At A Loss….

       Hi Family. I just once again need to inform everyone of the crooked path we’re on in the battle to save Karen’s life,and our  quest for stability. As much effort as I invest in both of these journeys,one would think that at least some progress has been made on either front. Sadly,the opposite is not only true,but so much more devastating than I’d ever imagined it could be.

       As I told most of you before the show last week,Karen was told by the Kidney Surgeon at Westchester Medical Center that she is too sick to get a kidney transplant. She must receive a liver first,and they cannot do the transplants simultaneously. This news devastated us. I was speechless. We were told in the year leading up to this that “most likely” Karen would be able to get a kidney transplant first,and hope that her liver disease wouldn’t progress into the later stages.

      I’ll say one thing. The level of respect and care the doctors and staff at the hospital was the pinnacle of what a medical center should be. It made me realize just how inferior the care she’s receiving up here in this county  in comparison. I didn’t have to bring a list of 50 questions with me. I didn’t have to talk fast about our concerns because they were in a rush. I didn’t have to ask for further information because the doctor had to go. I didn’t get the usual answer when I ask pertinent questions “Oh,we’ll see” or “I’ll get back to you on that” only for those answers to just lay in a void not provided to us days or weeks or months down the road. They treated us with urgency and most importantly,with honesty. So many medical professionals are afraid to commit to certain answers due to fear of being sued. A concrete,definitive answer regarding certain conditions is rare these days. It was refreshing to hear absolute truth with conviction for once.

     We return there on Tuesday,June 3. We will be hoping for Karen to be placed on the Liver Transplant list that day.In the meantime,life is squeezing its vice grips upon us no matter how hard we push back at them. Currently,I am trying to sell what’s left of our 23 year old Toyota. It starts,but it’ll cost too much to repair the front end,air conditioning,etc.to keep. At 275,000 miles,it’s seen its best days. We weren’t able to take it over 50 mph on the highway for the last two years. We only used it for local driving to the doctor, pharmacy, hospital,and supermarket. If I can find someone who will pay $500 for it,at least that’s another week of rent for the hotel.

       That brings us to that obstacle. There are no apartments available yet from the 12 waiting lists we’re on. Time is running out. Stress and anxiety increases in my chest, seemingly every minute. Worse,my brave and courageous wife is inching mentally towards wanting to give up. I absolutely can’t blame her. As positive as we know we have to be to get through this, sometimes the obstacles just pile up faster than garbage going into the dump,and the positivity quickly morphs into desperation.

        Paperwork is also slowing down the process to receive the last $5K we have remaining from the forced sale of our home. We are completely without money this second until Tuesday morning,when Karen gets her Social Security. I used the last two donations to pay the rent here,and we’re still behind $200. We are hoping it’ll be released soon,but it’s an unknown variable that causes intense stress and sleepless nights.

        There are a few people here who have gone above and beyond to help us survive. I’ll not only be indebted to them for the rest of our lives,but to any of you who have thought of us,prayed for us,or wished us well. I can’t give up,but I’m becoming overtired and beaten down. I’m terrified I’m losing Karen and after I make sure she’s asleep,I cry every night into my pillow. I feel so powerless at times.

      If you can’t donate to us,can you lend us any amount of money and we will pay you back by the end of June? I’m going to shut down the GoFundMe when we are able to leave this hotel. I also will help any of you if you happen to find yourself in a position like this. How embarrassing is it for me to write this plea again??! The sickest I’ve ever been in my life. However,you people are all I have and we need you. I don’t know how long Karen can survive,but I do know that I won’t be able to save her unless I can at least keep us from living in the street. Thank you,and see you tomorrow for our favorite show.

PayPal- Brian Nearey or bn11473@gmail.com

Venmo -Karen-Nearey-1

or the GoFundMe link is in the first tweet on my profile page,but being that we need some immediate help,the first two options are better.

Thank you for reading. I can’t wait to write about good news one day.

Brian.