Paying it Forward: Session 2

The second session of the 'Do Better. Be Better.' events were once again a HUGE success.  There were three fundraisers this session: week one returner's only gauntlet, a co-ed dodgeball tournament,  and a blacklight gauntlet at each location.  We were able to raise $5500!  Better yet, we helped FIVE families in need!!!! Thank you to all of you for making these events so incredibly successful.  They would not be possible without the generosity of all of you.

The stories below briefly highlight those who we all helped.  Gifting the money to these families was an experience I will never forget.  They all wanted to make sure that I extended their deepest appreciation, love, and gratefulness to all of you.  Yes, the monetary donation to them was incredibly helpful.   But, all of them were quick to say that the thoughtfulness and kindness behind it was even more powerful and truly overwhelming.  All of the families were inspired to pay it forward and are hopeful that they will someday help us in our efforts to help others.

Seth and Jessica Lorenz

I received the nomination to help Seth and Jessica on June 1.  Unfortunately, Jessica passed way the next day.  This family has been through SO much and I feel absolutely honored that we were all able to help them.  In Seth's own words, "The funds will help our family to pay for the medical bills and other bills that we occurred during the caring process of such a beautiful soul."

Below, is Jessica's story.  She also kept a detailed blog (www.turnonthelightdotcom.wordpress.com).  I encourage you to visit it.  From speaking to Seth and reading the nomination submitted, I think Seth and Jessica were two people that embodied what Do Better. Be Better. truly means.  

Jessica was diagnosed with mucinous carcinoma of the appendix in October 2014.  It is very rare; only 600 to 1000 Americans are diagnosed with it each year.  It is even more rare for a 31-year-old, as most who are diagnosed are in their 50's.  Jessica underwent chemotherapy treatments in Iowa City and evaluations in Omaha.  She had a 16-hour dubulking surgery on April 1, 2015 to remove all of the cancerous organs and tumors that had spread throughout her abdomen.  She also had HIPEC, from which recovery from both of these procedures was very long and difficult.  Jessica spent 5 days in ICU and another 5 days in another section of the hospital.  They were released from the hospital but were to remain in the Omaha area for another 2 ½ weeks in case of complications.  They eventually came home for a few days at the end of the month in April.  But shortly after that, complications began and Jessica’s began to have fluid filling her lung cavity and had developed an infection.  She was hospitalized for about a week locally before she was transported by ambulance back to Omaha to be under the care of Dr. Jason Foster.  In Omaha, Jessica continued to have more and more complications.  She had two chest tubes attempting to drain the fluid entering the lung cavities and a nephrostomy tube to help drain her kidney.  Jessica then entered renal failure from the cancer progression and was placed on a ventilator due to the trouble with her breathing.   

On June 2, 2015 Jessica Leslie Lorenz was released from her worldly body. She is survived by a loving husband Seth S. Lorenz and three children, Mackenzie 13, Carter 10 and Greyson 21 months.  

Scott and Alicia Hyde

Scott was diagnosed with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome at the age of 1.  When Scott was 10, he received his first kidney transplant with a donation from his mother.  In 2000, his kidney failed and he was placed on dialysis.  The kidney failure was discovered days after his brothers kidney transplant; he was diagnosed with the same disease at the same time as Scott.  While on dialysis, Scott endured many hospital admits, infections, and surgeries.  In March and September 2010, Scott suffered with endocarditis.  The episode in September led to open heart surgery and a mechanical heart valve.  Scott needed to go on disability a year later as working full time (40+hrs/wk) and dialysis, 3 days week 5 hours at a time, had taken its toll after 11yrs.  We continued with surgeries, infections, and admits.  In 2013, Scott received a kidney from his aunt, but it never worked.  The doctors to this day have never seen anything like it and have no explanation.  We continue with dialysis, surgeries, hospital admits and infections.  Scott also suffered a stroke, has partial blindness in his left eye, and suffers from migraines.  We are currently working on getting him placed on the transplant list again for a third kidney. In the words of Alicia, "We keep our heads up, stay positive, and move forward.  It is what it is and somebody has always got it worse."

Chelsy King and Family

Last April 15, 2014 at 19 weeks pregnant, we found out we were having a boy and that he has Spina bifida.  It was the worse day of our lives!  The next day we were introduced to Dr Mansagar, who told us about a procedure available at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.  At Vanderbilt, they perform inter uterine surgery to repair the opening in the spine.  We went to Nashville and Sutter and I had surgery.  He weighed 1lb. 15oz. during this first surgery.  Surgery went awesome and I managed to keep carrying him until 36 weeks.  When he was born, there was a little spinal fluid leaking so they operated again when he was 3 days old.  He only stayed in the NICU for a week and we were sent home and life was "normal" again!!   They continued to monitor fluid in his head and spinal cord but all was going well for a while.


On February 18, 2015, our 11-year-old woke us up saying there was a fire.  Our kids lost everything but luckily we were all safe.  Thanks to all the amazing people in our life, we were able to keep life semi-normal for our kids and made it through that fiasco!   During the midst of construction, Sutter had his 9-month MRI and they found fluid on his spinal cord.  On May 19, he had his third surgery and they put in a shunt.  He is doing well since then, but we go back to the surgeon in July to discuss another lower back surgery.

Franco Troiano

 This was submitted by Gio, Franco's brother, and is written from his perspective.

Franco is a 22 year old, soon to be 23 year old, kid. I say kid because that's how I've always seen my, birdmaning every workout, little brother.   He's always making me laugh and I find myself enjoying life more when he's around.  

This past February we received devastating news that he has cancer.  The full diagnosis is Stage 3/Pre-stage 4 Hodgkins lymphoma.  The lymph nodes in his stomach and neck are infected along with areas along his spleen and spine.  He's been fighting this monster hard and will be until late September/October.  I mean he's a boss. The dude won NLXF in his second session. Fighting, he does well. 

He has chemotherapy treatments every Friday (great way to start the weekend right?).  We've had a few scares here and there, but my brother is a champ when it comes to perseverance.  He must have gotten that from watching me all these years!  We started a GoFundMe account and the wonder family that is Next Level (holla!) have helped us out in so many ways.  All the money raised for my brother has been going to pay his medical expenses as they rapidly pile up.  

He had his midway PET scan, and results were promising. There was some shrinkage in his lymph nodes in his abdomen. Come this September/October, we'll have a re-evaluation and determine what to do next for his treatments, if any. Despite all this, Franco has remained very positive and is still making us laugh. 

We are greatly thankful and humbled by all the kind words and things everyone has done for us and we really can't say thank you enough.  There aren't words for the gratitude we have for you all. On a side note, I had to promise not to slander Franco while writing this, so if you see him, could you do me a solid and let him know big brother had nothing but good to say, that would be great!

 

The Bartlett Family

I did not want to bother that Bartlett Family during this difficult time.  If you would like to read about their story, you can visit Orchard Hill Church's website:

Bartlett Family Update