Help Stephen's Fight for Life and Recovery

On November 23, Paislee’s Dad, Stephen went to the ER for severe chest pain and shortness of breath. He had to have an emergency surgery for aortic dissection. After a 7 hour long surgery his body began to shut down. He was then placed on life support. They didn’t expect him to make it through the night but he did and was moved to Billings for further care. While there his vitals improved and he was even waking up able to nod yes or no to questions. He was denied a heart transplant but because his heart was the only thing not improving the transplant was reconsidered and he was moved to Arizona. He then began to have brain bleeding, which happens to about 40% of people that are on the devices that are keeping him alive, which require blood thinners to work properly and to stop the blood thinners, would make the machines not work And to continue them would make the brain bleed worse so their only options now, are to remove him from these machines and let him go. We are praying so hard for things to turn around. We are not ready to let him go. He’s fighting so hard.

Update: The brain bleeds appear to be slowing up and some machines have been removed from his left side. The ventilator is as low as it can go so we are headed back in the right direction. Please continue to lift him up in your prayers they are working!! We need him back home ❤️ this gofundme is to help with travel expenses, medical expenses, loss of wages, bills etc… he has a very long recovery ahead of him and the last thing he needs is financial stress. Anything is greatly appreciated and if you’re not able to donate just keep him in your prayers.

Update: The brain bleeds have stopped and the ECMO machine has been removed. He’s getting stronger and becoming more awake every day. They have taken him off sedation and performed a tracheostomy which will allow him to be more awake and finally be able to communicate. Due to him having 3 strokes throughout all this there are some tests that will need to be done once he’s more alert and able to talk.

Update: Stephen has been more awake every day. He’s still unable to communicate but does nod yes or no to questions. He knows where he is, he recognizes people, and has been showing emotion. He started PT and was out of bed for 5 hrs in a chair doing almost everything on his own ❤️

Update: Stephen is now off of the dialysis machine. Now he is just doing dialysis treatments. They are doing breathing pressure treatments for him to get his lungs to work better. Once he can fully breathe on his own he will be moved out of icu. He’s continuing PT getting stronger every day❤️

Update: Stephen is off the ventilator!! His body is now working all on its own. He started speech therapy a few days ago and was able to call and talk to us for the first time in over two months ❤️

Update: After almost 3 months Stephen has been released from the hospital and is now in Texas at a rehabilitation facility. He’s getting stronger every day and can’t wait to be back home ❤️

March 7 Stephen was released from the rehabilitation facility. He will continue outpatient PT 5 days a week in Texas. He plans on being back in Montana in May when his NW Island Noodles season kicks off ❤️