Radunz benefit Saturday, Feb. 13
By Michael Tidemann - Staff WriterArticle Photos
The last year or so haven't been very good for Jason and Jean Radunz of Maple Hill.
A year ago Oct. 30, Jason learned he had spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. That was quite a blow, considering he had worked at GKN for 16 years. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to get clearance from his doctor to return to work.
A bit of joy came into their lives when their son, Jacob, was born in October. He joined a sister, Jacqueline, 8.
Then, in December his wife and her best friend "tricked" Jason into going to the doctor who determined he had pulmonary Langerhan's cell histiocytosis, a lung disease, as well as cor pumonale, a heart condition caused by his heart overcompensating for his lungs.
Dr. Andrew Limper at Mayo Clinic told Jason the news in his follow-up visit a month later on Jan. 4.
"One more cigarette can kill you," Limper said.
Jason quit that day.
At 36, Jason has the lungs of an 80-year-old man, Jean said. She said three-quarters of his lungs are either dead or have holes in them and there are just two quarter-sized healthy lobes on his left lung.
"They have never found any medication that works," Jean said.
While a lung transplant is a possibility, Jean said they learned that 74 percent of lung transplant patients die within five years. They hope instead to avoid a transplant in order to buy time. "I feel that's our best option right now," Jean said. "There's just not a lot they can do."
Compounding the problem is that Jason and Jean learned just recently on their visit to Dr. Limper that their health insurance had run out.
While they're getting help from Mayo on Jason's medical costs, they face the cost of taking care of their family and paying for Jason's trips to Mayo. Jean can't work because of her new baby plus the fact that she needs to stay at Jason's side if he needs help.
A benefit poker run, supper, silent auction and karaoke will be held for Jason Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Armstrong Community Center. Registration for the snowmobile (or vehicle) poker run will be at 11 a.m. with a cost of $10 to ride which includes one poker hand. Additional poker hands are $5 and $100 will be paid to the best poker hand. Poker run stops include LaRow's in Swea City, Tami's on the Avenue in Fairmont, Bukes' in Ceylon, the Softtail Saloon in Superior, The Pub in Wallingford and Dale's Recreation in Armstrong.
A pulled pork supper with free-will donation will be held from 6-8 p.m. with sandwiches, salads, bars, coffee, juice and water.
Items will be displayed throughout the day for the silent auction with bidding ending at 8:15 p.m. when the winners will be announced.
Good Times Karaoke with DJ will follow from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
