3mo post transplant complete

Last week marked my 3mo follow appt @ NW Hospital! I passed with flying colors according to my hepatologist. My next appt. Isn't for another 6 mo...yeah! I still do weekly blood tests @ Edwards Hosp every Monday, which right now is the only way they monitor my livers success surprisingly enough. I also made it through my 1st full week of work...amen! I was pretty tired each day and very glad to see all the people I missed at LifeTime. Thanks to everyone and all the prayers that were said on my behalf.... I can thankfully say they are working, I'm living proof!

I probably won't be updating this blog too much because most of my free time will be spent enjoying every second of LIFE with my family...hope you all understand! I can easily be reached via my cell 312-933-6303 or email ricknaimee@comcast.net

God Bless all of you!
Healthfully yours,

Rick

I'm HOME!!!!!!

On Friday nov 26th I finally came home!!! I'm pretty tired all the time, something I'm not used to... But I'm getting stronger each day! I'll write more later this week but wanted to sincerely thank everyone for all their support! especially all those who put my wonderfully successful benefit together...u all know who you are...I love each and everyone of you deeply! Goodnight Rick james

Thank you. We love you all!

Big hugs out to everyone for their generosity and support. We were blown away by the amount of friends and family that truly care for Rick, I, Taylor & Allie. Special thanks to the key orgainzers (u know who you are) and all those that donated their time & products for the raffle & silent auction. You all mean the world to us. 

I also want to say what wonderful people David Healy and Nick Kokonas are. David won the 1 week vacation and Nick won the 2 Southwest Airline tickets.  Both David & Nick said they would rather Rob gets the prizes because he deserve them for saving Rick's life.  Unbelievable kindness in the world! When Rick told Rob and Laurie (Rob's mom) about the generosity of David & Nick, they were moved to tears (and so were we!!!)

Tuesday - November 16th

Happy to say that Rick and Rob are doing great!  They are both at the hotel close to Northwestern so they can be transported back and forth to the hospital for the 'many' post op doctor visits.  They are with family round the clock who help administer medicine, keep them company and help with the many doctor visits. 

Rick looked fantastic and feels good.  He was up, walking around and just content with alot of this journey behind him and that he can look forward to recovery!

He mentioned how amazing he heard the benefit was and how many people were there to support him and his family, however, I am not sure if he understands just 'how' many people were there; so, if you have pictures of the night, be sure the send them to Aimee, we will be sure to post them!

1 Day Post-op

We are nearing the 24 hour mark and unbelievable things are happening! Rob has been recovering nicely and has already been moved out of ICU to a standard floor. Rick is also doing great, he is joking with the nurses and has been sitting up for a few hours.  He cannot wait to hug everyone that has prayed for him & Rob. To Rob "I love you man, thank you for the gift of life you gave me today" What a hero Rob is, he is someone who doesn't hold back on sharing the gifts only he could give; he has allowed Rick to watch his beautiful daughters grow up!

Surgery Day

It is 6:00 and Dr. Abecasis just met with us. Rick is doing awesome. The new liver is functioning properly. The next 24 hrs are critical and Rick will be watched round the clock. Dr. Abecasis is confident that the new liver will provide Rick with a long active life as husband and father :) The micronodules in his lungs have not grown and Dr. Abecasis does not believe they are cancerous, prob scar tissue from childhood. Praise God Rick is now cancer-free!!!! Please continue to pray that Rob & Rick have a speedy recovery, and for Rick's body to accept the new liver. 

It is 4:00 and Rob is out of surgery and in ICU.  He looks really good despite being very tired and in pain.  We were told about 2 more hours for Rick.  The doctor's have connected the heptic artery and are now working on the bile ducts. 

It is 10:15 and Rick & Rob have been in surgery for almost 3 hours. The nurse just called us and the surgery is going smoothly.  A large portion of Rob's liver has been removed and they are begining the process of removing Rick's.  Soon, the transfer will be complete.  I will update again soon.

Can I bring the family a meal? Sign up at Carecalendar.org to help with meals....

Many of you have asked what you can do to help Rick and Aimee during this time - beside prayers - a care calendar has been set up for Rick and Aimee and the girls - the calendar will help us all coordinate dinners, if you wish to help in that way.  Alot of Aimee's time after the surgery will be spent going back and forth to the city to be with Rick, therefore making dinner preparation for the evenings difficult.  If you wish to bring over a small meal, nothing fancy, to their home, I know it would be so very much appreciated at this time.

The Care Calendar can be navigated by clicking the calendar on this blogsite on the far bottom right of this screen or go directly to carecalendar.org
the calendar number is 55322
the password is 5703

Thanks again for all your help and support.