Father and Son Need Heart Transplants
Fundraising campaign by
Carli Stiller
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US$0.00raised of $8,250.00 goal goal
GoGetFunding has been requested or required to stop this campaign.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013 - Clarence's 35th birthday - Conversations with Daddy Part 2 - Zak's One-to-One Time (Father and Son Time, One Heart Transplant patient to another): Zak was the lucky one to visit Clarence on this 35th birthday. He is 8 and his questions for Daddy were different than his little brother's Sutton. Zak has a lot going on. He is about to listed for a heart transplant surgery once he returns from his Make-A-Wish trip and his Daddy is very ill and having surgery tomorrow for his LVAD machine (sort of artificial heart) to bridge him to heart transplant. It is a difficult time for little Zak as he works through the many emotions, feelings, and thoughts going on. He didn't have a lot of questions for Daddy and that was fine. You can tell he's been a heart patient and his question reflected that: Zak: Daddy, are you going to have tubes? |
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - Conversations with Daddy Part 1 - Sutton's One-to-One Time: Sutton: Daddy, you know you are not going to die. |
Saturday, January 26 - Clarence will have his LVAD surgery on Monday. The surgeon said they will also have to clear all the clots from his ventricles and, because of this clotting, he'll to have a larger LVAD than what is typically used. |
Wednesday, January 23rd - Clarence had another catheterization today and we are waiting for the results. There has been talk of the LVAD surgery on Friday. We are praying and hoping he is well enough for that. Zak has his appointment with the Texas Children's Heart Transplant Team on February 7th. The initial workup and process will officially begin for the transplant. |
Tuesday, January 22nd - Sad news as the doctor's have determined that Clarence is too sick for a heart transplant. However, the doctor's have said something must be done so they will put in a LVAD, a sort of mechanical heart, and hope that it helps him get "well" enough to have a heart transplant. The LVAD is often used as a bridge to transplant. The care is very similar to a heart transplant. Clarence must have three caretakers, one primary, one assistant, and one in case the other two are unable to care for him after surgery. The first 30 days are critical to him and he will not be able to be left alone, not even for a few seconds. He is too sick even for the LVAD but they hope to do it within 4 days to 2 weeks. |
Sunday, January 20th - We were able to see Clarence at the hospital. The most important part was that his boys were able to see him. Here is a pic with Clarence and his sons:
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Saturday, January 19th - Zak's Make-A-Wish kickoff was a huge success and he and the family had so much fun. The wonderful people from Make-A-Wish, Janice and Mike, were there to award Zak his official Make-A-Wish badge. Clarence received a letter from his insurance (he's covered under the pre-existing insurance plan for folks with pre-existing conditions (PCIP Federal Insurance) and his maximum out-of-pocket was raised to $6,250 effective Jan. 1, 2013. This is more than twice what we originally thought. :( I've adjusted the amounts here because of the change. He remains in the ICU. He's lost 11 pounds since he's been there. :( |
New News - Friday, January 18 - The official plan has been confirmed and Clarence will be listed for a new heart. As the doctor put it, his heart is "shot." One test today measured output. Someone with a 2.2 output would often go into shock. Clarence's is at 1.2. His pulmonary results were awful, as well. Therefore, he will remain in ICU. He will miss his son's Make-A-Wish "kick-off" tomorrow. The Make-A-Wish people are amazing and we feel blessed they are helping Zak. The doctor's are now deciding whether Clarence will be put on the LVAD (see video below) as a bridge to transplant. Video: http://youtu.be/YBxDhUzSrsk Friday, January 18 - Much has happened today with Clarence at the hospital. They've done a barrage of tests including a heart catheterization through the neck, pulmonary tests, sonograms, stress tests (not the physical one), and more. Nausea and pneumonia continue to be a problem. This hospital (where the heart transplants are done) is much further from where the family lives. Parking is $24 for the day and gas is outrageous as we all know. Yesterday, we were able to snap a happy picture of Zak with his little cousin, Addy. He loves her and his little brother (age 1) very much. |
Thursday, January 17 - Clarence continues to undergo tests in the hospital. He is still battling pneumonia. Tests today showed that the blood clot that caused so much trouble in his leg last year was still in the leg. Blood clots have caused considerable damage to Clarence who has had a kidney infarction from one, blood clot in legs, a warning stroke, and blood clots in the atrium. He will have a heart catheterization tomorrow. |
Tuesday, January 15 - Clarence's was released on January 14th so that he could go to his appointment with the heart transplant doctor. He will be readmitted tomorrow to the hospital where the heart transplant team will run a new barrage of tests. He is still struggling with pneumonia and heart failure. His ICD/Pacemaker is pacing his left ventrical at 100%. That is a huge concern and they have discussed putting in a bi-ventricular ICD/Pacemaker. His liver is becoming a more serious problem and liver transplant has now been mentioned. He used these few hours at home tonight to be with his three sons. His five-year old son, Sutton, is asking lots of difficult questions trying to understand why Daddy is so sick. We've learned his insurance changed to 70%-30% which means his deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket will be met very quickly. |
Saturday, January 12 - Clarence remains in the IMCU. He is still retaining too much fluid due to the heart failure. He is struggling with atrial flutters and has considerable pain on the side from liver complications. They are discussing whether they need to implant a new ICD/Pacemaker, a bi-ventricular model. |
Wednesday, Jan. 9 - Clarence began experiencing swelling, nausea, and liver pain along with shortness of breath so he called his doctor. His doctor requested that he go to the emergency room where he was admitted to the hospital and is now in intensive medium care unit or IMCU. Clarence currently has pneumonia and excessive fluid around his lungs. We will update as more is learned. |
Organizer
- Carli Stiller
- Honolulu, US
Donors
- Guest
- Donated on Jan 26, 2013
- Carli Stiller
- Posted On Jan 12, 2013
Jules, thank you so much for your kindness. It will never be forgotten by our family and is very much appreciated!
- Jules
- Donated on Jan 12, 2013
Praying for your family!
No updates for this campaign just yet
Donors & Comments
- Guest
- Donated on Jan 26, 2013
- Carli Stiller
- Posted On Jan 12, 2013
Jules, thank you so much for your kindness. It will never be forgotten by our family and is very much appreciated!
- Jules
- Donated on Jan 12, 2013
Praying for your family!
- Carli Stiller
- Posted On Jan 10, 2013
RrrockL, Thank you so very much for your support! Words cannot truly express our appreciation. Donna, Thank you for your kindness. Our family is for very appreciative of your thoughtfulness.
- RrrockL
- Donated on Jan 10, 2013
Pay it forward... Only $1 will make such a difference.
- Donna Collom
- Donated on Jan 10, 2013
- Carli Stiller
- Posted On Jan 08, 2013
kisselreads: Thank you for your very kind donation. Your support and kindness is very much appreciated. Melissa: How nice of you to say. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity!
- Melissa Montez
- Donated on Jan 08, 2013
Clarence has a very special place in my heart and any little bit I can do to help him and his family is an honor.
- kisselreads
- Donated on Jan 08, 2013
Amitor Person who respects life Amitors change lives. Antonym %96%96 Predator Animal Giraffe Butterflies %96%96 Live, love, laugh, hope.
- Carli Stiller
- Posted On Jan 08, 2013
Thank you so very much! We appreciate your kind words and your support!! It means so much to the entire family!