Help Michael Pendergrast live
Donation protected
It was March, 2020 when our lives changed drastically. My husband Michael and I both got Covid 19. We were able to fight the illness at home but we had never been so sick. After a month I started feeling better but my husband was still struggling. He couldn't breath and he would have to sleep sitting up, and still does so, because he would wake up having panic attacks due to not being able to catch his breath. He felt so weak but was told he would slowly get better but instead he steadily got worse.
Michael is a War Veteran and an Postal Employee of 27 years. He was strong and healthy, would walk several miles a day. He became our main provider after I had to get a disability retirement from my job of 18 years as a Clerk and a Supervisor at the Post Office. We lost the house we called home and everything we worked so hard for.
This strong man that I have been married to for 16 years and have raised 5 beautiful children with began to become so weak. After months of not working due to Covid we faced eviction and our Utilities were shut off. We were able to find some help so we wouldn't become homeless but that help was very minimal and has ran out.
Fast forward thru several months of not being able to breathe or function, months of being told by doctors it would improve, my husband felt defeated. Michael looked me in the eyes and told me he felt like he was dying. Little did we know he was right. My heart sank when I seen the desperation in his eyes and it was then that we decided to go to Emergency. That was the first of many hospitalizations. He had fluid in his lungs and fluid all thru his body. They drained 25lbs of fluid from Michael. We were told he was in heart failure, the left side of his heart was no longer working. His liver, Pancreas, and several Lymphnoids were enlarged and they didnt know why.
It is now December and my husband is still sick and still out of work. We have sold everything of value just to make it, including my wedding rings. We have lost our health insurance and life insurance. We do have a limited amount of time to sign up for Cobra but I know we can't afford it. I am waiting for all the paperwork though. We are collecting bottles from members of our community to try and raise some money.
On December 18, 2020 we finally got a diagnosis but it's not what anyone wants to hear. Michael was diagnosed with Amyloidoisis, it is a rare blood disease. Only 2,000 Americans get it each year and it usually affects people in their 60s and 70s. My husband is only 48. This was all brought on by Covid. This disease has attacked his heart, stomach, and possible kidneys. This is not curable but it can go into remission. In order to treat this Michael has to do Chemo and have a Bone marrow transplant.
Due to us losing our health Insurance the VA is going to cover the majority of the transplant but we have to go to Nashville, TN. The recovery time in the hospital is 30 to 100 days! If we could pay for insurance he could get the surgery at the UofM. I need help in order to make that happen.
I am reaching out to everyone who took the time to read this all the way thru. We are barely making it. We don't have the extra money for Insurance or to travel to Tennessee, much less put me up for 100 days possibly.
We are scared and we are embarrassed to ask for help but at this point we truly need it. My husband is such a loving man and he deserves to live a long happy, and healthy life. Please help make it possible.
I have tried to get help thru DHS and we were refused. We are starting the process of filing for disability retirement and Social Security but all that takes time We have found that we don't have the luxury of time unfortunately. If we don't get help my husband will die.
We are asking for donations but also prayers and positive thoughts and energy.
If you have taken the time to read all of this I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please pray, send positive energy and please SHARE this!
We will keep you all updated. Much love to you all!
Michael is a War Veteran and an Postal Employee of 27 years. He was strong and healthy, would walk several miles a day. He became our main provider after I had to get a disability retirement from my job of 18 years as a Clerk and a Supervisor at the Post Office. We lost the house we called home and everything we worked so hard for.
This strong man that I have been married to for 16 years and have raised 5 beautiful children with began to become so weak. After months of not working due to Covid we faced eviction and our Utilities were shut off. We were able to find some help so we wouldn't become homeless but that help was very minimal and has ran out.
Fast forward thru several months of not being able to breathe or function, months of being told by doctors it would improve, my husband felt defeated. Michael looked me in the eyes and told me he felt like he was dying. Little did we know he was right. My heart sank when I seen the desperation in his eyes and it was then that we decided to go to Emergency. That was the first of many hospitalizations. He had fluid in his lungs and fluid all thru his body. They drained 25lbs of fluid from Michael. We were told he was in heart failure, the left side of his heart was no longer working. His liver, Pancreas, and several Lymphnoids were enlarged and they didnt know why.
It is now December and my husband is still sick and still out of work. We have sold everything of value just to make it, including my wedding rings. We have lost our health insurance and life insurance. We do have a limited amount of time to sign up for Cobra but I know we can't afford it. I am waiting for all the paperwork though. We are collecting bottles from members of our community to try and raise some money.
On December 18, 2020 we finally got a diagnosis but it's not what anyone wants to hear. Michael was diagnosed with Amyloidoisis, it is a rare blood disease. Only 2,000 Americans get it each year and it usually affects people in their 60s and 70s. My husband is only 48. This was all brought on by Covid. This disease has attacked his heart, stomach, and possible kidneys. This is not curable but it can go into remission. In order to treat this Michael has to do Chemo and have a Bone marrow transplant.
Due to us losing our health Insurance the VA is going to cover the majority of the transplant but we have to go to Nashville, TN. The recovery time in the hospital is 30 to 100 days! If we could pay for insurance he could get the surgery at the UofM. I need help in order to make that happen.
I am reaching out to everyone who took the time to read this all the way thru. We are barely making it. We don't have the extra money for Insurance or to travel to Tennessee, much less put me up for 100 days possibly.
We are scared and we are embarrassed to ask for help but at this point we truly need it. My husband is such a loving man and he deserves to live a long happy, and healthy life. Please help make it possible.
I have tried to get help thru DHS and we were refused. We are starting the process of filing for disability retirement and Social Security but all that takes time We have found that we don't have the luxury of time unfortunately. If we don't get help my husband will die.
We are asking for donations but also prayers and positive thoughts and energy.
If you have taken the time to read all of this I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please pray, send positive energy and please SHARE this!
We will keep you all updated. Much love to you all!
Organizer
Jenny Boles
Organizer
Ypsilanti, MI