Updated 08/09/21
Gonzo was admitted to the hospital on May 8th 2021 with abnormal Covid-19 symptoms, oxygen deficiency, and high blood pressure. His Covid diagnosis was confirmed an hour after admittance, along with high blood pressure levels that put him in the stroke risk category, and kidney function of 20%.
During his eight day stay at the hospital, Gonzo went through a lot physically and mentally. He was diagnosed with pneumonia, experienced metabolic encephalopathy, renal osteodystrophy, and sepsis, in addition to kidney failure (with acute kidney injury) and high blood pressure. He has since recovered from the pneumonia, and is now managing the high blood pressure with medication.
He was released from the hospital on May 17th with reliance still on oxygen support and a continued dialysis plan. After approximately 1 week, he was no longer in need of oxygen support. We recieved confirmation from his nephrologist on June 1st, that he is going to need a kidney transplant. His kidneys are now functioning at 7%-10%, and he will continue dialysis (three days a week) until receiving a transplant. On July 12th he is scheduled to have a surgical procedure which will enable him to be a peritoneal home dialysis patient.
Over the last month Gonzo has been healing and training for his peritoneal dialysis. He was supposed to become a home dialysis patient this week 08/09/21. Unfortunetly on Thursday of last week, he began to feel abnormal pain when having a flush done through his paritoneal catheter. He went in for testing today, with hopes that his catheter just needed an manual adjustment, or a light sedation surgical procedure. Unfortunelty we found out that his situation will need more attention. His catheter is wrapping around his bowels and he will need to go in for surgery within the next couple weeks. After this we will get him back on track for his home dialysis.
All precautions needed for this transition and health journey are being taken with great care. He will be meeting with a transplant coordinator in the next couple weeks to start his transplant testing and place him on the transplant list. Our hope is for a living donor, as the list for cadaver donation can take 3-5 years.
Gonzo is still recovering from lasting Covid symptoms, including memory loss/brain fog and lasting foot and joint pain. He has had to rely on wheelchair use, and is going to be working with a physical therapist.
We will continue to update everyone through this fund raiser on substantial news. Loving thoughts, prayer, and any size of donation is appreciated. Please see the link below for more helpful information on kidney transplants and being a kidney donor. We are so thankful that Gonzo is here with us.
utah.edu/transplant/living-donor/kidney/10-things-to-know-living-kidney-donation.php
Please consider donating to help this wonderful, hard-working, funny, and loved man cope with and one day conquer this medical condition. All funds will go to covering medical bills and other needs.
Donations can also be made through Venmo,
@Erin-Shafer-Sorensen
Thank you so much for your time & support!
