Michael Kopp and Family
Donation protected
As many may remember, in 2020, Michael Kopp was rushed to the hospital and found out that he had severe liver damage and at the time was only given 3 months to live. They advised him to see if Kansas City would put him on their list for a transplant, as it was more likely to get a liver sooner than St. Louis hospitals could offer. After reaching out, KC hospital asked for him to come out for an evaluation. Michael’s sister and brother in law, Lauren and Dannie Mayer, drove Michael to Kansas City immediately. At that time, the doctors evaluated him and decided he would be a good candidate to be placed on the liver transplant list.
After being placed on the transplant list in March 2021, there were many things that needed to line up correctly. Michael had already moved in with Lauren and Dannie and the doctors suggested that he remain with them until after the transplant. In April 2021, they received a call that there was a viable liver for him and that he needed to head to Kanas City that same day because the surgery for the transplant would take place the next morning. All three drove back out to Kansas City, anxiously awaiting the surgery. The following morning they waited and waited and finally, in the afternoon, they took Michael back and started prepping him for the transplant. After the surgeons removed the donor liver, they were informed that liver was not viable and had to tell Michael and the family. The drive home an hour later was filled with sadness and so many huge emotions, as one could only imagine.
After returning to St. Louis, they felt better about knowing what kind of process they would face in the future. Michael continued to do virtual visits with the Kansas City doctors and would go once a month to get blood drawn, checking his meld score each time. It was a long journey, but it seemed to be heading in the right direction. On Friday, March 11th 2022, St. Lukes in Kansas City called and told Michael that they have a liver for him. They had to leave promptly and be prepared to stay multiple weeks in Kansas City. Michael and Laurens’ Uncle David agreed to drive so Dannie could stay back home with the kids. Lauren would be staying with Michael for the surgery, the healing process and ALL his post operative visits. During this extended period of time, she would be living out of a hotel so she was close by for everything.
The sugery was a success and Michael is now recovering with Lauren by his side in a AirBNB with uncertainty when they can both come home. Dannie and the kids drove a friends vehicle out to KC to Lauren so that they could see their mom. Since she has been taking Michael to all his follow-up appointments with the Hepatic Surgery department, they left the friends vehicle so that Lauren could have a car to get around. Dannie and the kids returned to St. Louis on the Amtrak a few days later. Due to the fact that Lauren has power of attorney, she has to be there and has been by his side this whole time. She has missed out on work, and family time with her two children, ages 4 and 5. She has been trying to work as she has big events planned at work in the coming weeks and is missing her kids and friends while caring for Michael.
With everything that has been said above, the cost for being in Kansas City has taken a toll on finances; and Lauren and Dannie will need to make some further home modifications as Michael will be living with them for another year to recover and will be making multiple trips to follow-up in KC. Therefore; we have created this GoFundMe in order to defray the costs for Lauren, family and Michael. If you can make any monetary donations; it would be greatly appreciated.
After being placed on the transplant list in March 2021, there were many things that needed to line up correctly. Michael had already moved in with Lauren and Dannie and the doctors suggested that he remain with them until after the transplant. In April 2021, they received a call that there was a viable liver for him and that he needed to head to Kanas City that same day because the surgery for the transplant would take place the next morning. All three drove back out to Kansas City, anxiously awaiting the surgery. The following morning they waited and waited and finally, in the afternoon, they took Michael back and started prepping him for the transplant. After the surgeons removed the donor liver, they were informed that liver was not viable and had to tell Michael and the family. The drive home an hour later was filled with sadness and so many huge emotions, as one could only imagine.
After returning to St. Louis, they felt better about knowing what kind of process they would face in the future. Michael continued to do virtual visits with the Kansas City doctors and would go once a month to get blood drawn, checking his meld score each time. It was a long journey, but it seemed to be heading in the right direction. On Friday, March 11th 2022, St. Lukes in Kansas City called and told Michael that they have a liver for him. They had to leave promptly and be prepared to stay multiple weeks in Kansas City. Michael and Laurens’ Uncle David agreed to drive so Dannie could stay back home with the kids. Lauren would be staying with Michael for the surgery, the healing process and ALL his post operative visits. During this extended period of time, she would be living out of a hotel so she was close by for everything.
The sugery was a success and Michael is now recovering with Lauren by his side in a AirBNB with uncertainty when they can both come home. Dannie and the kids drove a friends vehicle out to KC to Lauren so that they could see their mom. Since she has been taking Michael to all his follow-up appointments with the Hepatic Surgery department, they left the friends vehicle so that Lauren could have a car to get around. Dannie and the kids returned to St. Louis on the Amtrak a few days later. Due to the fact that Lauren has power of attorney, she has to be there and has been by his side this whole time. She has missed out on work, and family time with her two children, ages 4 and 5. She has been trying to work as she has big events planned at work in the coming weeks and is missing her kids and friends while caring for Michael.
With everything that has been said above, the cost for being in Kansas City has taken a toll on finances; and Lauren and Dannie will need to make some further home modifications as Michael will be living with them for another year to recover and will be making multiple trips to follow-up in KC. Therefore; we have created this GoFundMe in order to defray the costs for Lauren, family and Michael. If you can make any monetary donations; it would be greatly appreciated.
Co-organizers (3)
Stephanie McBride
Organizer
Affton, MO
Lauren Mayer
Beneficiary
Julia Thomas-Crouse
Co-organizer
Lauren Mackinaw
Co-organizer