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Post by Village Idiot on Jun 19, 2015 15:07:29 GMT -5
I had a nice phone conversation with Don yesterday. The guy is so affable about the whole thing, it's amazing. Talk about the patience of Job, Don is an amazing man.
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Post by Don Clark on Jun 24, 2015 14:31:12 GMT -5
Heart Update - June 2015
On Friday June 12, I'm sitting here at my desk organizing this months bills and noodling on my guitar when the phone rings. I recognize the number right away as Saint Luke's Hospital. Didn't think anything in particular since I get calls from them frequently. My transplant coordinator nurse, the appointment desk, reminder messages and calls, lab results and the like. But then I answered this one -
Me: Hello?
SL: Hi.....this is Monica with the Saint Luke's Transplant Clinic. Is this Don?
Me: Yes it is.....what can I do you for? (My usual goofiness.)
SL: Don.....I'm happy to tell you that *This is YOUR CALL. The transplant team has accepted a heart for you.*
I paused for just a month.....I mean a minute.....which was in reality only a few seconds, and said "O.......K."
Monica asked me where I was, and I said "Cimarron, Ks......about 6 hours away." "Is there any way to get you here any sooner? I can't think of any (obviously somewhat dismayed)." I said "I do."
In roughly an hour or so, I was at Garden City airport and boarded an Eagle Med flight that had me in KCMO in 1 hr 20 minutes. Ten more minutes, at Saint Luke's. Got checked in, rolled to CVICU, changed into a gown, got prepped with IV, arterial line, chest shaved, a gazillion sticky, glue depositing monitor patches, then off to the OR.
In the OR, prep was finished, initial anesthesia was administered, and I said "Goodni.....". Awakening back in CVICU, I found out the the surgeon, Dr. Borkon (who started the transplant program at Saint Luke's) when he got his own eyes on the heart, saw some bruising etc. and decided it wasn't the right one. Happens in about 1 in 60. They had not opened me up, but that has happened before. And not all hearts donated are useable. So I was fine with it. Once they removed the breathing tube and I could quit gagging, I was even better. Things really improved when I got breakfast and at least a cup of decaf.
Was on an antibiotic this week, supplemental oxygen to alleviate the remnants of the respiratory infection I had last month, and was temporarily put on a "standby of sorts - Status 7" until I go back in on Monday 6/29. At that time, when my lungs and breathing check out OK, I will be relisted again as a 1B, only this time I will be at the top slot on the list for my blood type.
This was a good practice run. I know what to expect.....only the next time will be the real deal. I feel it will be fairly soon now.
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Post by Marshall on Jun 24, 2015 17:09:37 GMT -5
Whoa !
Exciting and scary. Praying for you, Don.
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Post by Don Clark on Jul 22, 2015 11:30:10 GMT -5
A bit of a lull in the excitement and activity, but in another week things should pick up considerably. I'll go back to KC a week from tomorrow, then on Friday 7/31, I'll start at 7:00 am with one more CT scan of my lungs and an exercising oximetry test to confirm oxygen levels have returned to normal after a month or so of breathing exercises, antibiotics, and supplemental oxygen. All the numbers should be good, then on Tuesday 8/4 when the team staff the cases, I should be reactivated on the list back to 1B, and at the very top of the list for my blood type. I am anticipating things to not take very long after that. I'm still holding up well, but more than *BLEEPING* ready to get it done and begin the healing and restoration process.
I'm still clinging to some hopes of at least making it to Winfield for a couple of days if it hasn't happened by then. But Swannanoa and I-Jam are sadly out. Next Saturday night, I will catch up briefly with lots of my Swannanoa friends like I did last year via a FaceTime phone call. I plan to get with Todd or whoever to call you all at Vinton at the afterparty on Saturday night. Somebody keep me updated on that possibility.
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Post by Don Clark on Aug 19, 2015 0:12:04 GMT -5
I didn't post any update since the June episode where I went to KC for the "practice run", mainly because there really hasn't been a lot to share. I had been put on "hold" or "standby" so to speak, to concentrate on improving lung function. I had begun showing some decline in oxygen levels that had not occurred prior to the June trip to Saint Luke's. Apparently, a combination of things contributed to this. I had endured two bouts with a respiratory infection that caused some residual impairment, coupled with some irritation in the airway caused by the breathing tube that had been employed during the preparations for the transplant that didn't happen. So I spent some time doing breathing exercises, a couple of rounds of antibiotics, Prednisone treatments, changes in inhalers, and some supplemental oxygen. Ultimately, we were wanting my lungs to be in the best shape possible to withstand 7+ hours on the respirator, and resume breathing on my own without any difficulty when it was time to pull the tube.
The good news now is that this has all worked. Spirometry tests on Monday in KC indicated a significant improvement (an overall 9% improvement). This was enough for the transplant team to give me the "all clear" to be reactivated on the transplant list as of this morning. I'm back at the same 1B level as before. Even better, I am currently the only 1B transplant candidate in my blood type in the Saint Luke's region.....the strongest position I've been at since being listed. This could happen any time now. Obviously, the "not sure exactly when" factor is still in play, but that's OK.
I'm still quite ready, the bag remains packed, and the phone charged and close.
Todd.....we need to stay in touch so we can get in the FaceTime call to the gang on Saturday night.
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Post by sekhmet on Aug 19, 2015 11:52:13 GMT -5
Don ... SOON, EH?
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Post by Village Idiot on Aug 19, 2015 21:03:21 GMT -5
All is looking much better.
Yes, of course we'll stay in touch for the facetime thing Saturday. The main thing will be what time to call, which I don't know yet. But we all want to speak with you!
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philen
Certified Regular
Posts: 482
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Post by philen on Aug 21, 2015 12:57:37 GMT -5
Don, I did not realize how long I have been in hiding..... Man I'm praying things come together for you soon. Sir, you are one tough fellow!
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Post by sekhmet on Sept 3, 2015 20:53:50 GMT -5
Thinking about you Don. "See" you next Saturday!
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Post by sekhmet on Sept 3, 2015 21:06:10 GMT -5
A few minutes ago Don posted on FB that they have a heart, it's good, he's ready and it's going in!!!
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Post by Village Idiot on Sept 3, 2015 21:10:36 GMT -5
YUP! My daughter Peyton, who stays in contact with him via facebook, just told me the same thing. HOORAY!!!!
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Post by Doug on Sept 3, 2015 21:22:33 GMT -5
+1
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Post by theevan on Sept 3, 2015 21:37:10 GMT -5
Whoah, right on!!!!
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Sept 3, 2015 22:05:32 GMT -5
Praying for a good outcome. When will we know?
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,921
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Post by Dub on Sept 3, 2015 22:43:22 GMT -5
Praying here too. I think these are long surgeries.
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Post by factorychef on Sept 4, 2015 0:30:26 GMT -5
Best of luck !!!
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Post by patrick on Sept 4, 2015 6:48:54 GMT -5
Good luck Don!
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Post by coachdoc on Sept 4, 2015 7:04:43 GMT -5
Don, praying for you man. This is it! It's gonna be good.
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Post by mnhermit on Sept 4, 2015 9:15:24 GMT -5
Hoping good things for ya Don!
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Post by jdd2 on Sept 4, 2015 9:21:47 GMT -5
Wow! Best of luck and then some!
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