Please help the Rieck Family

Hi, My name is Stacy Greene and I’m raising money to help my son and his family through this challenging time.

On August 20th, Carter went in for what we call “routine kidney maintenance.” We knew he had Rota virus, his kidneys were not happy ,and needed IV fluid help. What We thought would be pretty routine, ( something that Chelsea would do often with Carter) and Carter would be on his way in a matter of days. Over the weeks Carter’s health continued to decline. He made countless trips to the OR, biopsies, heart caths, labs, broncs, and so many more. On September 13th, Carter switched sides of the hospital and was sent to the ICU. On September 17th, Carter was diagnosed finally with PJP, a very rare lung infection seen in transplant kids, so rare that Carter is the first case at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and 19th case in the last 15 years in the country. Over the weeks, Carter continued to show his strength, but Carter’s lungs continued to decline and took a massive hit. On October 1st, Carter began having seizures from the paralytic medications he was given. By the weekend we were told Carter was brain dead and paralyzed. We were heart broken and spent the weekend on our knees praying for a miracle. On October 3rd, the miracle came, Carter started wiggling his toes and fingers again. We knew he had a fight left.

On October 11th, Chelsea sat down with Carter’s doctors. The odds weren’t good. Carter had majorly declined over the previous weekend. At this point we had seizures, brain damage, and Carter’s lungs were continuing to decline rapidly. Doctor McConnell told us our only option left was a very risky surgery, one that had never been done on a transplant kiddo.

No one believed Carter was healthy enough to get through the surgery. If we made it through surgery, doctors discussed with John and Chelsea about making Carter more comfortable for his last days. John and Chelsea decided that Carter’s strength was there, and they no longer would watch him suffer. They moved forward with the surgery.

On October 13th, John and Chelsea watched as Carter went to the OR again, where they kissed him goodbye not knowing what the outcome would be. The odds weren’t good, but we knew Carter had so much fight left.

Five hours of surgery, with lots of pacing praying and tears. Dr. McConnell replaced his ECMO cannula from his neck to directly into Carter’s heart, and his kidney dialysis was finally able to be placed properly through his neck. Allowing us for better circulation all around. Carter’s surgery was successful! We went from Carter’s oxygen levels from the high 60s before surgery to 100 within one hour of recovery! You could feel the entire heart floor celebrate for Carters success when he arrived back to the floor that afternoon.

We got our miracle.

At this point, we sadly know Carters lungs will never recover fully. It feels like such a miracle we’ve made it this far with him, with the power of prayer from so many of you and Carters unbelievable stength. We are so thankful. If Carter makes it through all of this, we’re not looking for him to be able to come home until next year. Along with that, Carter will also require another surgery before his recovery can truly begin. Carter will eventually require a tracheostomy, and will require vent and respiratory help for the rest of his life.

Carter has truly been a fighter through all of this. We are beyond blessed and overwhelmingly proud to be able to call ourselves his parents. He has taught us the true meaning of unconditional love and taught us to slow down and not take anything for granted. No one knows what the future holds for him health wise, but we could not be more thankful for our little warrior.

Carter has a very long road. We know we’re not out of the woods yet. With a long road of recovery ahead. Today was truly miracle, and carter is doing unbelievably well, and no longer suffering with low oxygen support and poor circulation.

Chelsea and John having been staying at Carter’s bedside through this difficult time, but also have been traveling back to their home in Woodsfield , where their other 4 children are. As with any hospital stay, medical bills and travel expenses are adding up. Along with this, John has taken time off from work to be with Carter and to take care of their other children. Now more than anything, they could really use the extra help.