Healing and Strength for Chris

Healing and Strength  for Chris.

Chris has fought hard to manage his Crohn’s Disease over the past 20 years. With a near death experience nine years ago, at the same time their youngest son Logan was born, he found himself back in a similar situation this past January. Chris was admitted to Butterworth January 1st with active Crohn’s and a small restriction in his bowel due to scare tissue. It was decided,January 4 to transfer him to Blodgett where he would have surgery on that following Monday the 7th. Surgery went better than expected and the doctors and everyone were very hopeful. Two days later Chris’s pain become increasingly worse and as the day went on, he become very sick. They rushed him into surgery early that evening, and it was found that his colon had several spots were the tissue had died from blood loss and it had leaked all throughout his abdomen. Chris become septic and spent 3 days in the ICU. He was very sick, fortunately he did not know much of what was going on. Once transferred back to a normal room, things seemed to get worse before they got better. He was on oxygen and went through a lot of testing and a few different procedures due to a lot of different things going on. Mainly infection throughout his abdomen. He was finally able to go home January 31st where he would have in home nurses care for him.  He only made it until February 5 before he had to be admitted back and placed back on IV antibiotics due to high fever, loss of appetite, and weakness. Chris spent another week at Blodgett and was released on the strongest antibiotics. Towards the end of March, he followed up with his doctors and had a repeat CT scan where it was determined that he still had an abscess near his diaphragm. It could not ever be drained safely due to his stomach and spleen being too close, and their hopes were that the antibiotics would treat it. Because it had only grown a cm from the previous CT, they decided to keep him off the antibiotics and to try to let his body fight the infection. April 15 his surgeon admitted him again hoping to have him put back on IV antibiotics due to increased pain and trouble breathing. Infectious Disease determined the antibiotics would not help, so they sent him home and told him to follow up with his surgeon. At his follow up with his surgeon a few weeks later she decided something had to be done. He has not gained much weight and is still very weak. She asked to bring his case in front of the whole group of Colon Rectal doctors. It was decided that he needed to see a surgeon who specialized in that area. The abscess is now throughout the muscle of the diaphragm which makes it painful to take a deep breath and eat. Where the abscess is located, they needed to figure out a way to get to it safely. Another abdominal surgery right now would not be good for him, as he is still very weak, and his abdomen is still healing. Chris was referred to a Thoracic surgeon and he will be having another surgery May 21 to remove part of his diaphragm which will include the abscess. They will be placing dissolving mesh in its place. The doctor said it would be a very painful surgery because they will have to separate his ribs and go through his upper quadrant. He will be at the hospital for at least 4 days. Chris and his family are hoping this surgery will be the last for a while. He will have to have one more surgery in the future for sure, but not until he is healthy enough and has put some weight back on!  

So many people have reached out to the Bienick family wanting to know how to assist and help.  Chris and Carly have been overwhelmed with the love and support they have received with meals, kids, and of course all the prayers.  As Chris has not been able to work since the end of December, and with a high insurance deductible this GoFundMe page has been set up for anyone who feels led to further support them financially.  It has been difficult for Chris to unplug from his daily work and routine to allow his body to heal.  Chris has begun the process of disability; however, it is unclear how long this will take. The Bienick family continues to ask for prayers as Chris continues his journey to complete health.  They look forward to sharing praise reports along the way. Thank you for all your support.