The set up for the Collision with Colitis began years ago as occasional minor flare ups, and other Crohn's like symptoms. But late January of 2021 it hit like a ton of bricks. With the on going and just ramping up Covid precautions, getting an appointment was next to impossible. After a couple of canceled procedure appointments, I was scheduled for February 2, 2022. About a week into the new year, I began feeling as though I had a clot in my left get. A scan didn't reveal anything, so was trying to get an appointment with my primary care doctor to follow up. In the early morning of the 25th, my right arm started getting numb, and then proceeded to do things one could only describe as acting possessed. Uncontrolled by me, grabbing my other arm/wrist, and going back behind my back. Needless to say I was having a stroke (TIA), though it took me a few minutes to figure that out. By the time the paramedics arrived, it had nearly cleared completely, and there were no remaining symptoms by the time we arrived at the hospital. Upon initial CT scans of the brain, the technician noticed something just off the edge of the image in the heart, and immediately had them wheel me back to go take an image of my heart. That revealed a 90% blockage of the ascending aorta. So they began immediately preparing to split me open, kill me, suck out the clot, and then resurrect me from the dead. A bit shocked and speechless. But what do you do?
The open heart surgery went well. Because I tested positive for COVID, despite not having symptoms since before January, I had the best and biggest room in the hospital, a great view, and my own personal team of nurses. The stay was a short 5 days. I came home and was doing well as i was healing up, and finally got the long over due and delayed again for the heart surgery colonoscopy and and Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis. Again took some time to get a course of treatment planned and in process, and in the mean time, despite being on anticoagulants, the leg clotting became apparent and worsening to me. Finally going to the ER, the vascular surgeon's initial reaction was to send me to the other ER across town to prepare for immediate bypass surgery in that leg. After examining and consultation with me, we decided to hold off on the surgery, as I still had enough circulation that there was no danger of losing the leg.
At that point the infusions for the Ulcerative Colitis didn't appear to be working, and I had become anemic. They were planning for a blood transfusion, but decided not to, as things stabilized just at an acceptable level. Enter September 27, 2022.
Was on the couch, having been up most of the night dealing with frequent and urgent need for the throne, the norm throughout most of the time since the onset of the UC flare up. Suddenly my right arm wasn't just numb, it was dead. I immediately knew what this was. And it quickly became paralysis of the entire right side. I had been sitting up, and just sort of helplessly slid off of the couch on to the floor. I was able to awkwardly sit myself up using the left arm and leg. It took all of my effort to get my brain to speak and yell out unintelligibly and attract Peggy's attention. By the time the paramedics arrived, I was just along for the ride.
My arrival at the hospital this time, I was there, but barely aware. I don't remember much of the next couple of days. If at all. They had me out most of the time, and sticking small wire springs up in my brain to clear clots and restore circulation to areas that were blocked. They got the majority of them fairly clear. My paralyzed right side miraculously seems to be 100%. But a lot of aphasia and connections destroyed in the data areas. And largest bummer for me, my new legally blind Marty Feldman left eye. Anyone who really knew me, knew protecting my 10/20 and 15/20 vision was always a priority for me. So I am grateful the eye lost was my left 15/20 eye. But the loss effects my ability to do a lot of things. Chief among those,... Drive. The suspension was immediate. By law. Hoping just to have the ability to go to the store, local shops. It's huge having to have other people chauffeur me around. That will either come or it won't.
But slowly learning how to deal with the spacial issues. I tend to knock things off counters, because I don't see them in my peripheral vision to the left up close. Slowly learning how to deal with the neurological issues. This all despite not seeing the appropriate therapy providers, speech/physical/occupational, because of the 4 more ER/hospital visits to deal with issues from the clotting and inflammation treatment. Finally at the place I can start rescheduling all of those I had to cancel. And I now have 5 stents from two surgeries in the left leg. The inflammation still remains an issue. And is only controlled by massive amounts of prednisone. Which we have wean me off of now. We'll see how that goes. Might be ticking the vascular of for ruining his work, again.
The Ulcerative Colitis, remains the issue, and is the cause of the inflammation, which is the cause of the clotting. We continue to try to solve these. But thus far no luck. Anticoagulants, antiplatelets and prednisone all in combination are basically keeping me alive.
We have been fortunate to have good insurance and blessed, for the most part, will great medical providers. For the most part the $340k plus last year was covered. But me being unable to work has been a big hit and continues to be so. Add to the equation that Peggy was let go at the end of February, as is currently on the job hunt. Hopefully my VA disability claims come through. Please pray for the VA claims people, and their decisions as well.
Enter in Pete, our neighbor for the last 22 years, and the opportunity to help him, and get us ahead.
Pete lives in one of the duplexes on our street. He shared the whole unit with his brother, Mark, each living in one half. Mark passed away early January of 2021. He was the one who paid the mortgage. And Pete has very limited income. So he's come to the point where he can now longer make the mortgage payment, and is in fact 3 months behind with a balloon payment coming due shortly. With a roof that's ready to be replaced, though still serviceable, needs for other updates, and Pete's lack of ability to do those things financially, he has never gotten a realtor willing to work with him. The only offer he had was for $300k (half or less of the current value) just after his brother died.
So Pete has offered us the duplex at that price. But with our current financial situation, we can't get financing at this time. So we were told to see if Pete would contract for the agreed upon price, and we move into the other half and make the payment, and then finance the remainder when we get our credit restored in a year, possibly two. Then pay Pete. Pete is good with staying that long, and would even give us the duplex if he passes before we are able to finance.
So what we are asking for help with, is first, your prayers for the continued direction on this path the Lord has started us on.
Then, financially, whatever you are able to do, helping us get in the door and settled in to that process moving forward. Legal fees. The balloon payment to get things caught up. A roof. Paint, flooring/carpet, etc. And packing/moving costs, as I can no longer do much of anything. That would get us securely in the door.
Immediately we would benefit from a lower payment than our current rent. And that is only going to go up, as we are well below market, and our new landlord will be raising it as he is able. It would also start building equity, along with the cut rate price.
In short, the opportunity is too good to pass up. And whatever comes of this fundraiser will just make it easier for us to get it to a stable starting state. Again, please pray as the Lord leads, and if He leads to provide beyond that in some way, we would be blessed. Please feel free to share as you are led as well.
Thanks for letting me tell you our story. I hope some part of it was a blessing to you.
