Connie Olson's Lung Transplant Fund

Our mom, Connie Olson, has been on a long journey with COPD/Emphysema. Most recently, she has been actively trying to get onto the lung transplant list the past couple of years. However, due to a lung nodule the doctors at the University of Minnesota had been keeping an eye on, that had been postponed for almost a year. Mom had complained of feeling like something was stuck in her chest or just not feeling right.  It turns out that we do know our bodies best! This lung nodule ended up being cancerous and Connie underwent surgery for this, which was located right behind her mediastinum. This obviously was a huge surgery for her due to the location (between the lungs) and the risks associated with it, such as not being able to come off the ventilator with her weakened lungs. This surgery took place in February and she was able to make a recovery even though the first week was really rough on her! Her cancer being able to be fully removed was what was riding on her being able to be on the lung transplant list. The University of Minnesota said that if they could get it all in one fell swoop, she would be good to go to be on the transplant list. And they did. 

Fast forward to March and COVID-19 hit. The stay-at-home orders began and then medical procedures were paused, including lung transplants. Finally they started back up again and mom put in her final paperwork  as soon as she could to get put on the transplant list after tests showed the cancer was completely gone. She officially got put on the transplant list in mid-July and just the next month on August 26th, at around 3:30 P.M., I called mom after seeing on Facebook Messenger she had said "omg, hello, hello?" to me. I asked what was wrong and received no answer so quickly called her. She told me that the University of Minnesota had called and that a miracle had happened, THEY HAD LUNGS!! Except in typical mom style, she was worried about her scheduled move to Brainerd that was supposed to happen that coming weekend. I hung up and immediately called my sister, Krissy, asking her to talk some sense into her. Mom thankfully got over her shock and accepted the lungs! Thus the whirlwind started as we rushed down to the cities and mom got on the medical airplane. 

We got to speak with mom briefly in the wee hours of August 27th right before she went in for surgery. She seemed strong, determined, and ready, although worried as expected. Mom is a strong lady, though, and she came out of the surgery well. The nurses are saying she's doing very well so far which is great. She did get her intubation tube taken out and is currently breathing on her own with only a small amount of oxygen being provided. However, this can always change with something like lung transplants as the risks are also very high. Not only that, but this is literally just the beginning of her journey, as she has months and months of recovery and rehab as she journeys into this world of having new lungs. 

We are starting this GoFundMe in order to help alleviate some of the financial burden that arises when insurance doesn't cover everything. Mom is expected to stay down in the Minneapolis area for at least 3 months after surgery for numerous tests, rehab, etc. She is currently 14th on the list of apartments the University has available for patients in situations like these. The list is longer than usual due to COVID-19 and other housing that would typically be open (like Ronald McDonald house) being closed. The monthly rental for this is almost $1800 a month, which would be on top of what she owes on her normal apartment. This is on the cheaper side as private housing would be much more expensive. We are hoping to alleviate the burden of the extra rent at this time for when she transfers out of the hospital and anything extra would go towards costs associated with her anti-rejection medications that she'll have to be on for the rest of her life, travel, groceries, and the actual cost of the surgery that's not covered by insurance that will be very high. We appreciate any and all donations!! And even if you aren't able to give, we especially appreciate any thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much!