New Heart & New Lungs for Janet Esway
Donation protected
My name is Janet Esway. I am 65 years old and I live in Watsonville, California, just south of Santa Cruz. I was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung disease in 2010. I am now in need of help to cover medical expenses. I was diagnosed in 2010 with Interstitial Lung disease, which is an Autoimmune disease. It is an over production of Collagen which ends up scaring the lung tissue. I also found out I had Raynaud’s Disease, which again is an Autoimmune disease. Raynaud’s is a narrowing of my blood vessels; which affects circulation to my hands and feet. I did not realize until many years later that it affected more than just my hands and feet. I had been working with a Pulmonologist and they suggested consulting with a Rheumatologist to discuss side effects of treatment and his suggestion was to take a muscle sample out my thigh. Prior to 2010, I lead a very active life with excellent health with a good diet and exercise as my normal routine. I cannot exercise with great intensity now as I once did.
I began being slightly out of breath, and I was having heart palpitations. I found a Cardiologist and he did a procedure to see what my pressure for each valve going to the lung and back to the heart. My pressures were half of what they should be. He said he would keep an eye out and wondered if I had the beginning of a disease called Scleraderma. This is an autoimmune disease which also causes scarring. The Cardiologist noticed while checking pressures that the right side of my heart was becoming enlarged. This resulted in the right side of my heart pumps blood through the lungs and then back to the left side of the heart. This is where the Raynaud’s developed further. The veins in my lungs are very thin, making it harder to pump blood through lungs back to the heart, so this was another reason my breathing started to get worse. My heart became enlarged on the right side.
In 2015 my pulmonologist referred me to the Chest Clinic at Stanford. My doctor was the head of the department. I started going there for treatment. I also met a doctor who practiced Eastern and Western medicine. I would see him off and on for treatments, but I could not continue because he is a cash only business. I continued with my Stanford doctors. I now had a pulmonologist, Cardiologist and a Rhuemotologist. My pulmonologist had me do a breathing test, as well as a 6 minute walk and CT scan every 6 months, plus I have my blood tested every month. My doctors suggested that I may need a heart and double lung transplant! I did all the testing they suggested and decided the risk was not worth the benefit. The risk of death and organ rejection are very high. The surgery would require being tethered to the hospital for months with a high risk of failure, not to mention the waiting list is long to obtain an organ match.
I found doctors in Monterey county. I was getting very weary of the same test and medication side effects that I did not see results in my condition. I have had 3 hospitalizations from 2018 to 2020. I realize now that I am living on borrowed time as most people with this condition have a life expectancy of 5 years. My struggles result in breathing and sleep issues. I started spending more time with my alternative doctor. I am trying different treatments now to manage my life. Every day is a gift and I am grateful for every day. He recently referred me to a company that uses products that treats the scar tissue and will help my condition.
Rather than choosing the transplant solution, I have chosen to maintain the best health I can afford. I am so grateful for my family and friends for prayers and support. My doctor has put together a plan for the next 12 to 18 months that will make life more manageable, however it is very expensive and requires out of pocket expense mostly. I am now on disability income and have a very limited budget and lifestyle. After much research, my family and I believe this is the best course of action. It will require a budget of approximately $20,000. I am grateful every day for my enduring faith in God, my family and friends. I want to thank everyone who has prayed for me, many of whom do not personally know me. I am beyond grateful, I feel so blessed for the love and support I receive every day.
Thank you, for taking a look at my page.
I began being slightly out of breath, and I was having heart palpitations. I found a Cardiologist and he did a procedure to see what my pressure for each valve going to the lung and back to the heart. My pressures were half of what they should be. He said he would keep an eye out and wondered if I had the beginning of a disease called Scleraderma. This is an autoimmune disease which also causes scarring. The Cardiologist noticed while checking pressures that the right side of my heart was becoming enlarged. This resulted in the right side of my heart pumps blood through the lungs and then back to the left side of the heart. This is where the Raynaud’s developed further. The veins in my lungs are very thin, making it harder to pump blood through lungs back to the heart, so this was another reason my breathing started to get worse. My heart became enlarged on the right side.
In 2015 my pulmonologist referred me to the Chest Clinic at Stanford. My doctor was the head of the department. I started going there for treatment. I also met a doctor who practiced Eastern and Western medicine. I would see him off and on for treatments, but I could not continue because he is a cash only business. I continued with my Stanford doctors. I now had a pulmonologist, Cardiologist and a Rhuemotologist. My pulmonologist had me do a breathing test, as well as a 6 minute walk and CT scan every 6 months, plus I have my blood tested every month. My doctors suggested that I may need a heart and double lung transplant! I did all the testing they suggested and decided the risk was not worth the benefit. The risk of death and organ rejection are very high. The surgery would require being tethered to the hospital for months with a high risk of failure, not to mention the waiting list is long to obtain an organ match.
I found doctors in Monterey county. I was getting very weary of the same test and medication side effects that I did not see results in my condition. I have had 3 hospitalizations from 2018 to 2020. I realize now that I am living on borrowed time as most people with this condition have a life expectancy of 5 years. My struggles result in breathing and sleep issues. I started spending more time with my alternative doctor. I am trying different treatments now to manage my life. Every day is a gift and I am grateful for every day. He recently referred me to a company that uses products that treats the scar tissue and will help my condition.
Rather than choosing the transplant solution, I have chosen to maintain the best health I can afford. I am so grateful for my family and friends for prayers and support. My doctor has put together a plan for the next 12 to 18 months that will make life more manageable, however it is very expensive and requires out of pocket expense mostly. I am now on disability income and have a very limited budget and lifestyle. After much research, my family and I believe this is the best course of action. It will require a budget of approximately $20,000. I am grateful every day for my enduring faith in God, my family and friends. I want to thank everyone who has prayed for me, many of whom do not personally know me. I am beyond grateful, I feel so blessed for the love and support I receive every day.
Thank you, for taking a look at my page.
Fundraising team (3)
James Esway
Organizer
Roseville, CA
Janet Esway
Team member
William Esway
Team member