Sheilagh & Gene's Medical Fund
December 1, 2016 Dialysis change for Sheilagh and Gene's cancer is in remission.
A big change is taking place in the Soules/Schenk household come December 7, 2016. On that day a dialysis machine from the NxStage company will be brought into our apartment and used 4 times a week for 3 hours each session to dialyze Sheilagh instead of going to a dialysis clinic for 6 hours 3 times a week. We have high expectations that Sheilagh will have cleaner blood and less anxiety as a result of this change.
This is a big step for both of us to take on the responsibilities that go along with this type of dialysis. Others have done it successfully and we have confidence that we will be able to also deploy it successfully. It is only through the help of family and friends that two "political missionaries", as we are, have been able to deal with the day to day financial pressures that have come into our lives as a result of the medical issues that have come our way. We thank all of our family and friends for their ongoing support through these challenging times.
July 2015, Dialysis for Sheilagh and Cancer for Gene.
Sheilagh and I have been waging medical battles since May 29, 2007 when Sheilagh suffered a type A aortic arch dissection that required emergency surgery and left her on dialysis. Below is Sheilagh with Dr. Zama who saved her life.
On July 9th of this year, I was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, just as Sheilagh was forced to go back on dialysis due to her transplanted kidney gradually failing. The medical bills continue to pile up and we continue to fight to be productive citizens. Sheilagh is working several hours a day at Systra Engineering and I continue to work as many hours as possible from home as an asterisk phone system communcations manager and political organizer.
Many of you already know Sheilagh's fight and how strong she has been through it all. She has been my inspiration through all of her difficult times. I hope you take the time to read about the battle she has waged to have victory over aortic dissection and the resulting end stage renal disease.
This is not a time for Sheilagh and I to bashful, we need your help. The funds you contribute will help to ease the burden now falling on our shoulders during these difficult times. My chemotherapy, if all goes well, will last at least until after January 1, 2016. For updates from Sheilagh and I on the fight, click here.
Whether you can contribute to the fight or not, Sheilagh and I look forward to hearing from you.
As you can see in the picture above, I have lost a few pounds. My doctor, Dr. Sarma, of Virginia Cancer Specialists, is happy with where we are in the fight. We just have to keep going.
Best wishes and keep fightin'!
Gene and Sheilagh