THe latest on Rich AKA Sleepwalk

[JennifersHope]

THis is a link taken from his caringbridge website.....RIch's wife Krystal, is keeping us updated..

What a rollercoaster ..Yesterday he was not even alert and now today.. I will keep you posted on the latest.....


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2007 11:12 AM, CST
Big news this morning! The surgeon came in this morning and told us they think they may have found a donor for Rich. They aren't sure when they'll know if it's a match or not... it could be just a "dry run". We are cautiously optimistic that this will come through and give Rich those nice pink lungs we've all been praying for.

They are running him through all the various tests & he can't eat or drink anything. They are preparing him for surgery under the assumption that everything will work out for now.

It's a little harder to get access to this computer (in the family lounge at the hospital) during the day, but I will try to update as I hear more news.

Please keep the prayers and messages coming. I am updating Rich on all the thoughtful words of encouragement he is receiving from everyone. We are both so lucky to have so much love in our lives!

Stay tuned!

 

[JennifersHope]

THis is a link taken from his caringbridge website.....RIch's wife Krystal, is keeping us updated..

What a rollercoaster ..Yesterday he was not even alert and now today.. I will keep you posted on the latest.....


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2007 11:12 AM, CST
Big news this morning! The surgeon came in this morning and told us they think they may have found a donor for Rich. They aren't sure when they'll know if it's a match or not... it could be just a "dry run". We are cautiously optimistic that this will come through and give Rich those nice pink lungs we've all been praying for.

They are running him through all the various tests & he can't eat or drink anything. They are preparing him for surgery under the assumption that everything will work out for now.

It's a little harder to get access to this computer (in the family lounge at the hospital) during the day, but I will try to update as I hear more news.

Please keep the prayers and messages coming. I am updating Rich on all the thoughtful words of encouragement he is receiving from everyone. We are both so lucky to have so much love in our lives!

Stay tuned!

 

[JennifersHope]

THis is a link taken from his caringbridge website.....RIch's wife Krystal, is keeping us updated..

What a rollercoaster ..Yesterday he was not even alert and now today.. I will keep you posted on the latest.....


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2007 11:12 AM, CST
Big news this morning! The surgeon came in this morning and told us they think they may have found a donor for Rich. They aren't sure when they'll know if it's a match or not... it could be just a "dry run". We are cautiously optimistic that this will come through and give Rich those nice pink lungs we've all been praying for.

They are running him through all the various tests & he can't eat or drink anything. They are preparing him for surgery under the assumption that everything will work out for now.

It's a little harder to get access to this computer (in the family lounge at the hospital) during the day, but I will try to update as I hear more news.

Please keep the prayers and messages coming. I am updating Rich on all the thoughtful words of encouragement he is receiving from everyone. We are both so lucky to have so much love in our lives!

Stay tuned!

 

[JennifersHope]

I attached Rich's story so you can know a little more about him.. The John that they are talking about, is my dear friend John that I have blogged a lot about.

Rich's story..



Welcome to our CaringBridge site. It has been created to keep friends and family updated about our loved one.

My Story is the introduction to our CaringBridge site.

Be sure to read the latest in the journal, view the photo gallery, and drop us a line in the guestbook.





About five years ago, the doctors told us that we should start considering a double lung transplant. At that time, no local hospitals would perform the transplant because of Rich's infection with a very virulent bacteria called Burkholderia Cepacia. This bacteria is somewhat common with cystic fibrosis patients, and is difficult to treat and impossible to kill. It significantly increases the risk involved with the transplant process. The doctors told us that if we wanted to pursue a transplant, we would need to move to North Carolina where they were taking Cepacia patients for transplant candidates.

After much deliberation, Rich and I decided that it just wasn't feasable for us to pick up and move to North Carolina and give up all that we've worked for.... not to mention leaving our friends and families behind. We had come to accept the sad fact that Rich would just make the best of the days he had left, come what may.

In a strange twist of fate, the hospital in North Carolina decided that it would no longer accept Cepacia patients for transplants, leaving virtually no options for those patients... unless they were to go outside the country to Canada where there were still some transplant centers that were willing to consider them.

The doctors at the U of M were left with no one to refer their Cepacia patients to when the need for transplant arose.

In the meantime, a wonderful man named John, who had been a long time CF patient at the U of M, had recently acquired Cepacia and was now in need of a life saving transplant. John was a strong and determined young man, and he pressed the doctors at the U of M to consider him for transplant, even though he had Cepacia and knew the risks of complications were many. The doctors decided to take a chance and pursue it, and transplanted John in July of 2006. Unfortunately, John passed away due to complications 10 days after his surgery.

The loss of our friend John was hard on everyone who loved him, but he continues to make a difference in our lives. John opened a door to an opportunity we thought we'd never have. The doctors at the U of M have agreed to attempt a handful of Cepacia patients for transplant, and Rich is one of the lucky few who have been chosen for this honor.

Obviously, a lung transplant is a risky procedure to begin with. The Cepacia creates many opportinities for additional complications, and gives Rich about a 50/50 chance at survival at one year post transplant. We have been told that the first 3 weeks after the surgery will be critical. If we make it past the first 3 weeks, the next 6 months or so will be very important as well... and we still won't be out of the woods for good. We have a long road ahead of us!

This site was established so that our loved ones can share in our journey. The ending to our story is yet unwritten, and the journey is just beginning. We hope you'll check-in often, sign our guestbook, and share in our adventure. Welcome to our site!

 

[JennifersHope]

I attached Rich's story so you can know a little more about him.. The John that they are talking about, is my dear friend John that I have blogged a lot about.

Rich's story..



Welcome to our CaringBridge site. It has been created to keep friends and family updated about our loved one.

My Story is the introduction to our CaringBridge site.

Be sure to read the latest in the journal, view the photo gallery, and drop us a line in the guestbook.





About five years ago, the doctors told us that we should start considering a double lung transplant. At that time, no local hospitals would perform the transplant because of Rich's infection with a very virulent bacteria called Burkholderia Cepacia. This bacteria is somewhat common with cystic fibrosis patients, and is difficult to treat and impossible to kill. It significantly increases the risk involved with the transplant process. The doctors told us that if we wanted to pursue a transplant, we would need to move to North Carolina where they were taking Cepacia patients for transplant candidates.

After much deliberation, Rich and I decided that it just wasn't feasable for us to pick up and move to North Carolina and give up all that we've worked for.... not to mention leaving our friends and families behind. We had come to accept the sad fact that Rich would just make the best of the days he had left, come what may.

In a strange twist of fate, the hospital in North Carolina decided that it would no longer accept Cepacia patients for transplants, leaving virtually no options for those patients... unless they were to go outside the country to Canada where there were still some transplant centers that were willing to consider them.

The doctors at the U of M were left with no one to refer their Cepacia patients to when the need for transplant arose.

In the meantime, a wonderful man named John, who had been a long time CF patient at the U of M, had recently acquired Cepacia and was now in need of a life saving transplant. John was a strong and determined young man, and he pressed the doctors at the U of M to consider him for transplant, even though he had Cepacia and knew the risks of complications were many. The doctors decided to take a chance and pursue it, and transplanted John in July of 2006. Unfortunately, John passed away due to complications 10 days after his surgery.

The loss of our friend John was hard on everyone who loved him, but he continues to make a difference in our lives. John opened a door to an opportunity we thought we'd never have. The doctors at the U of M have agreed to attempt a handful of Cepacia patients for transplant, and Rich is one of the lucky few who have been chosen for this honor.

Obviously, a lung transplant is a risky procedure to begin with. The Cepacia creates many opportinities for additional complications, and gives Rich about a 50/50 chance at survival at one year post transplant. We have been told that the first 3 weeks after the surgery will be critical. If we make it past the first 3 weeks, the next 6 months or so will be very important as well... and we still won't be out of the woods for good. We have a long road ahead of us!

This site was established so that our loved ones can share in our journey. The ending to our story is yet unwritten, and the journey is just beginning. We hope you'll check-in often, sign our guestbook, and share in our adventure. Welcome to our site!

 

[JennifersHope]

I attached Rich's story so you can know a little more about him.. The John that they are talking about, is my dear friend John that I have blogged a lot about.

Rich's story..



Welcome to our CaringBridge site. It has been created to keep friends and family updated about our loved one.

My Story is the introduction to our CaringBridge site.

Be sure to read the latest in the journal, view the photo gallery, and drop us a line in the guestbook.





About five years ago, the doctors told us that we should start considering a double lung transplant. At that time, no local hospitals would perform the transplant because of Rich's infection with a very virulent bacteria called Burkholderia Cepacia. This bacteria is somewhat common with cystic fibrosis patients, and is difficult to treat and impossible to kill. It significantly increases the risk involved with the transplant process. The doctors told us that if we wanted to pursue a transplant, we would need to move to North Carolina where they were taking Cepacia patients for transplant candidates.

After much deliberation, Rich and I decided that it just wasn't feasable for us to pick up and move to North Carolina and give up all that we've worked for.... not to mention leaving our friends and families behind. We had come to accept the sad fact that Rich would just make the best of the days he had left, come what may.

In a strange twist of fate, the hospital in North Carolina decided that it would no longer accept Cepacia patients for transplants, leaving virtually no options for those patients... unless they were to go outside the country to Canada where there were still some transplant centers that were willing to consider them.

The doctors at the U of M were left with no one to refer their Cepacia patients to when the need for transplant arose.

In the meantime, a wonderful man named John, who had been a long time CF patient at the U of M, had recently acquired Cepacia and was now in need of a life saving transplant. John was a strong and determined young man, and he pressed the doctors at the U of M to consider him for transplant, even though he had Cepacia and knew the risks of complications were many. The doctors decided to take a chance and pursue it, and transplanted John in July of 2006. Unfortunately, John passed away due to complications 10 days after his surgery.

The loss of our friend John was hard on everyone who loved him, but he continues to make a difference in our lives. John opened a door to an opportunity we thought we'd never have. The doctors at the U of M have agreed to attempt a handful of Cepacia patients for transplant, and Rich is one of the lucky few who have been chosen for this honor.

Obviously, a lung transplant is a risky procedure to begin with. The Cepacia creates many opportinities for additional complications, and gives Rich about a 50/50 chance at survival at one year post transplant. We have been told that the first 3 weeks after the surgery will be critical. If we make it past the first 3 weeks, the next 6 months or so will be very important as well... and we still won't be out of the woods for good. We have a long road ahead of us!

This site was established so that our loved ones can share in our journey. The ending to our story is yet unwritten, and the journey is just beginning. We hope you'll check-in often, sign our guestbook, and share in our adventure. Welcome to our site!

 

[EnergyGal]

I hope this is the real deal for your friend<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> He is in my Prayers

 

[EnergyGal]

I hope this is the real deal for your friend<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> He is in my Prayers

 

[EnergyGal]

I hope this is the real deal for your friend<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> He is in my Prayers

 

[Marjolein]

Thanks for updating Jenn!
It's brilliant to hear there might be a donor for Rich! Crossing everything this will be a go!

Love, Marjolein

 

[Marjolein]

Thanks for updating Jenn!
It's brilliant to hear there might be a donor for Rich! Crossing everything this will be a go!

Love, Marjolein

 

[Marjolein]

Thanks for updating Jenn!
It's brilliant to hear there might be a donor for Rich! Crossing everything this will be a go!

Love, Marjolein

 

[HairGirl]

Thank You for the update Jenn and please continue to do so I am keeping Rich in my prayers. And since I have Cepacia and talked about lung transplant I am very interested.

 

[HairGirl]

Thank You for the update Jenn and please continue to do so I am keeping Rich in my prayers. And since I have Cepacia and talked about lung transplant I am very interested.

 

[HairGirl]

Thank You for the update Jenn and please continue to do so I am keeping Rich in my prayers. And since I have Cepacia and talked about lung transplant I am very interested.

 

[MYBOY]

Thanks Jennifer! It's nice to know the whole story about a person since I havn't been on here all that long. Wishing him luck!!

 

[MYBOY]

Thanks Jennifer! It's nice to know the whole story about a person since I havn't been on here all that long. Wishing him luck!!

 

[MYBOY]

Thanks Jennifer! It's nice to know the whole story about a person since I havn't been on here all that long. Wishing him luck!!

 

[Diane]

I hope these donor lungs are a match for Rich. Keep us updated <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Diane]

I hope these donor lungs are a match for Rich. Keep us updated <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">