BOARDMAN Woman breathes easier, but bills grow

Boardman Christian Church will sell soft drinks, water and popcorn to Help Lori Breathe.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR HEALTH WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Lori Schilling is breathing freely for the first time in four years after receiving a single lung transplant May 9 at Cleveland Clinic.
Schilling, 46, was diagnosed in 1999 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis -- a progressive, ultimately fatal, disorder that causes severe respiratory compromise. Her condition was complicated by epilepsy.
She had been on the national list for a double lung transplant, but when one lung became available, doctors went ahead with the surgery.
Schilling, who was reared on Youngstown's South Side and graduated from Chaney High School, had been on supplemental oxygen for almost three years.
Doing well
Now, just shy of two weeks after her surgery, she is breathing on her own.
"Lori is doing beautifully," said her mother, Georgia Reinman of Youngstown. Reinman said it is possible that her daughter may be moved Thursday from the hospital to a nearby apartment. And, if all goes well, she come home in three or four weeks, her mother said.
"Lori's been walking a lot, her oxygen level on Saturday was 100 percent, and her blood pressure is better. She was always cold; now her hands are warm and her color is good. This is a wonderful transition," Reinman said.
What is not so wonderful are the bills that Lori and her husband, Gary, are facing.
She recently was approved for Medicaid, but even that costs $907 a month because of the good wages Gary earned as a welder at CSC Steel in Warren before he lost his job and eventually his health care benefits.
Gary expects to complete training in heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the New Castle School of Trades in a few weeks, and he is actively searching for work in his new field.
In the meantime, the apartment in Cleveland will cost $1,000 a month, and there are many bills yet to be paid and continuing expenses, Reinman said.
Gary's parents, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Schilling of Poland, and Reinman, of Boardman, have helped, but it is not enough.
Church fund-raiser
To help financially, Reinman's church, the Boardman Christian Church, 565 Boardman-Canfield Road (U.S. Route 224 across from Giant Eagle), is having a fund-raiser on its front lawn Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 5 p.m. during the Hot Rod Super Nationals at the Canfield Fairgrounds.
Church members will sell soft drinks, water and popcorn, with all proceeds going to the Help Lori Breathe fund at the church, said Bob Howard of Boardman Christian Church, who was instrumental in organizing the event.
How to help
People who want to donate to Help Lori Breathe may send checks or money orders to Boardman Christian Church in her name; or directly to Lori's fund at the National Transplant Assistance Fund, 3475 West Chester Pike, Suite 230, Newton Square, Pa. 19073.
Additionally, there have been many smaller fund-raisers in the community, and there are donation cans at several businesses.
alcorn@vindy.com