Luke's Medical Fund
Donation protected
Luke developed a cough & fever towards the end of August. He was started on oral antibiotics but wasn't getting better. So he was admitted to Fairview Southdale in Edina to start antibiotics by IV - a stronger way to administer the medications. But his cough and fever continued to worsen. He had various tests done to try to figure out the bug causing his infection. Nothing was showing up. He was on 3 strong antibiotics. On Sun morning of Labor Day weekend, he continued to worsen and was having trouble breathing despite being on oxygen. He was running very high fevers - 104F at times. He was moved to the ICU. Unfortunately, his oxygenation status continued to worsen thru the day. It was decided that he needed assistance by machine to breathe. Around 4pmthat day, he was sedated, intubated, and put on a respirator. At the same time, he had some tissue/fluid samples taken from his lungs for further cultures through a bronchoscope. It would take a day at least to learn if Luke had a fungal infection instead of bacteria. The doctors had suspicions this might be the case but did not want to start the antifungal medication (Amphotericin B) until they were sure. It is a strong medication that could damage the kidneys. There needed to be patience as we waited for about 2 days until results came back. On Tuesday afternoon the cultures showed a fungus called Blastomycosis.
A word about this fungus infection. It lives in the environment in moist soil and decomposing matter such as wood and leaves. It is found mainly in the US and Canada surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. It has an incubation time of about 4-6 weeks. It happens that Luke and Parker had recently been floating down the Apple River about 1 month ago. As we learned more about this infection, we have heard that there have been other people infected with this fungus after being in that area. (Of course, this is speculation on our part but it is an interesting coincidence.) Most people breathe in the spores and don't get sick. Some develop flulike symptoms. And sometimes it can become very serious. Unfortunately this is the case for Luke.
Meanwhile, knowing what the fungus was allowed the doctors to start the medication. However, the waiting had taken a toll on poor Luke's lungs. A CT done that day showed that both of his lungs were now involved. The respirator was at the highest settings and yet his oxygenation was not staying in a good range. The ICU MD decided that Luke would need increased assistance to help his lungs. He needed to be moved to the University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview in Minneapolis and he needed to go soon. The doctor had been in communication with his colleagues at the University already discussing Luke's condition. They had a machine available that would buy some time for this lungs. It is abbreviated as ECMO which stands for "extra corporeal membrane oxygenation." It is essentially a by pass machine for the lungs. It is a temporary life support for patients who are in respiratory failure. It is not a treatment. It allows the organs to rest and the anti-fungal medication to treat the infection.
So much happened Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The U needed to find a bed in their ICU and transport arrangements were worked on. The staff at FSD worked so very hard putting in lines to have him ready for the machine. Luke's status was so very critical. He arrived to the U with Pat and Laura following, and his fiancé Parker not far behind. It was a very long and difficult night. They were told frankly that it was possible Luke might not make it through the night. But thanks to the dedication of several staff members in the ICU, the ECMO machine was started. Luke's status - though still so very critical - began to stabilize a bit. He is being carefully monitored. We are now in the difficult waiting period. Now we need patience and prayers. This waiting will continue over the next several days. We are hoping & praying to start to see improvements but we understand that Luke remains critical.
During all of these most challenging times, we are so appreciative of the love and support of all of our family and friends. We know Luke is in the heart and prayers of people literally all over the world. Please continue prayers and positive energy. They are so important. Luke needs your love.
A word about this fungus infection. It lives in the environment in moist soil and decomposing matter such as wood and leaves. It is found mainly in the US and Canada surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. It has an incubation time of about 4-6 weeks. It happens that Luke and Parker had recently been floating down the Apple River about 1 month ago. As we learned more about this infection, we have heard that there have been other people infected with this fungus after being in that area. (Of course, this is speculation on our part but it is an interesting coincidence.) Most people breathe in the spores and don't get sick. Some develop flulike symptoms. And sometimes it can become very serious. Unfortunately this is the case for Luke.
Meanwhile, knowing what the fungus was allowed the doctors to start the medication. However, the waiting had taken a toll on poor Luke's lungs. A CT done that day showed that both of his lungs were now involved. The respirator was at the highest settings and yet his oxygenation was not staying in a good range. The ICU MD decided that Luke would need increased assistance to help his lungs. He needed to be moved to the University of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview in Minneapolis and he needed to go soon. The doctor had been in communication with his colleagues at the University already discussing Luke's condition. They had a machine available that would buy some time for this lungs. It is abbreviated as ECMO which stands for "extra corporeal membrane oxygenation." It is essentially a by pass machine for the lungs. It is a temporary life support for patients who are in respiratory failure. It is not a treatment. It allows the organs to rest and the anti-fungal medication to treat the infection.
So much happened Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The U needed to find a bed in their ICU and transport arrangements were worked on. The staff at FSD worked so very hard putting in lines to have him ready for the machine. Luke's status was so very critical. He arrived to the U with Pat and Laura following, and his fiancé Parker not far behind. It was a very long and difficult night. They were told frankly that it was possible Luke might not make it through the night. But thanks to the dedication of several staff members in the ICU, the ECMO machine was started. Luke's status - though still so very critical - began to stabilize a bit. He is being carefully monitored. We are now in the difficult waiting period. Now we need patience and prayers. This waiting will continue over the next several days. We are hoping & praying to start to see improvements but we understand that Luke remains critical.
During all of these most challenging times, we are so appreciative of the love and support of all of our family and friends. We know Luke is in the heart and prayers of people literally all over the world. Please continue prayers and positive energy. They are so important. Luke needs your love.
Organizer and beneficiary
Misty Lee Downey
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
Patrick Moran
Beneficiary