Patrick was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy in 2002 after experiencing several different symptoms related to his kidneys. IgA nephropathy is a kidney disorder that occurs when IgA—a protein that helps the body fight infections—settles in the kidneys. After many years, the proteins damage the kidneys.
He became sicker and sicker until he needed to start on dialysis in 2006. In August 2006 Patrick received a kidney transplant, donated by his brother Brad. Up until now, Patrick has been managing with his transplanted kidney and anti-rejection medications.
On August 23, 2014 Patrick began to get sick. The symptoms looked similar to a flu; fever, lethargic, cough, no appetite. That Monday he went into the walk-in clinic and was prescribed a ZPak and told to follow up with his kidney doctor if there was no improvement. He only seemed to worsen over the next two days, the cough becoming worse, and he was sleeping the majority of the day. Wednesday morning (Aug. 27) Lindsay called his nephrologist and described his symptoms, and was told to take him to the ER right away. In the ER they decided to admit him to the hospital since he had some elevated labs related to his kidney.
While in the hospital, his cough began to worsen. They started him on oxygen, and had to increase the dosage constantly to keep his oxygen levels normal. They moved to using a BPAP machine, and even then couldn't keep his oxygen levels in check. They finally had to put him on a ventilator so he could get the oxygen he needed and also so they could get a scope in and get a sample of what was showing up on his chest CT scans.
It wasn't until a week after being admitted that we received a diagnosis of a severe fungal infection in Patrick's lungs, that had made its way through the rest of his body as well. The drug used to treat this severe of an infection is toxic, and will damage his only kidney, but without it he would not survive.
*update - he made it through the infection, a long recovery with rehab and having to learn to walk again, since he has spent so much time in the bed. He did lose his kidney function, and is currently on dialysis and waiting a kidney transplant.
A fund has been set up at
http://www.gofundme.com/dzvbi0 
