Gary Durys

Hello everyone! My name is Nazarath and I'd love to take some time to tell you all about one of THE most important people in my life. Not just my life, but the lives of countless others. He is the type of person who has made it a priority to be there for everyone and anyone in need. Gary is my Godfather, but he is so so much more than that to me. He is like a father to me. He has helped raise me and as a single mother, he has had a hand in raising my son. He has done so much for me and not just me, so many other people have stories/moments just like mine.

Just like everyone reading this, he's worked his entire life. Not just his full-time job either, but helping family, friends and those in need. He has always been there to lend a helping hand when someone was down on their luck or strapped for cash. From helping build houses to fixing vehicles, and even babysitting little ones.

Just like all of you reading this, he has had struggles, he has overcome loss and hardships.

I feel as if there is no way I can come close to describing just how amazing this man is.

He is modest, caring, loving and compassionate.

And right now, he needs our help.

In December 2021, Gary contracted COVID-19. He wasn't too sick at first, but shortly after he developed some pretty serious symptoms. He started noticing severe swelling in his legs and abdominal area. He was in quite a bit of pain but waited a bit to see if it would go away on its own. It didn't. It just kept getting worse. He went to the emergency room and found out he had developed blood clots in his legs. He went to his primary care physician for further treatment. After a few more appointments, diagnosis, and different courses of treatment later, he still had no relief.

At this time he was referred to The Venous Institute of Buffalo. At this appointment, the physician immediately sent him to see a vascular surgeon. She scheduled him for surgery to remove the blood clots and after healed, start him on blood thinners to keep him from getting any more. A few days later he went to Buffalo General Hospital for the surgery. The surgery was supposed to only take an hour or 2, after 4 or 5 hours a nurse came out to tell his wife that it was taking longer because she wasn't able to get through to remove the blood clots. When the doctor finally finished closing up his legs where she had tried to remove the clots, she came out to explain why she wasn't able to get them out. She explained that Gary's inferior vena cava was inaccessible either because it is also blocked or it isn't there at all. He has smaller veins but not larger ones. Until he developed the blood clots the smaller ones could handle his blood pressure and flow but when he developed the clots, the smaller ones are not able to handle it anymore. She started him on blood thinners to try to dissolve the clots. After all of that, not only is he still in pain but he has developed other symptoms such as debilitating fatigue, vertigo/dizziness, shortness of breath, and chronic brain fog that causes confusion, forgetfulness, lack of focus and mental clarity. The physicians are treating his symptoms but still have not found a cause. Since all of this, he has had dozens of abnormal tests. He has been unable to work, and because they have yet to find a diagnosis, he is unable to receive disability benefits just yet. With all of his medical bills, trips to specialists, medical equipment, cost of prescriptions, not to mention the basic expenses for groceries, utilities, etc. He would never ask himself, but he could use our help. Thank you for your time, I appreciate you all and am so grateful for your help raising funds for Gary.