*KidneyDiseaseIsCrazyExpensiv

Copied from Facebook post:

Since last posting there has been a roller coaster of activity. Polycythemia IS secondary and is being watched. Next specialist appointment is a sleep study. Sadly, we said goodbye to jason's brother, Eddie. Covid Pneumonia with a transplanted kidney was simply too much. He was loved by SO many people in his family, church, and community. There's an emptiness in the world that will never be filled left with his passing. 

On a brighter note, Jason walked the dreaded walk, arm in arm with our daughter Wendy to the altar, and handed his blessing along with her hand to the wonderful Mr. Elan Lee. 

Now for the "what's up now" part of this post.

 He's finally reached the point where we've decided that he simply CAN'T keep going at the rate he's going and he's going to have to step away from his job of 20+ years. Between the physical and mental toll it's taking, along with the amount of missed days, it's just no longer feasible. While we thankfully won't have to jump through all of the hoops most do to qualify for SSDI, we will still have to survive the wait between application and award. Even with the Compassionate Allowance (which he should qualify for because of the length of time he's been on full-time dialysis), we're still looking at up to 4 months with no income. It's already been a snowball rolling downhill issue for the past year. Once you begin to get behind on things, it's extremely difficult to get all the way caught up...especially when you're STILL having to lose time. We've examined expenses and cut everything out we could, even to the point of sacrificing my studio. Reality bites. It's teeth sunk a little deeper when my hand injury has prevented me from doing any substantial metal work therefore not making enough myself to even carry that-besides, it's not a necessity and there's no real damage done from losing my she-shack.

After pouring over everything else, there's what looms like a bottomless pit. To just catch up and barely squeak by while we wait on income to start coming in again, we're looking at a terrifying 3,500- 5000. I've tried to avoid resorting to begging, but here I am.

I'll be selling selling selling- everything I can think of that might possibly be sold, creating as much jewelry as I can without risking hand surgery, and pretty much begging for painting and other commissions. 

So be on the lookout for album posts on here for Depression Glass, vintage strange/odd items, and even vintage 60's and 70's photography accessories like lenses and filters (and even a Cold War Spy cam). Also fine porcelain items such as Canton Famille Rose, Fenton, and artist-signed pottery pieces.

Humor me...buy something ;-) 

If my stuff just makes you raise an eyebrow, just consider me panhandling and throw a little into the donation site fund if you can. You have no idea how appreciated it would be.

Spot Fund- http://spot.fund/Mk8bNj

PayPal- Bugsandbones @ Artlover .com

Cashapp-$artalchemist

Venmo- -@artalchemist 

Chime-$artalchemist

Beyond $$, please just keep sending positivity, prayer, vibes, or whatever you've got <3

Well, we're back at the starting line. His donor was in the home stretch of testings and hit a wall. Not sure what the details are, but some medical quirk knocked him out of the game. We know that nothing is a sure thing, but when he found out who it was and everything seemed compatible with health, blood type, and everything else, it was tough not to get a little excited.  The wait continues.

Almost to the end of the second full day of appointment after appointment in a week. He just went in for his last, just lab thankfully, then a hike back to the car.

It was stressed today, that even with a donor, it could still be a while. His blood type (B) happens to be the longest wait period. At least we found out that, when the time comes, there are programs to discount a nearby hotel that runs a shuttle for the transplant recipients for their daily appointments after the week post surgery stay. Even discounted, 3 weeks in a room plus food and junk? We'll tackle that when the time comes