Help Ease Financial Burden of Wade's Urgent Medical Needs

While out in Colorado (06/10/24-06/20/24) visiting/helping out Wade's dad, we spent 2 days in the ER getting tests and labs done due to worrisome symptoms that Wade was having that kept progressing (fatigue, blood in urine, hot/cold chills & sweats, not able to eat more than a few bites, rapid weight loss, etc.). Our last day there, we went back to the ER because things were not improving and some things were even getting worse. The doctors there chalked it up as altitude and dehydration, pumped him full of fluids and sent us home telling him to get in with his primary care as soon as we got back "because there is definitely something more going on with him". We arrived home Thursday night and were able to see his doctor on Friday. She immediately knew something wasn't right and sent us right over to imaging for a CT.

**shout out to Dr. Donovan for being so amazing and the radiologist for staying late to fit him in on the first Friday of the Summer**

After reading his scans they believe that this is a rare condition that has most likely been going on for some time now. Taking into consideration his current heart disease, his doctor recommended he take the weekend easy, try to get some food and nutrients in and her office will send over the referred specialists first thing Monday morning that need to be seen immediately. This issue affects his heart & GI system so we will be starting with those 2 specialists to determine if there is a treatment plan or if a heart surgery is required. His health and energy have declined quickly these past 2 weeks and he has not been able to work much if at all.

Since Wade is self-employed, he does not have disability or PTO, so if he isn't able to work, he doesn't get paid. We also missed open enrollment on the major insurances and are working on figuring something else out. The hospital visits, though expensive, allows for payments so we do not need help with that. The financial burden will arrive when we have to pay the cardiologist, GI & any other specialists upfront in order to get treatment. We are hoping that we will be able to make due with this amount until we are able to find insurance for him and it kicks in.

I have always looked at Wade's heart disease as proof of him having such a "big heart"... his love is too much for it to handle. Anyone who meets him is instantly drawn to his compassion for any living being. There is never any hesitation to help out those in need. He is the first to let someone else go ahead of him in the store, or give a card to someone he barely knows when he hears that they've lost a loved one... He always gives without the expectation of receiving. We understand that budgets are tight and want to let you know that we have 100% intentions to reciprocate your generosity by paying it forward (continuing his work with art/ youth programs and other volunteer work) once we get his health on track!

Shares are very appreciated and our deepest gratitude for any amount you are able to donate.

Thank you all!

Autumn (on behalf of Wade)