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Lung transplant expenses

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I have a rare lung disease called Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. There is no cure for this disease. This progressive disease will cause persistent lung scarring and infections that can lead to pulmonary failure and death. Basically I'm hyper allergic to 3 different molds and the molds that I'm allergic to causes my body to attack my lungs, which causes inflammation and scar tissue to form. Scar tissue in your lungs never goes away. Its difficult for me get enough oxygen for me to function normally. I don't smoke and I've never been a smoker.

This disease progressed quickly for me.

In November 2019 I was hospitalized with respiratory failure. Prior to November I felt pretty normal. I was a little breathless at times, but I chalked that up to being out of shape. After getting out of the hospital, I still couldn't keep my oxygen level up high enough, so I was put on oxygen. I've been on oxygen ever since. I've been placed on medicine that suppresses my immune system. I'm not able to fight any thing off, not the common cold, not the flu, not anything. It's pretty scary being on this medicine during a pandemic. The medicine helps me by telling my body not to attack itself.  I have a team of doctors and nurses at UC San Francisco that are helping me with this type of interstitial lung disease that I have.  They have told me that I need a lung transplant. I have about 40 percent of my lung function at my last pulmonary function test that I had done in March.  I am currently doing many tests for transplant assessment. I won't know if I will get one or two lungs until the time of transplant.  I will have to have two caregivers with me at all times during a minimum of a 6 week recovery period.  Me and my caretakers have to live in San Francisco within 30 driving minutes of UCSF Parnassus for that minimum 6 week recovery period. My transplant team said that I need to have at least $10,000 to live on during that period for after transplant expenses and living expenses while I'm down there. 
I've been on state disability insurance since November.  I believe my house has made me sick. I've had a roof leak in my mobile home for a long time which has caused my home to be wet...wetness in Humboldt causes mold. I've been cleaning it with bleach, but I just recently found out that bleach doesn't kill mold, it only bleaches it.  I've been told I can't stay in my house, that it's killing me, so I've been staying with my oldest daughter temporarily until I can figure out how to come up with fixing my house or moving. I can't afford to do either one. 
I'm a very proud person. Its difficult for me to ask for help, but I just don't know how I can pull these tasks off on my own. 
This transplant will give me a second chance at life. It's with sincere gratitude and heart felt thanks that you consider donating. Thank you!
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Donations 

  • Debra Swarts
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $147 
    • 4 yrs
  • Erin King
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
  • Shannan Crozier
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
  • Xia Vang
    • $100 
    • 4 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Shannon Kenney
Organizer
Eureka, CA

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