Help Kevin Recover from His Liver Transplant

SATURDAY APRIL 20th

If you know my brother, you know he is a charismatic, genuine friend who would give you the shirt off of his back. The type of person to help you move, help you install a deck, and show up for you as a shoulder to cry on when you really need a friend. However, you might not have seen that version of him recently. For almost a year now, Kevin has been living with the debilitating symptoms of advanced liver disease. From sleeping sometimes 15 hours a day, multiple hospitalizations, to being violently ill, this past year has been incredibly difficult for Kevin and his family. After months of advocating, Kevin was placed on the transplant list on Thursday, April 18th. In just two short days, Kevin received the call that he has a match for a liver. Thanks to this selfless act of organ donation, he has a chance to regain his health back. He is currently being rushed to Salt Lake City for a transplant. If all goes well, Kevin will begin his transplant surgery Sunday April 21st at 04:00AM.

During his recovery, Kev will need to stay in Salt Lake City for a minimum of 8 weeks. This means extended stay lodging, meals, medications, additional cares, as well as time off work/expenses for his wife Amy and son Eli to come see him during his recovery. Any small donation is INCREDIBLY helpful. I would love to see all of us show up for him like he has for us. I also know these are trying times financially, so if you’re unable to donate, we will gladly accept your prayers/well wishes/good vibes.

Medical updates will be posted here once available, so please please refrain from bombarding his immediate family with questions. I know you’re concerned/stressed, we are too, but please let’s lighten the load on Amy during this time!

Thanks for being excellent - Kevin’s little sister, Kelly B.

SUNDAY APRIL 21st

Kevin went in for surgery around 9:30AM and they finished up around 3:30PM. The surgeons said he had minimal liver function and that he likely would not have been able to continue living like that for much longer. He will be sedated in the ICU for about 48 hours while they make sure the transplanted liver is playing nice his body. He is stable, sleepy, but can open his eyes and give a smile to my mom at his bedside. So thankful he is out and on the mend!

MONDAY APRIL 22nd

Kevin is awake, talking, but really sore. He had many visitors from therapists and doctors today. He was able to get up and moving around. He is still in the ICU and will hopefully transition down to a standard medical floor within the next day. Given how fast this all happened, there is a lot of unplanned expenses being laid on him. The last thing I want him to worry about right now is expenses. We will keep supporting him and updating you! Thanks for your continued support of my favorite human.

WEDNESDAY April 24th

Kevin is doing well! They have removed most of the tubes and medical equipment. He is becoming more mobile every day and is able to walk, get up by himself, and is excited for the opportunity to feel better. He is progressing as scheduled, but of course still needs a lot of rest, still sounds pretty tired. He is really grateful for the opportunity to work it through this and so so appreciative of the support from all of you