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Ernie Palmer got some great news last week when he was officially accepted for a lung-liver transplant by Toronto General Hospital.

Palmer was diagnosed with N.A.S.H – Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (a type of liver disease) and Pulmonary Fibrosis, requiring a double-transplant, as neither his liver or lungs could withstand the stress of a single transplant.

After waiting months going through the University Hospital transplant assessment in Edmonton, doctors referred Palmer to Toronto as the double-transplant procedure has not been performed there.

Palmer returned home last fall and waited for his files to be reviewed by the Toronto transplant team. He flew to Toronto in March for an assessment, and underwent a number of interviews to further determine his eligibility over the spring and summer.

Now that he has finally received the go-ahead, Palmer is scheduled to arrive in Toronto on Nov. 1, at which time he will officially go onto the transplant list.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO ERNIE’S GOFUNDME PAGE

“They don’t tell you what spot you’re in,” he says, “but it’s enough to be on the list.”

One of the hardest things for Palmer will be the cost of living in Toronto while he waits.

He’s been looking into one-bedroom apartments near the hospital, and monthly rents start at $1,750 for an unfurnished unit.

The operation, when it takes place, will be somewhere in the neighbourhood of 18 hours, and will likely require Palmer to be on anti-rejection drugs, which can also be quite expensive.

He’s been told he must stay near the hospital for a minimum of three months after the transplant.

Palmer’s niece, Theresa Schmutz, started an online GoFundMe account for Palmer back in the fall, with a goal of $20,000, that account has almost reached that much, it’s currently sitting at $19,275 (as of Friday afternoon, September 23).

As well, a trust account has been started at ATB Financial, in trust for Donna Palmer, Ernie’s wife, for those not comfortable in making on-line donations. Any ATB can accept the donations, for the account which is held at the Killam ATB.

Palmer says he’s overwhelmed with the generosity of family and friends. He’s apprehensive, not about the surgery, but about the total cost of everything that’s ahead.

In a recent update, Palmer says, “I am shocked at the costs that will be involved in getting the help that I need.

“Transplants seem to be one of those treatments that fall between the cracks in our health system and, unlike other diseases, transplants receive very little in the way of funding.

“With transplants, you are required to be within two to three hours from the hospital performing the surgery until the time of the surgery, and then an additional three months after the surgery.

“There is no funding or availability of housing provided for the patient and their 24 hr. caregiver (that is required by the transplant program).

“So, in order for my caregiver and myself to live in one of Canada’s most expensive cities to live in, it will require a substantial amount of funds. The only way these surgeries can take place is through the generosity of family, friends, communities, and compassionate strangers.

“We cannot even to begin to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone that are helping us. We are truly blessed to live in a country that still cares for one another.”