Hub (Shad)’s new liver journey!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

We are reaching out to share the story of our best friend Shad (Hub) Norris. Known by many as a devoted husband, son, son-n-law, friend and one of the most kindhearted individuals you would ever meet. Shad has always been a hard-working man who worked for many years at CARQUEST Auto Parts and then Advance Auto Parts before his health declined in 2018. Shad has always put others first and stands firm in his faith and love of the Lord. He is a member of Lifepoint Church in Lexington, NC and loves the Jeep community.

In 2018 Shad was diagnosed with NASH (Non-Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver). Through many medical visits with his doctors, Shad entered the transplant recipient program through Chapel Hill, NC in 2019. Since that time, he has had to have multiple paracentesis, several hospital stays and weekly infusion treatments to help keep his liver functioning correctly. His highest Meld score was a 38. Shad’s transplant team that he met with often in Chapel Hill monitored his condition very closely and were waiting on the right conditions to be able to do transplant surgery.

On the evening of November 7th, Shad received the call that he and his wife and so many others had been praying for. They had a liver for him, and he needed to get to Chapel Hill as quickly as possible. Shad and Chelsea rushed around that evening to pack and get all their things together to head out not knowing what the next several days or weeks would look like. On the afternoon of November 8th, Shad’s transplant team performed this life saving and life changing surgery. Surgery lasted approximately 10 hours and in the morning hours of November 9th Shad had a new liver. His wife Chelsea was keeping everyone updated through Facebook so that all of their friends and family could follow along with his journey. Over the next several days Shad was doing remarkably with his new liver. However, he did have one set back and that was he had a spinal fracture and had to have surgery, within days of just having his transplant surgery. His spinal surgery went well, and the doctors are saying that he is doing excellent for everything that he has been through over the past 2 weeks. He still has a long road ahead of him to recovery.

Shad and Chelsea have had many prayer warriors behind them during this time. We want to take away some of the stress that they are feeling during this time. Chelsea has been by his side for the last 2 weeks staying at the SECU house on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill and is currently on FMLA until Shad recovers. We understand that times are tough for many, but any amount that you can spare, no matter how small would make a world of difference. The cost of his medical treatments, travel expenses and the costs that go along with a transplant are astronomical. Chelsea will be out of work for an extended period time to help with his recovery. Please join us in Shad’s journey as we all continue to pray and cheer him on during his recovery and after.

Please continue to pray for Shad, his wife, the hospital staff, transplant team, and the person who chose to donate life. Miracles do happen and we are thankful that Shad has his new lease on life. His story is not over