Save my Dad!

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My dad is 70 years old. A while ago he contracted tuberculosis. He was successfully treated and the specialist said it would take a year or two to fully recover at his age. Shortly after the tuberculosis treatment was finished he started to fall over as he was unstable and dizzy. The antibiotics he was given for the tuberculosis made him violently ill and he lost a lot of weight. He currently only weighs 50 kg's. He has been put back on the same medication for his current infection and can't keep any food or fluid down.

To start at the very beginning, he broke his hip 42 years ago in an industrial accident. It was a complicated break. Over the years he had five operations including three hip replacements which were not entirely successful. His long journey with crutches had begun.

He and my Mum have worked very hard to bring us children up and to give us the best possible life that they could. My Mum is also 70 and retired. She cares for my Dad and their three grandchildren full time. The grandchildren are in their care due to some unfortunate circumstances. Due to my Dad not being able to work they have had to cancel their medical insurance and their finances have gone into decline. The only income are two small pensions. They are not able to afford even the basic things such as food, electricity, water and their chronic medication. They have not had clothes and shoes in years so what they have is old and falling apart. They have no hot water as their hot water cylinder is broken. Their washing machine is broken. Their car does not start. My mum goes without food so that the children can have what little there is.

As a Sales Manager my Dad was able to see customers by walking with crutches and driving his customized car. He is no longer able to drive and is permanently in a wheelchair. Therefore will never be able to return to work.

Dad’s hip and leg deteriorated over the years and he became very unstable. As time went on he was told that no doctor would operate on his hip again as it was far too dangerous. At his last fall a few weeks ago the end of the prosthesis protruded through his knee, setting up a severe infection which caused massive swelling of the knee and thigh, leaving him in unbearable pain. We cannot move him easily out of bed as he feints with exertion and pain. He was seen again recently by doctors in a state hospital who want to amputate his leg and part of his pelvis. Our family would do anything to prevent this from happening to him. It would only be a 50/50 chance of him pulling through this.

The hospital has thousands of patients and the wheels move slowly, almost to a stop in these situations. The nursing care leave a lot to be desired too as the state hospitals are so over crowded that it is difficult to get the care you need. What he really needs is to go to a private hospital where he would be treated immediately. The infection needs to be cleared and the pain managed. This would save his leg and his life!

My mum and all of us children love him dearly and want the very best care he can possibly have as he always was and still is giving, loving and caring to everyone.

It is an impossibility to be able to do this on our own as we are using all our resources. Therefore we have had to reach out for help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

HE IS OUR HERO! We want him to live!

Here is a breakdown of what your generous donations will be used for:

Cover the cost of the ambulance which is $200 per times and he has had to make 4 trips.

Purchasing a new bed specific for his medical needs.

Purchasing equipment to assist him in the toilet and shower and other areas of the house.

A wheelchair ramp so he is able to get in and out of the house.

To cover basic living expenses such as food, water and electricity.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have. :)