J. Michelle Lowry

Michelle needs help!

Family and friends of J. Michelle Lowry are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

My name is Tim Lowry. My wife is Michelle Lowry and this is her story.

Michelle is the mother to 3 children, Dustin, Tiffany, and Nicole. She has 5 wonderful grandchildren Kristina, Madden, Madelynn, Emma, and Anna.

In 1995 Michelle was diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis of the Liver. This is an autoimmune disease and meant that her body was attacking its own liver. She was told she would eventually need a transplant. Over the course of 28 years, Michelle’s condition was managed by medication, care, and frequent exams. This allowed her to remain stable and live a fairly normal life.

The past few years have been more difficult as her disease has progressed. Michelle has experienced many symptoms but continued to stay strong. She was referred to the transplant list 5 years ago at which time she was told she was not ready. She was reevaluated at the end of 2022 when she was again told she was not ready for the transplant list.

None of this has ever slowed Michelle down. She has always been very active. Geocaching, kayaking, trail riding in the jeep, and hiking are some of her favorite past times that we have enjoyed together over the years. Her heart is one of gold as she has always cared for those around her more than she cared for herself. Her dream is to be able to travel the world and see what it has to offer.

Unfortunately in April of 2023 Michelle took a turn for the worse. Michelle started experiencing lethargy, weakness, and then jaundice. She was hospitalized for 4 days at which time her liver enzyme numbers showed signs of failure. While hospitalized her lab work started to improve and she was released home.

Unfortunately she was never the same after this, the lethargy only increased. She grew more and more tired and weak. Michelle was readmitted to the hospital on Saturday 5/06/23. She was admitted to the ICU for treatment and it was determined her liver had failed completely and she would need a new one. After receiving treatment at a hospital in Ocala she was transferred to Shands to be evaluated for a liver. After 2 months of being in the ICU, 11 surgeries/procedures, and numerous tests the financial toll of medical bills has become a burden. Her monthly medication alone could possibly be about $1500-$2000/month out of pocket.

Throughout all of this Michelle has had ups and downs. She is now progressing in the right direction and has finally received the new liver she deserves and has fought for all of these years! Her road to recovery is not one that will end anytime soon and will continue both financially and physically.

As her husband I ask that anything you can help donate to her in this time of need will be more than appreciated. As Michelle travels down this road to recovery there will be many obstacles in the way. These will range from emotional, to physical, to mental, and financial. Since Michelle is at Shands in Gainesville, her family and myself have had to find lodging as well as food. I appreciate anything that you are able to donate. This will help relieve the financial stress and allow her family to better focus on the support Michelle needs as she travels down this road!

While some may not be able to contribute financially, the family would appreciate all prayers and encouraging words. Your thoughts are a helpful contribution in this heartbreaking time.

We need all hands on deck to bring the foundation of our family home!

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

Thank you for your support!