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.

Rob Dominguez APPROVED as donor!

We just got word that Rick's cousin, Rob Dominguez, has passed all the medical tests to become a Rick's live liver donor - Amen!  Rob is an amazing person & hero. The transplant will take place on Nov. 10 at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago.

Information about Rick's Cancer

Rick James was diagnosed with hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma in July 2010. This is a rare liver cancer that develops in less than 200 people a year in the US with no known cause or guaranteed cure. Rick has 7 inoperable tumors in both lobes of his liver and the only way to remove the cancer is with a liver transplant. Rick will hopefully undergo a liver transplant in the next few months, once a suitable donor is found. The procedure is called a “live liver donation” because a family member or friend will be donating a large portion of their liver to be transplanted into Rick. Amazingly enough, a few weeks after the transplant, the partial liver of both the donor and new one inside Rick will grow back to full size.

Truly a miracle and a gift of life.

What an Inspirational Night for Rick

Hi All - wanted to share this with all who care 4 RJ:

Last night Rick, Aimee and I attended the Matthew West Concert in Naperville.  For those who do not know him, he is a grammy nominated Christian Rock singer - just awesome!  He is a high school friend of mine and we got to see him backstage before the concert.  We mentioned Rick's cancer to him so he can keep him in his prayers.  During the concert, he played his new song, 'Survivor' off his new record which is all songs inspired by real people dealing with life's struggles and triumphs - The song Survivor is particulary about those with cancer and who are fighting this battle - before the song, he announced that this song was dedicated to the man he met before the show who was battling liver cancer, he said he saw 'strength', 'determination' and 'courage' in his eyes - He said that last nights performance of this song was for RICK!  How absolutely awesome, wonderful and inspiring was that to know that prayers to God are being heard by song for Rick as well as our prayers!  Needless to say, the inspiration to fight this battle was heightened, tears were pouring out (mainly by Aimee and I) and the determination for Rick that he will be a survivor surrounded us! 

Just wanted to share this story - truly an amazing night for Rick!

The Rick James Benefit

An Evening gathering of friends & family in support of Rick will take place on Friday Nov.12, 2010
Tamarack Golf Club 24032 Royal Worlington Drive Naperville, Illinois
7:00 - 9:00 pm - Buffet Dinner
Silent Auction, Raffle
Cash Bar & DJ until Midnight
$30 per person (make checks payable to RICK JAMES) should be sent PRIOR to benefit: 
The Rick James Medical Fund C/O Laurie Vest
4325 Castle Rock Circle
Aurora, Illinois 60504

To contact someone about the benefit please call: 630-204-2428 (Laurie, Aimee's sister)

Tickets will also be available at the door for $30 per person (limited seats available)

The money raised at this benefit will go into a medical savings account to help offset insurance co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, loss of wages, and other medical out-of-pocket costs. A transplant is a life altering medical procedure. Rick will be on immune suppressants for the rest of his life and have ongoing medical expenses. Your participation in this benefit is such a blessing to Rick and Aimee. They are touched with all the love, compassion, and support of everyone.  No words can describe how thankful they are that each of you is in their lives.