Ladies and gentleman, I am coming here to tell you how humbled and grateful I am to all of you who have helped with these auctions which will go towards getting me to and from the the kidney transplant in Washington.
When you all started these auctions I was a little embarresed and confused. I hadn't really planned on how I was going to pay for it, I just knew I was going to do it and get it done. Harry and I were going to work it out and make it happen. Every day seems to have brought another expense not thought of and it is to say the least MIND BLOWING! We even found out that because of my last doctors appointment I have to stay now till the 14th of September.....that's 18 days in Seattle. I guess what I am getting at, there IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY WE WOULD COULD DO THIS WITH OUT YOU!!!!
Miranda and I have credit cards but do not use them much as we know the inherit danger of running up bills you can not pay. Because of your generosity we decided to sit down a few days ago, make plans and start reserving the flights, car, lodging, etc. with them.....holy moly I had a cow!! A hotel room with a private bedroom room in Seattle was/is $180-$250 for even a half a$$ hotel unless you wanted a slum, even those were still over a $100 with tax. One by the University of Washington Transplant Hospital like we needed was even more outrageous
That is the only thing I wanted during my recovery, was a bedroom in a place of my own after released from the hospital for recovery where I could be by myself and not around people 24/7....seriously............that was my only big wish
Other than that I really didn't care. We researched, shopped, looked.....honestly we both stayed hours online at night trying to find the right place. I emailed over 14 different people and finally the right deal fell in our lap. We got a place 3 miles from the hospital for $115 per night plus tax(it was originally $175 but he cut us a deal). It's not even a hotel, it's a rental house and it's cheaper than any of the half descent hotels. It has a television, stove, refrigerator and washer with dryer so we can cook our own meals and wash our clothes.....you know, kinda be "normal" while there. I guess the biggest gift I have received from you all is the simple fact that my wife will be able to go through this with me. A week ago there were no plans for her to go because to be honest, we could not afford for her to and to be honest, that caused some problems as you could imagine. My thought were on doing the right thing and hers were on being with her husband. The hospital made it crystal clear that I had to have a caregiver while released in Seattle and we were planning to have Harrys family leave him every so often to check on me. I know I have told many of you this, but I want to tell you again....THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! To those that have offered your homes thank you, I hope you can understand how my only wish has been to have a little privacy after the transplant. I'm always an outgoing guy till i'm in a situation where i'm hurting or sick....and in this particular situation as I said, privacy, a room for myself was the only thing I REALLY wanted and wished for....other than that i'd roll however
LOL
Seriously, because of you all, Harry can simply worry about his upcoming kidney transplant surgery and not worry about anything else..... you all are truly like family....I simply don't know what to say except thank you. As I said, was really embarresed and actually a little nervous and confused when these auctions started. We have found the the car rental (Chevrolet Aveo...the CHEAPEST we could get) the airfare for Miranda & I (and MIL while I am in the hospital to stay with Miranda and then help her the first 2 days I am out) and the 18 days of lodging. So far for this journey our costs have been $3,714.
I am telling you this because I want you to know where your money is going. I am going to be out of work for 6-8 weeks and am busting my ass to save money to cover that and I will get it done. It is my intent to use these auctions only for our time in Seattle during the transplant surgery and aftercare and to work, work, work my butt off the rest of this month and thru August so I can save enough money to get us through the 6 weeks after I return home.
I am a very transparent person where it deserves to be and in this situation it deserves it. I just want to tell you where and how your pledges are being spent. I do not know if that is right or wrong thing to do, it's just how I want to roll with this. You people are the only reason Harry and myself are able to face this with so much less of a burden and I want to keep you informed and let you know how much it is appreciated and how it is going exactly where you wanted it to go. You all have been a part of my life for over 5 years now and we are going through this together! Thank you all so much! I don't know how I can ever repay it but will do everything I can to do so!
Thank all of you again, I love you guys....each and every one of you!
Michael P. Schlabach
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