Terry Heeren
Donation protected
My name is Jody Heeren, I am the daughter of Terry L Heeren born in 1947. I have been caring for my Dad over the past year and want to share his story with you.
My Dad was in the Navy and is very proud of his service in the Vietnam War from 1967-1968. He worked at the Rockford Register Star for 43 years before he retired in 2012 . He was not ready for retirement but soon found out how much he was enjoying every minute of it.
My Dad also known as "Pappy" to his 5 grandchildren enjoys every single day to it's fullest. He does not take life for granted!
In late 2014, my Dad started to have a constant cough that wouldn't go away. In October of 2015, after several doctor visits and tests we were now awaiting results from the specialists at UW of Madison, WI and we were NOT prepared for the news we were about to hear.
Dad was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease called Fibrotic NSIP (Non-specific interstitial pneumonia) and would eventually need a lung transplant. I remember the look on my Dad's face at that exact moment of hearing this news. A look I have never seen my Dad have before. He was scared and I could feel his heart breaking.
Over the next year, we traveled back and forth to UW of Madison, WI for Dad's follow-up care with the Pulmonary Specialists. He was and still is on heavy medications that surpress his immune system. The doctors were hoping these medications would slow the progression of the disease down. But, they did not work! Each time we went back Dad's Pulmonary Function Tests got worse. He was starting to have more trouble catching his breath, coughing a lot more, oxygen levels began to fall with activity. He is now on oxygen day and night.
The doctors said it was now time for Dad to be evaluated for new lungs meaning he needed a lung transplant! Dad went through 4 days of extensive testing and after almost 3 weeks of the specialists evaluating his case we finally got the call that we had been waiting for. UW said "your Dad has been listed"!
Now that Dad is on the transplant list for new lungs we are holding a benefit on Sunday, November 27th from noon - ? at Cochran's Pub in Sterling, IL.
The proceeds from the benefit will help to defray medical, travel and lodging expenses as well as the loss of income.
For those that are not able to attend the benefit but would still like to help we have created this gofundme page.
Dad is very overwhelmed already with the outpouring of support and love for him. He has the most peaceful soul I know and he truly is grateful for all that is being done for him. I will continue to care for my Dad during this journey and will be right by his side every step of the way so I too, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your help, support, love and prayers as we keep fighting!
Love & Peace
Terry and Jody
My Dad was in the Navy and is very proud of his service in the Vietnam War from 1967-1968. He worked at the Rockford Register Star for 43 years before he retired in 2012 . He was not ready for retirement but soon found out how much he was enjoying every minute of it.
My Dad also known as "Pappy" to his 5 grandchildren enjoys every single day to it's fullest. He does not take life for granted!
In late 2014, my Dad started to have a constant cough that wouldn't go away. In October of 2015, after several doctor visits and tests we were now awaiting results from the specialists at UW of Madison, WI and we were NOT prepared for the news we were about to hear.
Dad was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease called Fibrotic NSIP (Non-specific interstitial pneumonia) and would eventually need a lung transplant. I remember the look on my Dad's face at that exact moment of hearing this news. A look I have never seen my Dad have before. He was scared and I could feel his heart breaking.
Over the next year, we traveled back and forth to UW of Madison, WI for Dad's follow-up care with the Pulmonary Specialists. He was and still is on heavy medications that surpress his immune system. The doctors were hoping these medications would slow the progression of the disease down. But, they did not work! Each time we went back Dad's Pulmonary Function Tests got worse. He was starting to have more trouble catching his breath, coughing a lot more, oxygen levels began to fall with activity. He is now on oxygen day and night.
The doctors said it was now time for Dad to be evaluated for new lungs meaning he needed a lung transplant! Dad went through 4 days of extensive testing and after almost 3 weeks of the specialists evaluating his case we finally got the call that we had been waiting for. UW said "your Dad has been listed"!
Now that Dad is on the transplant list for new lungs we are holding a benefit on Sunday, November 27th from noon - ? at Cochran's Pub in Sterling, IL.
The proceeds from the benefit will help to defray medical, travel and lodging expenses as well as the loss of income.
For those that are not able to attend the benefit but would still like to help we have created this gofundme page.
Dad is very overwhelmed already with the outpouring of support and love for him. He has the most peaceful soul I know and he truly is grateful for all that is being done for him. I will continue to care for my Dad during this journey and will be right by his side every step of the way so I too, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your help, support, love and prayers as we keep fighting!
Love & Peace
Terry and Jody
Organizer and beneficiary
Jody Heeren
Organizer
Rock Falls, IL
Terry Heeren
Beneficiary
