Andrew's Liver Cirrhosis Medical Fund

I was diagnosed with Decompensated Cirrhosis/End Stage Liver Disease. My insurance has a high deductible before coverage kicks in so I really need help with medical bills. (scroll down to the bottom if you want a quick summary of what lead to this diagnosis)

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read this. I never thought that I would be starting a GoFundMe for health reasons. If you know me personally, you know that I try to keep my personal life as private as possible. However, I can no longer ignore the fact that I need help from friends and family to get through this. Whether that help comes in the form of emotional, spiritual or financial support.

As some of you may already know, a couple years ago I lost my job after having worked there for about 7 and a half years. After this happened I went into a pretty deep depression. I had always been a drinker, ever since high school, but the loss of the job definitely drove me further into what I thought was a comfort at the time and I began drinking heavily and not taking care of myself.

I was looking for a new steady job in my field but there weren’t many opportunities in the area. Eventually Francis and I ended up in Orlando. However, we just so happen to move to the area right before the Pandemic hit. Needless to say, my industry was hit pretty hard with not a lot of work to go around. As hard as it is for me to admit, at that time all I wanted to do was forget everything going on around me.

I sensed something was wrong a couple weeks before Memorial Day weekend but continued to drink and not really eat any food so my body was living off of empty beer calories and alcohol. I decided to stop drinking on June 1st because I felt something was wrong and started to eat better but by then it was too late.

Fast forward to Thursday, June 17, 2021 when my doctor called me very concerned after reviewing my labs. (I saw him previously that Monday, already concerned with my liver after seeing my skin and eyes turn yellow. I also had a very bloated stomach and cramps, it was ascites.) He called to tell me that there were many red flags in my labs but the two things he was most concerned about were my sodium levels, they were dangerously low, and my white blood cells, they were too high.

He told me that this was very dangerous because I was prone to infection and with my liver not working properly it could be fatal. They also had to ensure that they raised my sodium levels slowly over time, otherwise I could be at risk of a stroke or worse. I was admitted into the ER on June 17th and was released on the 21st of June. 

During this time they did a number of tests including a procedure for my ascites called paracentesis where they pumped out 15lbs of fluid from my stomach.

I will never forget the day the doctor walked in and gave me my diagnosis. The doctor said, “Are you scared? Well, good. I’m going to scare you even more. You have less than a 50% chance of survival over the next 3 months.” He then told me that I had End Stage Liver Disease. I found out a few days later that my MELD score or Model For End-Stage Liver Disease score was 32. With that score I qualify for liver transplant but I cannot start the process until I am 6 months sober.

Now I’m not going to make excuses as to why I am in this situation. I take full responsibility for what has happened to me, however, people of all walks of life can succumb to alcohol when in a diminished mental state. For me it has been a lifelong struggle, made worse over the last few years.

As for alcohol, I have no intention of ever touching it again. I am starting to see an addiction therapist, and am regularly going to AA meetings.

My hospital bills are growing and I have very basic insurance where I pay a very large deductible with mostly full price for ER hospital and specialist visits. Once my deductible is met my insurance should start covering the costs of any additional medical bills but I need help.

***To reduce GFM fees, you can also Venmo @andrewjhebert*** 

SUMMARY

I was hospitalized for 4 days.

• My doctor called me after reviewing my labs and told me I could not wait to see a liver specialist & that I had to go to the ER immediately.
• He was concerned that I had a dangerously low sodium level and high white blood cell count.
• They had to raise my sodium levels slowly, if done to quickly it could cause a stroke
• My stomach was extremely swollen, it was a condition called ascites, which is a telltale sign that I had liver damage
• They were trying to make sure the liquid causing this wasn’t infected
• Because of my ascites, they had to pump my stomach, removing about 15lbs of liquid

DIAGNOSIS

• I was given a 52% mortality rate over the next 3 months, this can change depending on how my body reacts to lifestyle changes
• I was given a MELD (Model For End-Stage Liver Disease) score of 32
• This score is used to determine the urgency for liver transplant, I definitely qualify and will be able to start the process after at least 6 months of sobriety

HOW I’M DOING

• I have been sober since June 1, 2021.
• I get my blood drawn and see a liver specialist every week 
• I am doing AA meetings and have my first appointment with an addiction counselor on July 9, 2021.

FINANCIAL NEED

• My insurance has a very large deductible that needs to be met so that they can then start covering my medical expenses.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!