R.L Carpenter Medical Fund

In August 2019, Roland Lee Carpenter, known to friends as “RL”, was working in the yard of his and Chrisanna’s newly built dream home when he fell, landed on his hip and was transported to the hospital via ambulance where he ultimately had to undergo hip replacement surgery.  It was during this hospital stay their lives changed forever.  While in the hospital recovering from the surgery, RL’s doctor asked him “How long have you been in Stage 3 kidney failure?”  Needless to say, RL and Chrisanna were speechless as RL had no prior kidney issues.  By January 2020, RL was in end stage renal failure and began doing in home dialysis.  They met with the transplant center in hope of getting on the list for a kidney transplant. RL started the testing for the transplant and all seemed to be progressing well.  Then COVID arrived and life as everyone knew it changed. 

(From Chrisanna)  “In July 2020, RL was still working his 12-hour shifts as a police lieutenant with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel where he has worked since 1987.  RL began experiencing considerable pain in his right leg but he continued to power through like he always does.  He continued to have hospitalizations due to metabolic encephalopathy, infections and low blood pressure.  The hospitalizations were especially hard as visitation was extremely limited and at times, no family could be in the room with him.   RL was discharged from the hospital but returned a week later and underwent the amputation of the toes on his right foot due to lack of blood flow.  RL continued to struggle with low blood pressure when trying to stand or even sit up.  Since that time, RL has had a below the knee amputation of the right leg and left foot due to lack of blood flow to those areas.  Even after all of this, RL and I were hopeful for healing and being able to move forward with our lives. 

On October 1st, RL was told that he has calciphylaxis, a serious and painful syndrome of calcification of the small vessels.  This disorder is a rare and is most commonly seen in end stage renal failure patients.  The treatments for this condition are few and sadly there is no known cure, and the prognosis is poor. 

Prior to the subsequent amputations, we were praying so hard that RL would get stronger every day and come out of rehab after two weeks ready to keep working towards prosthetics and being able to go back to doing everything he loved.  He was even planning to return to work.  RL was discharged to the rehab facility on November 30th and he came home about a week and a half before Christmas.  It was truly a blessing to have him home for the holidays. 

On New Year’s Eve, RL was admitted to the hospital for eight days for an infection and complications from calciphylaxis.  He was admitted again for infection and fluid around his lungs on January 19th.   

On January 13th RL signed the paperwork for his retirement, effective February 1st.  RL is sad because he was so hopeful that he would be able to get back to work at some point.  He misses the comradery, especially with the guys on his shift.  He was not planning to retire for a few years, so having to leave before HE was ready was difficult. 

During the past 8 months, our entire world has been turned upside down.  The emotional toll is difficult to put into words.  Hopes and dreams that will have to stay just that ….  On February 4, we were advised it is time for RL to consider a transition to hospice care.  I am so grateful for all the emotional support from all our family and friends and don’t know how we would have managed without it.”  

Chrisanna and RL in addition to the emotional toll are incurring mounting medical bills from the hospitalizations, out of network providers, and medical transports, much of which is not covered by insurance.  Chrisanna is continuing to serve ATF where she has worked for 31 years.  Chrisanna has been a friend to all over the years I have known her and now she and RL need our help.   I would have started this campaign sooner but in true Chrisanna fashion she felt there “are others who need the help more than we do.”  I finally convinced her to let me share their story in order to alleviate some of the burden they are under.  Well wishes to Chris and RL would also be welcome!  Thanks to all for reading this and doing whatever you can to help Chris and RL!  (Teresa Hinson – organizer - ATF SA -retired)