Mike Weldon Life Saving Liver Transplant Surgery

19 days ago, my husband Mike Weldon was airlifted by helicopter from our local hospital in Wilmington, NC to Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC (3 hours from our home).  Mike had sudden and unexplained acute liver failure and his blood was not clotting.  Mike was in critical condition and unconscious.  Mike had no prior liver issues and he had only been sick for a few days brushing ...it off for something else, not know that he was in liver failure. By the time Mike arrived at Duke, his liver bilirubin levels were over 40 (a normal adult is 1.2) and every part of his body was yellow and because his blood would not clot, covered in bruises from head to toe.  Not sure how long he would live and fighting for his life, Mike was immediately considered to be a liver transplant candidate.  
Thus started the endless test, labs, medicines and more specialists then we could keep track of: transplant team, hepatologist liver team, nephology kidney team, hematology blood team, pain management, psychiatrists, social workers, infectious disease doctors, surgeons, ICU doctors and amazing nurses and NA's.  
After 9 days in ICU, Mike was placed on the liver donation list.  He was put on the top of the list, and to quote one of his doctors "he has the sickest liver in NC".  Saturday, March 23, 2019, a match was found and Mike underwent liver transplant surgery 7+ hours and his life was saved.  His surgeons were amazing!!  5 more days in ICU, then he was move to a step down transplant floor in the hospital.  Mike's new liver has taken and is a success so far, working amazing great.  Mike now is beginning his new chance at life and to live it to the fullest.  Thank you to all our family and friends for you love, prayers and support.

Mike has kept his sense of humor through all of this, telling jokes to the doctors and nurses... that's our guy.  Also, anyone that knows Mike, you know how much he loves his dogs, Gabby and Bear and shows their picture to anyone in the hospital who will look.  He is an amazing man to keep such spirits and such a fighter.

Since we are 3 hours away from home, our out of pocket expenses and building as quickly as our medical bills.  Lodging, gas, food, clothes and our pet sitters at home.  Once Mike is release from the hospital, hopefully within a week, we have to live up here near the hospital for 4-6 weeks.  I rented an apartment for this time.  We are fortunate that my mother is staying at our house in Wilmington and our dog sitter/walker is walking the dogs a few times a week.  

This sudden major life change is why we are asking for your support.  All the medical expenses, medications, co-pays and a life time of anti-rejection and after care needed even with insurance is extremely expensive and adding up quickly.  This, with our out of town expenses are getting very overwhelming. However, we know that focusing on recovery and living an amazing gift of life with his new liver must be number one on our list.  
Mike and I cannot express how grateful we would be for your support.  Donating to his fight and/or sharing Mike's story and his GoFundMe page to all your family and friends who might be able to help support Mike during this time would be forever appreciated and always remembered.  Please help Mike with his new life!  

All your continued generosity, support, love and prayers have and will continue to be appreciated and forever in our hearts.  Thank you~ Mike and Jill 

Picture below is Mike with his dogs, Gabby and Bear.  Also, a picture taken today when I got to wheelchair ride Mike outside for some fresh air for a few moments!!