Nora B.S.

My friend Joseph Lovell (@KYMaverickreal) is days away from possible listing for a double lung transplant at Vanderbilt. Once listed, surgery can come within about two weeks. 🚨His previous caregiver arrangement had to end because it was unsafe. 🚨 Without a replacement caregiver, he may have to withdraw from the program. Vanderbilt will not list him without a committed caregiver plan. This is not a paid nursing job. Vanderbilt requires unpaid caregivers. Joe cannot pay anyone for care services. He will cover all transportation, room, board, and living expenses. He already has a condo secured close to Vanderbilt. What Vanderbilt requires (from their lung transplant education materials and program guidance): * Two designated caregivers: a primary and a backup. * After hospital discharge, the primary caregiver must stay with Joe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for three months. * Joe and the primary caregiver must live within about 10 minutes of Vanderbilt during that period. Caregivers cannot be paid for the caregiving itself. Programs do this so the support does not disappear when money runs out. (Please don't comment with suggestions for paid agencies - he cannot utilize them whatsoever). * The primary caregiver should be a non-smoker, able to drive, and physically able to help a recovering patient. This is not licensed medical care. The Vanderbilt team teaches caregivers what they need: getting Joe to frequent appointments, helping him eat, making sure meds are taken on schedule, watching for problems, helping with personal care as needed, logging vitals, and driving him home after procedures like bronchoscopy (he will be sedated). A backup person is required so the primary caregiver can have coverage. Joe needs someone there with him for those three months after surgery. Covering at least most days, 24/7, in Nashville is the immediate need. A nursing student, a single person who can be in Nashville, or someone who works remotely would be an especially good fit. Our local Middle Tennessee X community has rallied additional tangible support - people who cannot leave kids or jobs but still want to help will be organizing meals, laundry, cleaning, and support for the caregiver so this is as workable as possible. If you are local and want to help in this way, feel free to DM me. If you can be Joe's caregiver, or you know someone who can, please DM Joe today at @KYMaverickreal or message me and I will connect you. Time is extremely short. 🚨Please share this widely. 🚨 Listing, and therefore the transplant, depends on having this support in place. Pray. Share. Donate if you are able: givesendgo.com/help-kymaveri… Local influencers - please help spread the word! @johnrich @robbystarbuck @Shawn_Farash @HONashville @UWNashville @genuinehumandk @TTMProject @WPLN @PhilNvestigates