Cronin`s Disease Takes Turn For Worse

South Jersey truck driver Jim Cronin has taken a turn for the worse. He has a rare disease and no medical insurance and is now battling a devastating new obstacle.

The family of four is back to three again after Jim has been rushed back to Cooper Hospital after they thought he was home for good.

"He's getting thinner and thinner and weaker. He doesn't even look like himself from just two weeks ago," said Diane Cronin, Jim's wife. Back on Dec. 18, Cronin said he was very close to dying. Just before Christmas, Jim was the miracle man. He had come home after five weeks in critical condition from a rare bacterial infection that damaged his heart and left lesions on his brain.

His family has no health insurance and NBC 10's stories generated more than $20,000 in donations. A fundraising bowl-a-thon on Dec. 21 helped to offset his staggering medical bills.

"The way they made it sound was, after he got the heart surgery it would be all downhill. And it's not. And here we go again, because it's pretty serious," Diane said.

Diane said the infection has now damaged an artery leading to Jim's liver and caused it to shut down. Doctors are trying to decide if surgery is too risky.

"I think he's gonna stay in there for another week. My hopes are that he comes home," said James Cronin, Jim's son.

Meanwhile, Jim's truck rig sits idle until he is able to work again.

"He's fixable. That's what I keep telling myself. He's fixable and it's just another hurdle that we're going to get through," Diane said.

A fundraising horseback ride is being held for the Cronin family. Cronin built the horse barn himself. The ride will be on Sunday, Jan. 11 starting at 10 a.m. at 61 Atkinson Rd. in Bridgeton, N.J. For more information call (856) 455-7361.

If you would like to make a contribution to the family, send a check to:

Friends of Jim Cronin Commerce Bank Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

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