Jim Caulkins Transplant/Health Care Fund

A lifetime of medical hardship & the gift of life:

      Jim Caulkins, my dad, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes in his teen years.  This is a difficult and life-altering diagnosis. Over the years, he struggled to keep the disease under control, but it wore away at his health and his confidence. Especially as he was a successful high school athlete, and always had the strength and grit to do it all.              Much of my dad’s life had been spent with needles, doctors, tests, frequent bouts of sickness, ambulance trips, etc. Things kept getting worse, and his health declined to the point where he needed a kidney/pancreas transplant. 15 years ago, (2004) he ended up receiving the gift of life through a cadaver donor ( a donor that has passed away).  It was overwhelming for my dad, who would literally do just about anything for anyone, and is more comfortable giving than receiving, that his miracle would come from another’s family’s devastating loss.  It was a moment of utter humility to receive such a gift.  It was truly a miracle.


After the 1st transplant:

My dad’s body did not reject the organs, and after healing, he was able to return to working full-time as a county corrections officer (he and his wife’s main source of income), and to being active once again with his family, his church, and his friends.  However, the diabetes, prior to the transplant, had taken a fierce toll on his body.  He had declining vision, rapid blood pressure changes, ranging from being so low that he can barely get up, to being so dangerously high that his life was in danger, neuropathy (pain and numbness) from his feet to his knees, etc. When I watch him walk, especially right now, I see a tired limp from not being able to feel his feet and lower legs, and my heart hurts.  

A few years ago, the transplanted kidney showed signs of decline.  On average, transplanted kidneys last between 10 and 12 years, so we are so thankful that he exceeded the average.  On the distant horizon then, was the next medical solution, another transplanted kidney, but from a living donor.  



An extremely difficult year:

Life has become a journey of watching the GFR (kidney function) drop, and his health start to decline drastically once again.  He has had several major setbacks in the past year.  We thought we had more time.  

In the Spring of 2018, my dad literally got out of bed one day without the ability to see anything clearly.  He was deemed legally blind.  In one day, he lost all independence. Though he still has some sight, everyday things can sometimes prove to be difficult and he can no longer drive, work, etc. You can imagine what a blow this has been emotionally on the 52 year old husband, father and papa.  The financial hardships have been a major blow as well as his job was the main source of income for their household.

In December of 2018, he contracted a dangerous and difficult-to-diagnose stomach virus.  It took several ER visits battling unyielding stomach flu symptoms that led to severe dehydration.  After several weeks, he was finally accurately diagnosed, hospitalized, and quarantined due to the severity of the virus.  At the start of the illness, my dad’s kidney function GFR was 20%.  At the worst of this illness, he had lost 20 pounds, and his GFR dropped to 13%.  He rebounded a bit after healing, but has since declined once again to Stage 4 kidney failure. His GFR (kidney function) is averaging around 15%.  His weight remains dangerously low, and he has very low energy and strength.  His body is ready for the living donor kidney transplant.  



A HUGE FINANCIAL NEED:

This is where we need your help.  We know many of you have walked this 30+ year journey with my dad and our family, and we have been blessed to be part of a small close-knit community.   The timing for what he needs is really significant now, and the funding needed to even schedule the transplant is overwhelming, especially after the increase of hospital visits and testing, both locally and at UW Madison, and having to stop working completely following the blindness.  

We are currently screening to find a living kidney donor, but for my dad to proceed and be cleared for surgery, two important needs are immediate.  

1. We have to have $5,000 in an account to show the transplant program that the funds are present to cover at least one year of the insurance premiums they will have to pay after the transplant.  Even if a donor is found today, we couldn’t proceed without these funds.

2. My dad is in need major dental work. He will not be cleared for surgery until most or all of these issues are dealt with due to health and infection risks.   This will cost around $10,000.  Again, even if a donor is found today, he won’t be cleared for surgery before dental work is complete.  


Beyond the most immediate needs above,  they already have $15,000 in current unpaid medical bills that have accumulated over just the past 1.5 years since he lost his vision, job, insurance, etc. 

Then there are the expenses that will accumulate after the transplant. Not only the cost of the transplant itself, but also numerous  follow up appointments, lab work, and an intense regimen of anti-rejection medication. 

  We are estimating a need of about $50,000. The reality is we don’t know exactly what will be needed, but this is actually a pretty conservative estimate.    It is a huge number, and we are stunned by it.  We are also humbled, prayerful, and hopeful as we reach out to ask you to come alongside of us.   As his daughter, I am writing this on behalf of my dad, and my family, because if you do know him, you know he wouldn’t.  I wish we could bear this burden alone as a family, but we cannot.   We are so grateful for you.