Financial Support Throughout Transplant Process

Hi everyone, my name is Tiffany. I’ve decided to put this together for my father, Steve Lucas. I’m hoping this will help take away some of the financial burden we are facing and will continue to face for quite some time.

On May 10th 2022, my children and I spent the day with my dad, working on his truck. My father ended up very ill later that evening, which resulted in him collapsing to the floor in pain. He had felt similar pain before and knew it was a bowel blockage, but this pain was much more severe than usual. In the years prior, he had around 10+ surgeries for bowel blockages and adhesion removal. Long story short, they weren’t able to get him into surgery for 15hrs. Once they got in, they realized his entire small intestine was ischemic and he would lose majority of it. He was in surgery for 4hrs while they attempted to save what small portion they could. Thankfully, he had amazing surgeons who saved his life that day.

This was only the beginning of a very long road. He was put on a ventilator but came off within 24hrs. They couldn’t believe how hard he was fighting! After a month long recovery, having a port placed for long term IV nutrition, considering he can no longer eat, and a peg tube for constant drainage, he was released to be placed on home health and referred to UPMC to be evaluated for a small bowel transplant.

On October 13th, he was med flighted out to Pittsburgh 2 weeks before his scheduled evaluation, due to our local hospital believing his colon was going ischemic this time. It turned out to be a severe case of colitis, which he has continued to battle multiple times since losing his small bowel. UPMC treated it before beginning his transplant evaluation on October 31. We remained in Pittsburgh for two weeks while he underwent extensive testing.

In December, we got the news we had been waiting for...he was approved for transplant! Now as we go through the insurance process and wait for the long awaited phone call for transplant, he is still fighting...in and out of the hospital very often. He has spent more time in a hospital than he has at home the last 9 months. Medical bills are adding up so so quickly. Many of his medications have to be paid for out of pocket. Not to mention, trying to keep his bills paid at home, our previous and upcoming stays in Pittsburgh, gas, etc. We were told to expect to stay in Pittsburgh for 3-6 months, but could be longer depending on how he recovers.

As you can see, this is such a burden financially, a burden no one should have to carry while fighting for their life.. It’s a daily battle, but my dad is a true fighter! I know times are tough on everyone right now, so if you can’t donate, please send a word of encouragement, a card, anything! He needs all the support he can get! This would take such a weight off his shoulders and bring so much joy to see so many rooting for him, and that’s truly all I want. He deserves the world. I’m telling y’all, I have the most amazing father who would do anything for anyone. To know him is to love him!

Thank you all so so much! I’ll be sure to post updates throughout the process!

#DonateLife #GiftOfLife #OrganDonation