Help With Mike's Lung Infection
Donation protected
**UPDATE**: I'm writing this on behalf of my dad.. Two Weeks ago, on May 9th, 2017 Mike was rushed back to Kaiser hospital in San Jose due to severe shortness of breathe. They continued to run tests and try and figure out what was causing the issue. A few days later we got word that Mike's condition was worsening. They told us they needed to transfer him to Stanford to be put on the list to get a lung transplant because his current lungs are shutting down. We knew that getting him to Stanford would be our best bet.
On May 11th, 2017 he was prepped and transferred to Stanford Medical Center. Over the course of the last 10 days, Mike has had his ups and downs. From being on a ventilator to having a trach put in his neck and being hooked up to an Ecmo machine just in order to breathe. Two days ago he was put on the list for a lung transplant. The doctors said because Mike is so ill he would be first or second on the list.
Miraculously, less than a day went by before the doctor called us and said "We found a set of new lungs that will work for Mike and we are going forth with the operation tomorrow morning" Yesterday around 6pm Mike went in for transplant operation and was under for 6+ hours.
The surgery was a success. Mike is now resting/recovering comfortably in the ICU with two new and healthy lungs and slowly beginning the road to recovery. This recovery process is going to be a long one as Mike will have to live next to the hospital for several months while receiving care and treatments.
Words can't describe how much all of your donations have helped our family. We are beyond blessed for each and everyone of you guys for your continued support! We will continue to give updates on Mike status going forward.
In March 2017, I began experiencing a shortness of breath, occasionally, whenever I exerted myself. I chalked it up to allergies, due to all the rain we recieved this winter. A few weeks went by and the shortness of breath became more pronounced, along with a tightness in my chest. I found myself unable to do normal chores, like mowing the lawn, without becoming severely winded. I went to the urgent care on April 15, where they immediately thought I was having cardiac issues, and I was ambulanced to the hospital in San Jose. All of the cardiac tests came back fine, so my heart is strong. However, a chest x-ray and CT scan revealed an extensive case of pneumonia/lung infection on both lungs. The doctor said the infection in my lungs looked like "cotton candy". I was quite surprised because I had no other symptoms (no fever, no cough, etc) other than shortness of breath.
I was sent home with 2 types of antibiotics, which I completed both courses over the next ten days. My condition worsened however, and the shortness of breath became so intense, I couldn't walk to the bathroom without gasping for air. I had several of these episodes, including when I was on a return trip to the urgent care. I was once again ambulanced to the hospital in San Jose where this time, I was admitted and stayed for 5 days. I was given IV antibiotics, including antifungal medication and breathing treatments every 4 hours. A battery of tests were performed (they took 24 vials of blood during my stay) and so far all have come back negative, with a few still outstanding. A bronchoscopy was performed, a procedure where they insert a camera in the lungs, take a look around and take fluid samples. During this procedure the doctor noticed some odd nodules/growths on some of the smaller bronchia, particularly on my right side. He decided to biopsy a sample of these nodules. The pathology reports are still pending.
To this point, the doctors do not know what is causing the infection. I came back home, but am on oxygen and doing home administered IV antibiotics, along with breathing treatments. I have had to take a disability leave from my job at Symantec. While I have not worsened since coming home, I have not improved much. The doctor says I could be fighting this anywhere from 3 months to a year and we are all hoping that the root will be discovered so it can be treated properly.
Your donations will help our family to pay the medical expenses/treatments/equipment, which are quite costly, even with insurance and are piling up, not to mention two 38 mile ambulance trips. They will also help with our daily household expenses, since disability pay is not full pay. Kari has been a saint, taking care of me since I am on bedrest and cannot move around easily. Please considered this a great big thank you in advanced. All persons donating will get extra prayers from our family. If we are ever in the position to return the favor, we will do so. God bless.
On May 11th, 2017 he was prepped and transferred to Stanford Medical Center. Over the course of the last 10 days, Mike has had his ups and downs. From being on a ventilator to having a trach put in his neck and being hooked up to an Ecmo machine just in order to breathe. Two days ago he was put on the list for a lung transplant. The doctors said because Mike is so ill he would be first or second on the list.
Miraculously, less than a day went by before the doctor called us and said "We found a set of new lungs that will work for Mike and we are going forth with the operation tomorrow morning" Yesterday around 6pm Mike went in for transplant operation and was under for 6+ hours.
The surgery was a success. Mike is now resting/recovering comfortably in the ICU with two new and healthy lungs and slowly beginning the road to recovery. This recovery process is going to be a long one as Mike will have to live next to the hospital for several months while receiving care and treatments.
Words can't describe how much all of your donations have helped our family. We are beyond blessed for each and everyone of you guys for your continued support! We will continue to give updates on Mike status going forward.
In March 2017, I began experiencing a shortness of breath, occasionally, whenever I exerted myself. I chalked it up to allergies, due to all the rain we recieved this winter. A few weeks went by and the shortness of breath became more pronounced, along with a tightness in my chest. I found myself unable to do normal chores, like mowing the lawn, without becoming severely winded. I went to the urgent care on April 15, where they immediately thought I was having cardiac issues, and I was ambulanced to the hospital in San Jose. All of the cardiac tests came back fine, so my heart is strong. However, a chest x-ray and CT scan revealed an extensive case of pneumonia/lung infection on both lungs. The doctor said the infection in my lungs looked like "cotton candy". I was quite surprised because I had no other symptoms (no fever, no cough, etc) other than shortness of breath.
I was sent home with 2 types of antibiotics, which I completed both courses over the next ten days. My condition worsened however, and the shortness of breath became so intense, I couldn't walk to the bathroom without gasping for air. I had several of these episodes, including when I was on a return trip to the urgent care. I was once again ambulanced to the hospital in San Jose where this time, I was admitted and stayed for 5 days. I was given IV antibiotics, including antifungal medication and breathing treatments every 4 hours. A battery of tests were performed (they took 24 vials of blood during my stay) and so far all have come back negative, with a few still outstanding. A bronchoscopy was performed, a procedure where they insert a camera in the lungs, take a look around and take fluid samples. During this procedure the doctor noticed some odd nodules/growths on some of the smaller bronchia, particularly on my right side. He decided to biopsy a sample of these nodules. The pathology reports are still pending.
To this point, the doctors do not know what is causing the infection. I came back home, but am on oxygen and doing home administered IV antibiotics, along with breathing treatments. I have had to take a disability leave from my job at Symantec. While I have not worsened since coming home, I have not improved much. The doctor says I could be fighting this anywhere from 3 months to a year and we are all hoping that the root will be discovered so it can be treated properly.
Your donations will help our family to pay the medical expenses/treatments/equipment, which are quite costly, even with insurance and are piling up, not to mention two 38 mile ambulance trips. They will also help with our daily household expenses, since disability pay is not full pay. Kari has been a saint, taking care of me since I am on bedrest and cannot move around easily. Please considered this a great big thank you in advanced. All persons donating will get extra prayers from our family. If we are ever in the position to return the favor, we will do so. God bless.
Organizer
Michael Pasternak
Organizer
Ben Lomond, CA