Dickson is a hard working man. Always busy doing something and always ready to help others with what he has earned. Dickson is generous with time and money. He has always been an entreprenuerial type and has created and sold many businesses. He is much like the energizer bunny, travelling the world, tirelessly.
Well that is the Dickson that WAS. Today you will find a much less active Dickson, one who wishes he could travel, wishes he could help out, wishes he could give generously. The past 3 !/2 years on dialysis have been rough. Dickson continued to travel until a short time ago but on a very minimal schedule.
Now it is nearly impossible to travel and hard to put in even a few hours at work. Dickson tires easily, but has a hard time sleeping due to discomfort and the beeping of the dialysis machine throughout the night. He needs sleep but can't get good sleep. A tough cycle.
So the obvious result of lack of energy and the inability to work brings the inevitable financial shortfall. We have etched away at savings and retirement, etc. We have sold off assets to stay afloat and may even need to downsize from our beloved home which we love to share with others. Dickson has always loved working in the yard, growing things and enjoying the lovely out of doors. These days just thinking of home maintenance is overwhelming. Downsizing our home seems to be the next prudent step.
Now with the transplant on the horizon, I will again be in full timecaregiver, transporter mode and dickson will be in recovery mode for quite a while, meaning no source of income. Some of the finacial burdens we foresee:
Medical expenses, even after insurance we will see some interesting bills.
Gas for the frequent trips to the hospital in San Diego both before and after the tranplant will add up quickly.
Travel and 3+ weeks of living expenses for our wonderful friend Dave ( our super-hero kidney donor ), along with his wife and daughter.
General living expenses while unable to work.
Perscriptions.......Dickson will start out after surgery with 31 pills a day.......yikes!!