Click here to see March 11th, 2003 article in Arizona Republic |
Dear Friends and Relatives My husband Daved Preston has been sick since August 23, 1998. He had not been feeling well for sometime, and had bronchitis many times during the preceding year and a half. On the morning of the 23rd, I brought Daved to Urgent Care. His legs were severely swollen, and he was having a hard time breathing. He was transported to the hospital and was suffering from Congestive Heart Failure. At that time, Daved was expected to die, but he didn't! We were told that he would be on oxygen for the rest of his life. Daved was eventually placed on Medicare. Due to the high cost, he had no medical insurance at the time he got sick. Daved was hospitalized twice since then and once even put on life support. Daved's biological father and his paternal aunts all died of emphysema or lung complications, and Daved's maternal uncles died with severe lung problems. Yes, Daved did smoke, but his Pulmonologist says that Daved current situation is genetically caused. In October 2002, Daved's Pulmonologist told us that we needed to do something to help save his life because there were not many years left. The doctor suggested an experimental surgery, known as "Lung Volume Reduction" Surgery where part of the lung is removed to allow the healthy parts to expand. This was not covered by Health Insurance and we were told we needed to raise more than $100,000 to pay for the operation. It turned out that Daved is too sick for the LVRS because he has "end stage" emphysema. Our doctor suggested that we look into him receiving a Lung Transplant for him. We started with an initial consultation at University of Arizona in Tucson. He was accepted to start all of the tests to determine whether or not he would be able to get a Lung Transplant. We then found out that this center was not a Medicare certified Lung Transplant facility. At this point, we had to look for a Medicare-sanctioned center in Arizona for Daved to go to. We found out that there is no such center available in our state. We even took the insurance company to court to get them to cover the transplant in Tucson. They are bound by Medicare laws and even though they wanted to help they couldn't. We had to look for another state in order to have the transplant done. We figured out that we would have to move in order to get Daved's operation. We looked into many facilities in other states. We didn't want to move. We don't own anything of value to sell and were very reluctant to uproot our teenagers (now 13 and 15). We eventually found the University of California at San Diego's transplant facility. "Our UCSD transplantation team pioneered thoracic transplantation for pulmonary vascular disease, and the UCSD Lung Transplantation Program is one of the most active programs in the United States. The close working relationship between physicians and surgeons facilitates optimal care for patients. The development of the UCSD Heart and Lung Transplantation Program began with the first heart transplant procedure in February 1990 and has become the best and the busiest lung transplant center in California. As of December 31, 1998 the UCSD program's experience included 112 heart and 155 lung transplant procedures with results that lead the field. To compare UCSD's survival data with other centers please visit the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) website. The UCSD Heart and Lung Transplantation program received HCFA Medicare certification for heart transplantation in March 1994 and Medicare certification for heart-lung and lung transplantation in February 1995. In June 1994, UCSD became a Medi-Cal approved center for adult heart, heart-lung, and lung transplantation. UCSD Medical Center has been accredited by JCAHO from 1998 through 2001." In March 2004, Daved had many diagnostic tests to determine his eligibility for a lung transplant. UCSD says that we may not have to relocate if we can arrange for an air ambulance service to bring us to San Diego within the 3-hour window of time we will have once called about his transplant. Daved's name can be put on the transplant list. He is now attending Pulmonary rehab to help get him ready for the transplant. UCSD estimates the cost of the first year of transplant will cost approximately $343,000. Yes, much of this is covered by Medicare, but a lot is not! Daved's current monthly pharmacy bill not covered by Medicare is approximately $700+. His medical bills are expected to rise greatly and these are the ones not covered by Medicare. I am asking for donations of $1-$2. If you can't donate, please feel free to send along you prayers and good wishes. Daved and I will celebrate our 15th wedding Anniversary on November 24. I would like to, no, I need to keep him around for a long time to come. Thank you, ShariAnne We have set up a non-profit account at Bank of America-AZ Friends of Daved Lane Preston to receive donations to help us cover his expenses. Donations can be sent to: Friends
of Daved Lane Preston,
Checks may be made out to Friends of Daved Lane Preston.c/o ShariAnne Fischer P.O. Box #22135 Mesa, AZ 85227-2135 Click Here To Donate Instantly Through Paypal 
Thank you for all your good thoughts, ShariAnne 
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| Bank Deposit Donations Can Be Made Directly To: |
| Bank of America-AZ Friends of Daved Lane Preston Account #004675820462 |