"I'm like a professional patient."
These were the words 32-year-old Elliot Lake resident Jordan Chasse expressed concerning his multiple hospital visits. Born and raised in Sudbury, Chasse and his mother moved to Elliot Lake in February 2012.
His hospital visits are due to the fact Chasse is in need of a new pancreas and a new kidney. Right now, he requires dialysis three days a week for four hours each sitting. This requires 48 hours a month in the dialysis ward.
"It's like my part-time job," he said jokingly. "It's like I'm a professional patient. I'm always here."
Presently, Chasse has multiple health concerns, including renal failure, brain damage, gastroparesis, confusion, neuropathy, brittle bones, diabetes, small vessels, blood pressure issues and also lactose intolerance. As of now, Chasse has a central line on the right side of his chest as well as a fistula on his left arm. The fistula is being used full time for his dialysis treatments.
To date, Chasse has had seven procedures done on his body with three of them being insertion and removal procedures.
While living on his own, his health deteriorated. After spending five months at St. Joseph's General Hospital, where he was set up with a care team to help stabilize his body, he moved in with his mother for help.
Chasse and his mother, Karen Krueger, strongly believes that his medical conditions began after eating an uncooked bison burger at a fair in Little Current when he was younger.
"Jordan spent 12 hours in a coma, pretty much," said Krueger. "He didn't move, didn't talk, didn't do anything. When he sort of came to, he was constantly thirsty. Nothing helped the thirst. I took him to the doctor and I told them to look at him carefully. After blood work results came back, his blood sugars were extremely high. I knew it. I just knew it."
It was diabetes.
Chasse is currently on the list at the London Health Science Center for his transplant. A trip to London, Ont. on Oct. 24 was scheduled to have the procedure explained to him. HOPE Air was scheduled to transport him there. But on that day, Elliot Lake was under extreme wind alert. Because of this, Chasse wasn't able to attend. The airplane couldn't land safely. He is now on the priority list to attend the appointment in the upcoming new year.
"This will hopefully answer the needed question," he explained.
The surgery will take place in London, but until a donor (or donors) is found, Chasse will remain in Elliot Lake.
"The pancreas cannot come from an alive person," he explained. "It needs to come from a cadaver. Once a donor, or maybe donors, is found, I have to be rushed there. I have six hours."
After his surgery, Chasse needs to remain in the London area and be monitored to make sure his body isn't in rejection. He cannot go alone and has asked a friend to keep him company.
"I'm a single grandmother to a 14 year-old granddaughter," said Krueger. "I can't leave her alone, even though she's got a head on her shoulders. Someone needs to be with Jordan and make sure he's ok."
This is where the fundraising comes in.
Chasse explained that his accommodations are all set in stone but his friend's are not. This is where funds from his fundraising event will come into play. Chasse has organized a winter craft show that will help with the costs of his friend's accommodations.
"Jordan has done this all on his own," his mother explained. "He's a smart person."
"I have over 20 vendors that have decided to help with the event," he said. "All proceeds will go towards my friend's stay."
The winter craft show will be happening at the Moose Family Center on Nov. 25 from 9 a.m until 3 p.m. There will also be food available for purchase from Blossoms, such as soups, sandwiches, wraps and desserts.
"Christine (from Special Occasions) is a family friend and she is preparing the food," he explained. "There will also be coffee available from Breen's coffee."
Once the transplant is complete and he has returned home, Chasse said if there are funds left over that were raised, he wishes to donate it back to the community.
"I want to buy items for the dialysis ward," he explained. "Like, get more newspapers and magazines or something."
His goals and ambitions post transplant?
"I want to buy a hall and help people fundraise for their events."