Ken Gustafson's Liver Transplant

Friends and Family,

 

I am reaching out on behalf of Ken and Katelyn Gustafson to ask for your help.

 

When he was a teenager, Ken was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a disease of the bile ducts. His condition has been closely managed over the last twenty years, but his health has deteriorated rapidly over the previous 12 months, and he is now in liver failure and preparing for a liver transplant. Ken has spent the last week undergoing testing at Mayo Clinic to determine his eligibility for a liver transplant. Due to the seriousness of his condition, they expect that to happen soon.

 

Ken has an incredibly long road ahead of him. Once he has his liver transplant, he must remain in the hospital for approximately 7-10 days. Then, he will need to stay in Rochester, in a hotel close to Mayo Clinic, before he is allowed to recover at home in Kasson. Ken and Katelyn are planning to hire a home health aide as he will require 24/7 care for several weeks following his transplant.

 

Any time Ken takes off work is entirely unpaid as he has exhausted all his paid time off because of the multiple endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERPC) procedures he’s undergone this year. Ken has another ERPC scheduled for Monday, June 27th.

 

As you all know, Ken and Katelyn have four beautiful young sons – Nolin (8), Ashton (4), Elliott (2), and Logan (1). The three youngest are in daycare, and Nolin will be in 3rd grade this fall. Ken and Katelyn are trying their absolute best to create normalcy for the boys during this stressful time.

 

We are hoping to raise funds to offset the loss of income as Ken will be unable to work for long periods while he prepares for surgery and again once he has the transplant. He does not receive any short-term disability at work, so any time off is entirely unpaid. Complicating matters further, Katelyn will also be required to take off long work periods to be a full-time caregiver to Ken during the most intense and critical recovery periods. All funds will go towards offsetting the loss of income, and medical expenses, including the transplant itself, and cover any bills they have in the coming months.

 

If you are able, your support and contribution are needed to provide Ken and Katelyn with financial assistance during this difficult time.

 

Thank you so much for considering a donation – I know they will be very appreciative.

Please share this page with anyone who may be interested in helping Ken and Katelyn during this time.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rachel Pike-Norton
(Ken’s Sister-in-Law & Katelyn’s Sister)