Travis Stark Medical Fund

This fundraiser is being established for our good friend Travis Stark.

"You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you"    Mother Teresa

     In February this year, Travis started to get sick.  Travis had multiple trips to the ER to find out he had multiple ulcers from his lower esophagus to his upper intestines.  He was diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).  This is a genetic disorder that effects the endocrine glands ( the parathyroid, pancreas and pituitary gland).  It causes them to release excessive amounts of hormones that can cause kidney stones and ulcers in the stomach/intestinal area.
The ulcer in his esophagus caused him to lose blood (which he needed a transfusion), trouble swallowing and nausea due to reflux from his stomach causing scarring in  his esophagus.

    On March 19, he had a scope done to check on the ulcers and have his esophagus dilated, which did  help with his swallowing and nausea.  Travis had to have a repeat scope on March 25,  which the dilated his esophagus again then he started to get sick a few days later.  On March29,  he ended up in the hospital due to perforated esophagus (hole in the esophagus), causing everything to go into his lungs.  Travis had to have emergency surgery to fix his esophagus and flush his lungs.  This led to him having multiple chest tube and feeding tube because he couldn't eat or drink.  Travis was in the ICU for over a week.

    He got to go home on April 6th with tube feedings but so glad to be home.  But, two days later Travis started to get sick .  Mandy had to call the ambulance to get him to the hospital.  Travis ended up having emergency surgery  due to perforating his esophagus again.  He was very sick when he went into the surgery and coded during the surgery, by the grace of GOD ,they got him back. The  doctor was unable to fix the tear.  The surgeon came out and told Mandy they didn't know if he was going to make it through the night.  They had Mandy bring in the girls to see him because he was so sick.(heart wrenching)  But, with major prayers being prayed and Travis resilience he pulled through.  The doctors realized his stomach wasn't emptying and refluxing up to his esophagus so they put a drain in his stomach and removed his gallbladder later that week when he was more stable.

     On April 16,  Travis was moved to UNMC where they took him in right away and put in an esophageal stent to close the tear.  He felt good for a few days but then developed an intestinal bleed .  He had to have multiple units of blood and have an emergency procedure to stop the bleeding.  He was on the ventilator for few days after the procedure due to an air leak in his lungs (which he got another chest tube).    He did get off of the ventilator but still in the ICU .  

    Travis has been in the hospital for almost 7 weeks.  He has to have another procedure today(May 3rd) to flush his lungs and get new tubes due to a lymphatic leak (Chyle leak) that can happen with multiple lung surgeries.  The physical, mental and financial toll on him  and his family ( as you can imagine) is overwhelming.

    As most of you know, Travis is the father of three beautiful girls, Hannah (20) , Hailey (16)and  Halle( 8).  Mandy (his wife) has been unable to work because Travis has been too sick and needs to be with him.  Mandy says her employer and co-workers have been very understanding and supportive through this difficult time and allowing her to be with him at the hospital.   Unfortunately, Mandy just started this job in December and has not acquired paid time off.  So, she has been having to take unpaid leave from work.

     So, with the continued procedures and hospital stay,  I am making this Go fund me page to help out the Stark family.  Mandy and Travis are some of my dearest friends.   I know if I ever need anything they are always there to help me.  And, Travis has such a big heart, always putting others before himself.   So, it's our turn to help Travis and his family.

    Mandy and Travis cannot thank everyone enough.  Mandy's parents have taken time off of work  to stay with the girls, this has been a tremendous help to them.  They are overwhelmed by everyone's thoughtfulness and kindness.  And, please keep Travis and his family in your prayers.  We truly believe in the power of prayer.  We know prayer and God's love have brought Travis this far through this very difficult time and will get Travis home to his family.

Any donation would be greatly appreciated!   And, lots of prayers appreciated too!   Thank you so much for your kindness!

  FAITH.... It doesn't make things easy, it makes them possible.
                                                                                                                      Luke 1:37