George Myers

Hi my name is George, I have sarcoidosis, been living with and thriving with it for over 13-15 years now, a long time. In late 2018 early 2019 I started having repeat issues, thinking my sarcoid was acting up, no longer in a remissive state, I was having the flu-like/pneumonia symptoms, was on and off antibiotics over about 4 months. I lost over 25-30 pounds in those 4 month. Something was wrong. I’m a professional commercial truck driver (18 wheeler) but I could barely deliver my loads and was exhausted between trips. Every time I was done with the antibiotics the infection/symptoms came right back. No this was not COVID.

My pulmonologist said he wanted me tested and referred me to another specialty pulmonary team because he thought I had a serious lung infection; I did. I was diagnosed with a bacterial infection known as MAC early 2019. I was so sick I was admitted to the hospital to treat the infection, dehydration and they almost inserted feeding tube but fortunately the team of doctors said they’d monitor me on meds and my appetite, fortunately, I did NOT have to get the feeding tube. But I was on a bunch of meds, was in pulmonary rehab or physical therapy to build my lung function, muscle mass I lost and ability to breathe back up. I was doing good. Finally, after about a year and a half, I had what they call culture conversion (meaning the MAC bacteria was no longer present in my sputum or labs/my CT was stable) late 2020 until early this spring 2022.

Spring 2022 ‘the MAC was back’ but I felt fine, stronger and had no symptoms! Until I started feeling bad. Then I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PHT). It’s not regular high blood pressure, my BP is usually low. PHT is a thickening in the walls of the arteries (lung to heart connection). But by mid-summer I started feeling more fatigued (MAC was back) and winded and fast forward to August I had to restart rounds of antibiotics and infusions to treat the MAC infection. My doctors told me my lungs were worsening and I’d need a double lung transplant. By the week of September 15 I was in a weeklong transplant evaluation, the team saw what looked like a secondary infection on my CT. To prepare and make sure I am in the best possible condition to receive new lungs treated that as well, meaning another antibiotic via infusion.

My team of pulmonary doctors had already introduced me to the transplant team because my lungs were not in the best shape and wanted me to be aware transplant may have to be considered in the future ( we discussed this in 2021, years in the future, maybe five or so) but here we are less than a year after that conversation and I need new lungs.

My lung scans and my current physical condition along with the medical diagnosis made by the teams treating my sarcoid, MAC and PHT suggest I consider the lung transplant evaluation so I do not miss a window of opportunity for a better quality of life. Truthfully my lungs are getting worse, quickly. In short, I said all this to say, I now need a double lung transplant and need to be put on the transplant list.

I’m faithful that I’ll be put on the list and while I go through the process and next steps, I need your help to breathe easy again…

Before I am even added to the list, I must secure a minimum $5000.
Some of the uninsured expenses I’m facing for 3 months minimum during and after surgery are outlined below but the transplant team has said to plan for at least the first-year expenses and related costs.

Some uninsured related costs included but aren’t limited to the below that I know I will face:

Food/Gas/Parking for at least 3 months $3,500
Copays/Coinsurance for 3 months $500
Lodging (caretaker must be w/in 10miles MUSC while I’m in hospital) per week $1,100

My family and friends are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live in my honor, George Myers, to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

I chose 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. And please share my page on your social media platforms.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!