Extra medical expenses for lodging etc

I am starting this GoFundMe page for my daughter in law Jennifer Kampmann. Jen was born with a disease called Polycystic Kidney disease. It causes cysts to grow on her kidneys, and in her case, they were enormous and also spread to her other organs such as liver. However, they are only dangerous to the kidneys. It is an inherited disease, and it took the lives of her mother and her grandfather.

Jen is a 50-year-old wife, mother of two daughters and " Nona" to two grandchildren. She is also an educator. In 2008 Jen received her first kidney transplant….this one from her husband ( and my first born) Tony. Typically, transplanted kidneys only last for about 10 years. Jen always played by the rules taking literally HANDS full of rejection drugs every day and all other procedures to prolong the life of her kidney and it lasted over 12-13 years before it started to fail, and she was put on dialysis. She remained on that for over a year and while it was helping to save her life it was not easy. She went thru several surgeries so that they could get her fistula ( the manner in which dialysis is administered) to perform correctly. Her treatments were over 3 hours long and she spent many many of those hours sitting almost upside down on her side in a recliner facing a wall in order for it to work correctly. I don’t know much if anything about how it works but there is a dry weight measurement and if that wasn’t correct, they would end up taking too much fluid off and she would get very sick. After each treatment she would spend a day or two feeling “puny” and then it would be time to start over.

She had been put on the transplant list in Sioux Falls some time ago….her daughters were tested to be a donor but because this disease is inherited the test were inclusive if either of them carried it so they were eliminated as was I for other reason. Her Dr recently had her apply to be put on the donor program out of Omaha too and after many trips to Omaha and test and meetings she was accepted. And thanks to God from who all blessings flow this past Friday ( 11-10-23) at about 3 pm she received the call…we have a donor….she said she keeps playing the call over and over in her head. So, her and Tony were on their way to Omaha immediately and at midnight she was in the OR receiving her new kidney. As of this writing she is doing well but in a lot of pain. Having gone thru this and many other surgeries due to the disease, she knew this was in her future. We are all so grateful for this second chance and most importantly to the amazing family who gave her this gift. You cannot imagine the affection we feel for them.

However, the reason for this GoFundMe is after she is released from the hospital, she has to remain in the Omaha area for 4-6 weeks and Tony ( or someone) has to be with her. They were aware of this and were preparing for the extra cost of lodging etc during this extended stay. They both have to take a leave from their jobs for up to six weeks and it all adds up…. And the transplant came sooner than they figured. So, if anyone has a few extra dollars and would like to help ease this financial burden any donations will be so appreciated. Believe me when I say this part is very hard…..it’s hard to go out of your comfort zone and ask for help….so hard.

And lastly the family is so grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love and prayers….we would not be where we are now without it. And the donor’s family is always on our mind. If they only knew the feelings of appreciation that their gift has brought to our family.