We just returned home from Iowa Methodist Hospital in our quest to list Krishna for her kidney transplant. We stayed in Des Moines, Iowa for two days and drove a combined 16 hours for the chance of dramatically shortening Krishna's wait time.
We live in southern Indiana and have access to one of the best transplant centers in the country. In fact, Krishna is listed here at Indiana University Hospital. It would be great to get the call here in Indiana, but we are not waiting for it. We learned through research that Iowa currently has one of the lowest wait times in the country.
It was only after we did some research that we learned that we could list with other transplant centers. We learned if we were willing to travel, Krishna could cut 2, 3, or four years off of her wait time in Indiana. Perhaps, you would travel if you had this information. I do believe our training long ago did address multiple listings, but no resources were given as to wait times to my knowledge. I went and found the information and I can show you how to find it as well.
The staff at Iowa Methodist was awesome. There is a reason why their program is growing. Their secret has gotten out! Actually, they were not trying to keep it a secret, they are in growth mode. Our experience in Iowa was great. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we also learned this will take some careful planning and it will cost some money. It will cost quite a bit of money.
We found ourselves calling charter plane companies during our 8 hour trip down to Iowa and then calling some more on our return trip home. We cannot be listed if we cannot get to Iowa within six hours after we get the call? We quickly confirmed what we expected, charter flights are expensive. We received three quotes. The first quote was $16,000, the second was $7.000, and the third quote was........ Wait for it, wait for it...... $2750. It pays to call around! We also learned that some insurance companies will help pay for the private flight. Oddly enough, the one they may pay for is the most expensive. We may pursue that option, but we feel great that we can raise enough to cover the lowest quote.
The flight is just one piece of the puzzle. Where do we live? We will have to stay in Des Moines for at least a month? We have made some calls and have found some good options. We estimate it will cost about $2500 to stay in a hotel for a month. We are looking into short term housing which we feel will be cheaper.
What about our children? We called our school system's administration office and explained the situation and we have permission to pull the children out of school at a moment's notice and they will be excused for up to the month that we will be away from home. The school will send the assignments electronically via email.
What about work? I am self-employed and we have some income from disability from Krishna and other sources? We are fundraising to offset the travel and living expenses. Our income is enough to pay our bills at home, but we, like many, need help to pull this off. We have experience in fundraising and it is well underway. In fact, we have started a company to help others in the same situation. It is too early to elaborate. We feel we will be able to help many others through our past and current experience.
I started thinking about how many people who have a fixed income due to their kidney failure and a good support system could do the same. I think there are many. I believe if they had the information and could raise some funds if needed, they too, would share our hope! IT IS POSSIBLE. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW, IT IS POSSIBLE!
Stay tuned, we will know if we are listed in about a week. I will post the results even if the news is not good. There is no guarantee. Until then, we wish you good health and hope you will choose to find your shortest path to good health.
Ron
We live in southern Indiana and have access to one of the best transplant centers in the country. In fact, Krishna is listed here at Indiana University Hospital. It would be great to get the call here in Indiana, but we are not waiting for it. We learned through research that Iowa currently has one of the lowest wait times in the country.
It was only after we did some research that we learned that we could list with other transplant centers. We learned if we were willing to travel, Krishna could cut 2, 3, or four years off of her wait time in Indiana. Perhaps, you would travel if you had this information. I do believe our training long ago did address multiple listings, but no resources were given as to wait times to my knowledge. I went and found the information and I can show you how to find it as well.
The staff at Iowa Methodist was awesome. There is a reason why their program is growing. Their secret has gotten out! Actually, they were not trying to keep it a secret, they are in growth mode. Our experience in Iowa was great. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we also learned this will take some careful planning and it will cost some money. It will cost quite a bit of money.
We found ourselves calling charter plane companies during our 8 hour trip down to Iowa and then calling some more on our return trip home. We cannot be listed if we cannot get to Iowa within six hours after we get the call? We quickly confirmed what we expected, charter flights are expensive. We received three quotes. The first quote was $16,000, the second was $7.000, and the third quote was........ Wait for it, wait for it...... $2750. It pays to call around! We also learned that some insurance companies will help pay for the private flight. Oddly enough, the one they may pay for is the most expensive. We may pursue that option, but we feel great that we can raise enough to cover the lowest quote.
The flight is just one piece of the puzzle. Where do we live? We will have to stay in Des Moines for at least a month? We have made some calls and have found some good options. We estimate it will cost about $2500 to stay in a hotel for a month. We are looking into short term housing which we feel will be cheaper.
What about our children? We called our school system's administration office and explained the situation and we have permission to pull the children out of school at a moment's notice and they will be excused for up to the month that we will be away from home. The school will send the assignments electronically via email.
What about work? I am self-employed and we have some income from disability from Krishna and other sources? We are fundraising to offset the travel and living expenses. Our income is enough to pay our bills at home, but we, like many, need help to pull this off. We have experience in fundraising and it is well underway. In fact, we have started a company to help others in the same situation. It is too early to elaborate. We feel we will be able to help many others through our past and current experience.
I started thinking about how many people who have a fixed income due to their kidney failure and a good support system could do the same. I think there are many. I believe if they had the information and could raise some funds if needed, they too, would share our hope! IT IS POSSIBLE. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW, IT IS POSSIBLE!
Stay tuned, we will know if we are listed in about a week. I will post the results even if the news is not good. There is no guarantee. Until then, we wish you good health and hope you will choose to find your shortest path to good health.
Ron