Landon Gardner's Heart Transplant
Donation protected
Thank you for reading this story about a great young man named Landon (aka Brock) Gardner. Landon is getting ready to celebrate his 22nd birthday on March 23rd, 2016. For his birthday, he is praying for a new heart.
Landon has, unfortunately, grown up with congenital heart problems. He has had multiple tests & surgeries over his lifetime. Recently, in January, Landon fell ill & was thought to have pneumonia. He was admitted to a Springfield, MO hospital (close to home) for treatment & more testing. Landon was then diagnosed with heart failure. He was transferred to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis on January 24th. It was there he really started his very long, frustrating, scary & necessary road to a healthier life.
The roller coaster ride was about to begin. Landon's heart rate was reluctant to come down to a normal rate. He also found out his blood type is "O", which means he can only accept a donor heart from the same blood type. He has some antibodies that can affect his possibilities. Fluid retention & nausea have also been consistent problems. The doctors have been trying to balance his medications to alleviate these problems, but it can be very hard sometimes. He finally had a few good days (if that is possible in this situation) & was able to get a little exercise & take a trip to the gift shop. One of his happiest moments (Feb. 4th) was when the dietition said he could have some 'Noodles & Co' food. On February 12th, he even woofed down a chocolate long john & a carton of milk. Unfortunately, the nausea & fluid retention returned quickly. On February 14th, he was finally able to get some much-needed rest.
By the 17th, Dr. Ito decided Landon needed an inter-aortic balloon pump installed. His organs were starting to show the negative affects of the lower oxygen levels. The procedure went very well & he showed signs of improvement quickly. This pump was only a temporary help though. A device called a LVAD was the next step, but it would be a few days before that could be done. Dysrythmia caused much concern, so the doctors decided to do some intervention by placing Landon on a heart & lung bypass machine until the LVAD could be placed. Thankfully, the bypass did him a great favor.
On February 22nd, the LVAD & a RVAD were placed, along with the pulmonary artery graft. After addressing some excessive bleeding & fluid in the lungs, the surgery was successful. Landon was taken back to surgery today to remove some of the drainage tubes & close his chest. He still has a long road ahead of him, but at least he is 1 step closer, every day, to getting a new heart.
Landon's parents have been by his side through this whole process. As anyone can imagine, they wouldn't have it any other way. Along with their dedication comes extra incurred expenses. The food, gas & lodging expenses are adding up now. There's no way to know how much additional funds will be needed in the long run. Landon, Richard, Dawne, Beth & Charles would really appreciate & benefit from any & all donations.
Their faith, compassion & love are simply amazing. Please help them keep their focus on Landon's progress & less on their financial needs.
Landon's goal is to be out of the hospital & home to celebrate his 22nd Birthday. God willing, he will be home with his new heart too!!
Keep Praying & Believing!!!!!
Landon has, unfortunately, grown up with congenital heart problems. He has had multiple tests & surgeries over his lifetime. Recently, in January, Landon fell ill & was thought to have pneumonia. He was admitted to a Springfield, MO hospital (close to home) for treatment & more testing. Landon was then diagnosed with heart failure. He was transferred to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis on January 24th. It was there he really started his very long, frustrating, scary & necessary road to a healthier life.
The roller coaster ride was about to begin. Landon's heart rate was reluctant to come down to a normal rate. He also found out his blood type is "O", which means he can only accept a donor heart from the same blood type. He has some antibodies that can affect his possibilities. Fluid retention & nausea have also been consistent problems. The doctors have been trying to balance his medications to alleviate these problems, but it can be very hard sometimes. He finally had a few good days (if that is possible in this situation) & was able to get a little exercise & take a trip to the gift shop. One of his happiest moments (Feb. 4th) was when the dietition said he could have some 'Noodles & Co' food. On February 12th, he even woofed down a chocolate long john & a carton of milk. Unfortunately, the nausea & fluid retention returned quickly. On February 14th, he was finally able to get some much-needed rest.
By the 17th, Dr. Ito decided Landon needed an inter-aortic balloon pump installed. His organs were starting to show the negative affects of the lower oxygen levels. The procedure went very well & he showed signs of improvement quickly. This pump was only a temporary help though. A device called a LVAD was the next step, but it would be a few days before that could be done. Dysrythmia caused much concern, so the doctors decided to do some intervention by placing Landon on a heart & lung bypass machine until the LVAD could be placed. Thankfully, the bypass did him a great favor.
On February 22nd, the LVAD & a RVAD were placed, along with the pulmonary artery graft. After addressing some excessive bleeding & fluid in the lungs, the surgery was successful. Landon was taken back to surgery today to remove some of the drainage tubes & close his chest. He still has a long road ahead of him, but at least he is 1 step closer, every day, to getting a new heart.
Landon's parents have been by his side through this whole process. As anyone can imagine, they wouldn't have it any other way. Along with their dedication comes extra incurred expenses. The food, gas & lodging expenses are adding up now. There's no way to know how much additional funds will be needed in the long run. Landon, Richard, Dawne, Beth & Charles would really appreciate & benefit from any & all donations.
Their faith, compassion & love are simply amazing. Please help them keep their focus on Landon's progress & less on their financial needs.
Landon's goal is to be out of the hospital & home to celebrate his 22nd Birthday. God willing, he will be home with his new heart too!!
Keep Praying & Believing!!!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathy Lampo Stewart
Organizer
Willard, MO
Landon Gardner
Beneficiary
