The transplant will be performed through Carlos’ medical team in New York, requiring the family — including the couple’s two children, Abby, 9, and Chase, 7 — to temporarily travel and relocate during the procedure and recovery. Expenses are expected to be significant, encompassing travel, temporary lodging near the transplant center, childcare, lost wages, and ongoing medical-related costs. Because Carlos is expected to be unable to work for several months following the surgery, the family faces a substantial loss of income on top of those out-of-pocket costs.
Once Cathy is medically cleared to travel following her own surgery, she and the children will return to Florida, where she will continue recovering while caring for her family and eventually returning to the classroom. Carlos, however, will need to remain in New York for an extended period before he is able to come home and resume work. For their children, the transplant represents more than a medical milestone — it is the chance to have their father present, healthy, and actively involved in their lives for years to come…