I’ve never been under any illusion that the battle to save Karen’s life and to rebuild our stability from losing our home was ever going to be easy. I have worked diligently to care for her with all of the power I have. I educated myself on her multiple conditions. I’ve worked with her dieticians to ensure she has the best nutrition. I consult with her pharmacist multiple times a week. I am in daily contact with her care providers at dialysis. I journal my actions and her vitals signs multiple times daily. I remain a positive force of love and companionship for her to lean on everyday. This is literally a 24/7 operation. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I will go to every end of this Earth to save her life.
However, I am continually being struck by forces out of my control that keep us from reaching our goals. The forces I’m talking about are actually threatening her life itself.
We discovered last week that Karen has never truly been rid of the UTI she contracted over 2 months ago. One of her three nephrologists prescribed Cipro for 5 days hoping it would eliminate the infection,and ease the awful symptoms of intense chills she experiences while having to urinate. I knew after the third day of medication this wasn’t working at all. If anything,they are getting worse. Still,we dutifully show up three times a week at dialysis. Today,the doctor called while we were at the treatment facility, after telling me not to bring her to the emergency room because of the way Karen was regressing. She placed her on another course of a stronger antibiotic, which will give her stomach problems besides her existing gastrointestinal diseases. She also suggested Karen may have a kidney stone. I don’t believe this is possible as she has no pain associated with a kidney stone. She has chills and fatigue. No fever. Low blood pressure. Towards the end of today’s treatment,she needed oxygen to complete it. She has interstitial lung disease. The root cause is up for debate among the doctors. I believe it’s from the defective recalled sleep apnea machine that was expelling foam particles into her lungs. Remember,she’s never ever smoked,drank,or ingested an illegal drug in her life.
That being said,a full cat scan of her pelvis and abdomen will be done on Monday. Today,Friday,we will be at the third surgeon who will attempt to find a way to either get her fistula to work,or scrap it altogether and install a graft.
The bottom line is, Karen is suffering because of the non preferred administration of dialysis through the catheter in her chest. The statistics of dialysis patients who die due to continued treatment in the chest catheter is alarmingly high. This is terrifying me. The trauma to her body is intensified. Her immune system due to her anemia is not strong enough to handle this. So many residual complications that affect her quality of life occur everyday.
Everyone is telling me I have to take care of myself. As I am watching her struggle more and more,I am finding this next to impossible. I also am trying to engineer our efforts to get to a stable housing unit while caring for Karen. Delays after delays keep impeding this process. I am on the phone endlessly everyday only to be told I’ll be called back. These calls sometimes aren’t returned for 2 days or more.
We must remain here another 2-3 weeks,and resources are running thin, especially without a car. I wasn’t expecting these setbacks. This was supposed to be a time of light finally piercing the very dark cavern we’ve been stuck in. The light is now fading,and I have to grab it back before the exit closes for good. As soon as we enter the door of whatever our new home is,all fundraising efforts will be ceased. Please remember that Karen will not be placed on the liver transplant list if we aren’t in a stable housing situation because their “reasoning” of “we can’t waste an organ on someone who’s considered homeless”
I will update you all tomorrow while we’re at the surgeon. I implore you to please help us if you can due to the unexpected expenses of more hotel rent and transportation. Thank you so much OPL Family.
PayPal – bn11473@gmail.com or Brian Nearey
Cashapp $BFN73
VENMO KAREN-NEAREY-1
or the GOFUNDME on my pinned post on X.
Thank you all so very much.
Please pray for my wife.
Brian
Our Fight For Survival 
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