Pain. It’s something we all may endure before our lives come to an end. To watch your child suffer through long term pain is something that should never happen. I have witnessed this pain for the last four years with my youngest son Brad. Not only physical but emotional. I have watched him suffer since the first part of August 2005. Four years of being hooked to a dialysis machine each and every night. Being poked and prodded at the hospital and undergoing a wide range of tests and exploratory surgeries. Emotions have been a roller coaster ride over these years. Not only for Brad but also for the whole family. Stress and financial worries seem to add quit a bit to the situation. Happy one day and ready to end things the next. No child should have to endure this. No parent should have to either. Count your blessings if you can look in the mirror knowing your child or children are healthy. It is a blessing. You never know until it happens to your family.
At 10:44 am, On Wednesday, July 22, I received a phone call from Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was the call for Brad to come get his new kidney. Going in shock is the only way to describe that moment. I drove like a mad man to get from work to the house so we could get to the hospital. I calmed down after Brad was in the car and we were on our way. Guess it was an adrenaline rush I had never experienced before. We arrived at 2:00 pm and he was in surgery by 5:00 pm. By 9:00 pm he was in ICU asking for a cell phone to call his best friend. The pain medicine wore off later and I had to watch again as he suffered though the next several days.
I’m like most people. You think when someone has a transplant that everything’s good to go. Not the case. Takes several days after surgery to get over the pain and get moving again. Swelling and weakness have been a big part of Brad’s recovery. He’s still in the hospital tonight and Mom is with him. Tonight is the July 30. We have both taken turns staying with him because getting sleep there is impossible. His older brother Brian even stayed with him last night to give Mom and Dad a break. It doesn’t end there. The next month will consist of three trips to the hospital each week. Two per week the second month and one per week the third month.
Financially this whole deal is a nightmare. Anti-rejection medicines along with gas and food expenses are overwhelming. In 2005 the VFW started a kidney fund for Brad at the Peoples Bank. Four years of dialysis has drained this fund. Three poker runs for him added quite a bit of money in the beginning. The VFW has held several fundraisers, the last one being a two day yard sale. I would like to thank Earnie and Nancy Stephens. Mary Etta Graves, and Dora Kerns for holding these events’ Also the VFW membership for allowing the yard sales and other fund raisers. All the members have helped through donations or volunteering their time to help with these events. I’m a Gulf War Veteran and was very active in veterans events until our situation became overwhelming. I will return to support our troops when things get better at home. There are actually too many people to thank in this county. Businesses, churches, my co-workers and everyday people have donated to this fund. Bonnie Fleming has been the best whenever I put updates in her paper. My best wishes to Jerry. Sometimes pride gets in the way of asking for help. Being a Gulf war veteran makes it very hard to ask for help. I know our country is in a recession but my family would appreciate anything that is donated to Brad’s kidney fund. Whether it be a dollar or 10 dollars it all adds up. Thanks to everyone that that has helped out in the past. Also thanks for the get well cards people have sent to Brad. It puts a smile on his face. Something we’ve waited four years to see. God bless you all!
Sincerely,
Greg & Marcy Barker
