Support for Chris Mays and his Medical Journey

At 23 years old, Chris was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes. Doctors believe that he was a juvenile diabetic from the time he was about 12 years old but, unfortunately, the signs were missed. Due to complications from this, he needed a kidney transplant in September 2014 at the age of 32. He had a very gracious friend donate a kidney to him. He knew that eventually he would likely need another kidney but was not prepared for what was in store just eight years later.

In September of 2022, Chris found out that his transplanted kidney was failing and he would need another transplant. He started dialysis at that time until he was able to receive a new kidney. Unfortunately, he has not been healthy enough to even be put on a transplant list.

In December of 2022, Chris was hospitalized due to complications with his dialysis catheter. At this time, it was identified that he was having heart failure.

Again, in August of 2023, Chris was hospitalized a second time due to complications with the dialysis catheter. At this point, it was determined that his heart was only functioning at 20%.

In November of 2023, in preparation for a defibrillator being implanted, Chris went in for a heart catheterization to test for blockages. At this time, they found two blockages in the LAD artery and placed stints in both of those. This helped get his heart functioning at between 55-60%.

Concurrently, it was determined that Chris had severe PAD, peripheral artery disease, and he was showing signs of necrosis on his right toes. He had two toes amputated followed by an additional surgery to amputate part of his foot. Unfortunately, there was still not enough circulation and, days before Christmas, he had to have his right leg amputated below the knee. He is still fighting not to lose any more of that leg as well as to keep his left leg. He is doing 3-hour sessions in a hyperbaric chamber daily in order to promote healing and reduce inflammation. We are praying that this is able to prevent him from having anymore amputations.

Chris has not been healthy enough to even begin a strong physical therapy routine. Due to orthostatic hypotension, he cannot even sit up because his blood pressure drops too low. In addition to this, he has had to have four blood transfusions.

Chris has had quite the fight since things started taking a major turn for the worst in November of 2023. His compounding issues: heart failure, kidney failure, leg amputation, necrosis, as well as his diabetes are making things difficult to treat. He will likely be transferred to a long-term care hospital that can handle all of the different life-threatening illnesses that he is battling. There is not a long-term care hospital local to Chris and his family that can handle all of his medical needs so he will need to be placed out of town and possibly out of state.

When Chris is finally healthy enough, there will need to be some necessary modifications to their house in order for him to come home.

Chris’s wife, Tonya and their two young daughters, Olivia – 10 and Charlie – 6, have been by his side through all of this. Tonya is only able to work on a very part-time basis in order to be with Chris through this ordeal and to try and keep things as normal as possible for their girls.

On top of the fight Chris is having right now for his life, he and Tonya are having to navigate the financial burden that this is causing. Chris has been informed that his pay will be reduced by 50% for the remainder of his disability term. The disability term will be coming to an end in just a few short months. Once this ends, they will also lose their health insurance.

We would love to ease their minds and this financial burden as much as possible right now. Their focus needs to be on getting Chris healthy. All donations will go directly to Chris and Tonya Mays and be used for current and future medical expenses, bills and travel associated with Chris’ stay in a long-term hospital as well as modifications to their home.

All donations are greatly appreciated! Please consider sharing to reach more people. In addition, Chris and his family also really need your prayers!