore. I was in my final year of university and things are looking fantastic! I am about to graduate from Salisbury University with my BFA in Graphic Design. I am working at the university as part of the recycle crew. Lastly, I am making connections that will seem to last a lifetime.
During a visit home, I had a routine doctor visit and learned that I had a higher amount of protein in my urine than recommended. I was referred to a nephrologist, who ordered a kidney biopsy. The kidney biopsy revealed that I have membranous glomerulonephritis. In other words, it is a kidney disorder that leads to changes and inflammation inside the kidney. My kidneys were unable to filter wastes properly and protein was escaping.
A couple of years later, I found an opportunity to go teach in South Korea in 2013. This opportunity also came with a bit of a scare because I knew they would do a health check at some point upon arrival. I did not know if my pre-existing condition would negate my ability to work overseas. Before leaving, I got a couple of months medicine to hold me over until I was able to find a doctor at a local hospital should I make it that long. A couple of days after my arrival to South Korea, it was time for my health check. I did not take my medicine that morning due to being unsure if they would find anything medicine related in the blood test and it triggering them to send me back home. During my health check, my blood pressure was up and they noticed some levels were high such as cholesterol, potassium, and more. I left the clinic for the day and came back on a different day. My blood pressure was more reasonable that the first time and I was cleared to work. A hospital was found and they recommended I see the rheumatologist, nephrologist, and cardiologist. I am doing this for 3 years at this point.
In July 2016, I moved to Seoul, South Korea. My most of my body was swollen. My body did not feel like my own. I could not even put on the slippers that I used to walk around the workplace. I was having complications with an enlarged heart and fluid in my lungs. I knew that they environment was much different than what I have been in. I think it was the stress of moving that may have triggered it.
When searching for a doctor in Seoul, my intentions were to find one with an international clinic that could help guide me. When I finally found one, I gave them my medical records. Based on my medical records, they ordered a biopsy. I was happy about getting the biopsy because I needed answers to what was wrong with me.
Unfortunately, the first biopsy failed, because they were unable to get tissue from my kidney. This meant that I had to wait a month before they tried again. This biopsy was successful, and they determined that I have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), which was class 4 at the time of discovery. The classes range from class 1 to class 6 with the first class being minimum damage to kidneys to the sixth class requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
This diagnosis set me into a whirlwind of worry. I worried that I would have to go back to the states, that I would need dialysis sooner than later, and about the cost of medicine and doctor appointments. I did some research and learned I had signs of lupus as an adolescent. I later realized that all the pain and swelling that I have been through was the effect of lupus.
Since South Korea had universal healthcare, some of my worries were assuaged especially when it came to making payments. I continued to see my doctors until I had to move to a new job in a new area. My first objective was to find a hospital that could meet all of my needs. I made this move multiple times in my duration overseas and again when I returned to the States.
In late 2019 and early 2020, South Korea was one of the first countries hit with COVID-19. As I learned about COVID-19, I began to worry and panic as should I get it, I wouldn’t be able to give it much of a fight. Should I stay or should I go?
Ultimately, I made the decision to leave South Korea. Upon returning home, I had the help of my parents when it came to looking for new doctors in the area. My rheumatologist at the time was very dismissive of my pain and needing more relief. I realized that I need to speak up for myself and advocate more.
I was able to find another rheumatologist in the area. It was here that I also found out that I also have rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and will need to start taking Rituximab 2 times in a 6-month period. As far as I know, I am the only one in my family that has lupus. As far as we know, 1 out of 10 of those with lupus are men. If there are other men out there who have lupus, just know that you are not alone. There may be some who are still undiagnosed. Please, just know that intentionally not getting yourself checked out is doing more self-damage than good. I implore you, men, to battle whatever it is that is holding you back from taking care of your health. It would be better to take care of yourself now and get an early diagnosis instead of waiting until it’s too late. There are men’s lupus support groups out there who are more than willing to listen and help. Raising money for the LFA is something I do on an annual basis at this point and I plan on continuing raising awareness when the opportunity presents itself. We need to find a cure. Too many lives have been lost due to the complications of lupus.
