Chris Bedard Recovery Fund

Sept 9th Update!

Chris has been in and out of Johns Hopkins a couple times for more leg surgeries since his discharge in March 2012. His latest surgery (number 21) was July 3rd, 2012, when another skin graft had to be performed to the end of his stump, due to the pseudomonas infection he acquired while in the hospital. The medical team kept Chris overnight and did an MRI as well, to rule out Osteomylitis (bone infection). 

During the follow up visit, 2 weeks following the July 3rd graft, Chris' doctor informed us that the new graft was being compromised by the infection. At that time he decided that Chris would need an oral antibiotic, along with the continued topical antibiotic. In July they also found out that Chris has acquired a complication in his leg called heterotrophic ossification(HO), which is the process by which bone tissue forms outside of the skeleton. This sometimes occurs with young amputees and can be painful and interfere with getting a comfortable fit with a prosthetic. Chris' Plastic Surgeon is monitoring this condition and if it should worsen he may have to operate to remove it. 

We are hoping this latest graft and continued wound care will allow Chris to heal completely so he can move forward and get the prosthetic leg that he has been hoping and praying for since November 2011!

Chris is continuing to have physical therapy to help prevent a contracture from forming in his knee and to strengthen his lungs and heart. Chris is still on blood pressure medication for hypertension and a heart condition called ventricular dysfunction.

Chris continues to go for EKG’s and Echocardiograms every other month to monitor the condition and see if any progress has been made.

Chris' spirits are still very good despite these setbacks. He tries to always be positive and he is very excited to get on with learning about prosthetics and the kind he would like to get. He is especially interested in ones that will allow him to go swimming at our community pools and one to be able to get back into the sports he loved to play (Football and Basketball).

Thank you again to everyone involved with Chris' care and for your prayers and support. Your continued prayers, support and generosity are sincerely appreciated. 

Hoping our next update will be informing everyone that Chris has a new leg and can walk!
Love and hugs from Chris and the entire Bedard Family!

January 7, 2012 It has been a while since the last update on Chris and I thought I would bring everyone up to date: Chris' Spiritual condition – Good - Chris has been at Johns Hopkins for 9 ½ weeks. He has been in the hospital so long that as his parent I can tell it’s becoming monotonous for him. The holiday visits really helped cheer him up but I can tell he wants to get this over with, just get his prosthesis and get back to his normal routine with family and friends. Chris' Medical condition – - Left Foot - Surgical team has performed 12 debridement (includes amputation) over the course of many weeks. Last Friday they tested the wound by grafting donor skin onto it. When checked during Wednesday (1/5) procedure, over 50% of the donor skin did take to the wound. This made the surgical team comfortable enough to say that no further debridements are needed. They will now just change the vac (wound dressing) and monitor the wound for the next week or so. The surgical team thinks they will be able to begin auto-grafting (graft using one’s own skin) within the next 2 weeks. - Lungs / Kidney / Heart - Continue to make slow but good progress. Chris is anemic and he turns white as a ghost when he stands for more than 2-3min. The medical team feels this will also resolve itself as Chris continues to eat healthy and participate in PT. - Physical Therapy - Chris has been getting up every day, getting in his wheel chair and going to PT. Even on the days where he is uncomfortable or has limited energy, he has been forcing himself to get up. He is determined to get himself strong enough to get out of the hospital as soon as his left leg will allow. He is now able to stand on his right leg for ~7 min. at a time. He has been timing his wheel chair laps around the Adolescent floor and he has it down to ~4min. Thanks for all your support and continued prayers, The Bedard Family January 3, 2012... As you can well imagine, we have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. Among those things near the top is the gratitude and love we feel toward each of you who have supported us in so many ways for the past two months. When we first arrived at Johns Hopkins we found ourselves in a situation that no child or parent should ever have to face. Immediately what we saw and felt was the support of an entire community gathering within just a few hours notice to pray and show their love and support for Chris and our family. This same support has been constant and growing for these past 8 weeks. You all have been our source of strenght through the darkest hours and you have been there following and celebrating Chris' progress along the way. Every day we thank God for our many blessings, but we also pray that each and everyone of you feel the heart felt appreciation we have for all you have done for us. May you all have a safe and warmest of holidays seasons filled with love, family and friends! All our love... The Bedards   posted by Samantha 3 days ago Donate Now Update 12/3/11:

Benefit events for Chris are happening this week!

Sunday - December 4, 7-9pm (may be extended based on turn out)
Hair Cuttery in Urbana
$10 haircuts (shampoo, condition and cut only)
Raffles for prizes
Bake sale
All funds raised go to the family for medical expenses!

Wednesday - December 7, 7pm
"Chris" supporters meeting with Dan Sipes at St. Ignatius Chruch
Mr. Sipes will be coordinating future fundraising events and efforts through an official local chairty called PPF Inc. It is a non-profit which means that donations through this will be eligible for tax deductions. Please attend and give your input!

December 10, 6-11pm - Faulkner Christmastime Fundraiser
Featuring light fare and spirits at 9121 Brien Place, Frederick.
Guests are asked to bring a gift card or check donate to the family.
Gas cards, grocery cards, or prepaid Visa/Amex are suggested.
RSVP 757-572-4466.

Thank you to all and enjoy a great weekend!

Update 11/30/11:
Chris finally had his surgery to remove the lower part of his left leg. This was what we had hoped could be avoided but Chris is bravely hopeful that his "bionic" parts may give him an edge in sports! Look out guys! However he must endure at least 2 more surgeries to work on the stump so that it will fit a prosthesis well. Chris is in a lot of pain because the tissue they are manipulating is life and full of nerve ending. Still very uncomfortable and on serious medications he is unfortunately not yet in the clear.
We have had 2608 visitors and 92 donations to his site. I've already sent the family part of what has been raised since the medical expenses have already become due. Please consider a gift, any size, to support Chris!

There are several events going on in his name as well, remember these dates:
December 4, 7-9 pm - Cut-A-Thon at the Hair Cuttery in Urbana - raffles, bake sales, and all hair cut monies go to Chris' family.
December 10, 6-11pm - Faulkner Christmastime Fundraiser - featuring light fare and spirits at 9121 Brien Place, Frederick. Guests are asked to bring a gift card or check donate to the family. RSVP 757-572-4466.
Bracelets will be for sale in Chris honor sometime in December, will keep you posted!!!

Thank you all for your messages, contributions, prayers and concern!

Update 11/16/2011:
I arrived yesterday in Maryland to visit Christopher. He is experiencing many troubles related to excess fluids, respiration, blood pressure, and a low fever.  The medical team is treating him for these problems and he is on a new machine since his surgery yesterday for a new hemodialysis line. Chris is getting breathing treatments with bipap and cpap which are supporting his vital signs. The infection is being tackled by a combination of antibiotics broad enough to address whatever the unknown source may be. Please keep Chris in your thoughts tonight. It has been several difficult days for him!

Update 11/10/2011:
Chris Bedard remains in intensive care at Johns Hopkins.    It is truly a miracle that Christopher has survived yet he in not out of the woods yet. Due to the life-saving procedures and medications he has been treated with, his organ functioning and left leg are still seriously compromised. He has been taken off the ventilator and is now being treated for fluid in his lungs. He remains on dialysis and a PICC line(direct line from arm to his heart) for medications.  They continue to expect Chris to be hospitalized for months with a recovery that will be long and arduous.

How you can help:
This fund has been set-up to benefit the family so can keep their focus on supporting Chris' medical and emotional recovery rather than worry about the incredible expense that this will bring. Chris has been fortunate to be at one of the most prominent hospitals in the country and there is no doubt that this medical team and the prayers of the community have saved his life. However with expert care comes extensive expense. The anticipated financial obligation for the family will easily amount to tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars! The funds collected will go 100% toward paying the insurance deductibles and co-payments associated with his advanced care. Please consider a gift of any size to assist the family in their time of need!

If you prefer to send a donation by check, use the Urbana mailing address at the right please make payable to the Bedard Family (Christine and Gator).

Supporters can also help by continued Facebook messages, videos and photos that lighten his mood and keep him hopeful.  The family, too, enjoys knowing that there are hundreds of people routing for him! Chris has been strong and we wish for his spirits to remain high throughout his battle.

History and Acknowledgments:
I would like to thank the students at UHS and the Urbana community as well as his extended family for for their support on behalf of the family.  So far we have raised over $4500 in this fund!  Chris' spirit is lifted when he is read the Facebook messages and hears of the outpouring of well wishes for him.

Chris' mother let me know that she has been receiving offers of help from her friends in the community and we would like to thank those people for ushering in when her family is living far away in NH, MA and FL. From the church to the school to the neighbors, everyone has said their prayers for him and this has touched the family in a time of crisis.  Thank you for raising children that care, being good friends and neighbors, and for creating a web of support for the family in their time of need.

I would like to acknowledge the friends of the extended family who have contributed to the fund and sent their well wishes for Chris.  Many of you have met Chris or his parents and know how devastating this event will be for them.  Others have not personally met the family but still felt compelled to send your prayers and also donate.  Thank you!  The whole family appreciates your generosity and thoughtfulness.

Chris is fun-loving, comical, and easy going.  This is what we love about him and there is no doubt that this is why so many people who know him have come to love him too! They share their affections for him in messages that say "I miss your hugs" and "I don't think we've ever met before, but I hope you get better soon!"  There are even messages in "code" from his crew of buddies that we simply look at, bewildered, and then smile. It's like a mini Jersey Shore banter going on! Whether you are a tight friend or someone who has yet to be befriended by Chris - you have all banded together to share how much he matters to you.  These teens even organized a prayer vigil on 4 hours notice and it was attended by nearly 100 people! 

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In conclusion, we are unsure what the future holds for Chris and unsure what challenges lie ahead.  What we do know is that our extended family has grown by leaps and bounds since the news of Chris' illness was out.  Thank you all for supporting Chris, you will never realize how priceless your kindness has been.

Thank you for your continued prayers and for donating what you are able to afford!

Contact:
Samantha (Horsfield) Despathy (Chris' cousin) via email - manthafl@me.com.