Let's get Tom & Sandy home together!

Hello all:

 

My name is Erin Kunkel, Tom McDonald's daughter. What Dad and Sandy have gone through this last year is weighing heavily on them now more than ever. In January 2021, Dad collapsed after a near-fatal aortic aneurysm. In fact, the survival rate is slim to none. Thankfully first responders arrived very quickly and transported him locally, where they determined he needed emergency surgery. He was flown to the University of Missouri Hospital where he underwent life-saving open heart surgery. A long and grueling recovery followed over the next several months. He worked so hard to progress from the hospital to extended care where he suffered a heart attack and was rushed back to the hospital. This didn't set him back too far as he was back to extended care in what seemed like the blink of an eye. FINALLY, he went home in early April. A few short months later, he noticed trouble breathing again and Sandy took him a countless number of times to the ER. Between those visits, regular doctor visits, medication changes, etc. nothing was getting better. Here we are, ready to wrap up 2021 and Dad has been in the hospital again since late October, following another open heart surgery. Apparently his first emergency surgery was thought to be the solution, but it wasn't. Meanwhile his heart was overly stressed along with rest of his organs, resulting in quite a bit of damage. On top of this, his heart stopped during surgery and he also suffered a stroke. We also think he may lose the fingertips on his right hand and possibly all of his toes. The biggest struggle at this point is finding the right facility that can support his needs when he is ready. Unfortunately that’s unpredictable as this recovery has been up and down, almost more difficult than his previous recovery. I cannot say enough about his determination and fight, along with the INCREDIBLE support from his best friend and wife Sandy. She’s been his rock through everything and has traveled back and forth from their home to the University, which is just far enough that making the drive daily would be too much. It’s impossible to know what’s been spent on travel and lodging, although the folks at Drury Inn in Columbia have been magnificent to Sandy, me and my AMAZING aunts when we’ve visited.

 

They’re estimating more significant expenses to start 2022 and never once have they thought about asking for help. Dad has always taken care of others without question and I’d like to return that favor to him and Sandy when they need it most. The love and support we’ve all felt has been absolutely incredible. That alone is one of the biggest blessings!