Scooters 2nd Wind

Hey Friends and Family!


In 2013, my dad was diagnosed with COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This disease is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs, making a person short of breath, have an increased amount of mucus, a chronic cough and destruction and enlargement of air spaces in the lungs. Late 2013 he went on oxygen.


Shortly after in 2014, due to his line of work not allowing him to be able to carry portable oxygen around the job sites, and his lung disease making it difficult to accomplish anything without getting extremely winded, he was forced to go on disability. He was placed on various medications to help with his breathing and went to pulmonary rehabilitation weekly to try and help manage symptoms. Due to being short of breath and the need to carry oxygen around with him 24/7, everything my dad was accustomed to doing on a daily basis had to be completely rethought in a different manor in order for him to accomplish a task that was once second nature for him. For a man that is extremely active and used to doing all things with ease, this was a difficult pill to swallow.


As the years passed he began to realize his reserve would get shorter and shorter. This resulted in him having to increase the amount of breaks he would have to take just to get something done, including things as simple as walking to the kitchen or up the 10 stairs to his bedroom. In 2014, as the need for more CT & Pet scans started, a nodule was found in his lungs. This nodule had to be removed and biopsied by doing a wedge resection, causing the need for a short hospital stay as his lungs collapsed.


In 2016 we began meeting with UNMC pulmonary team twice a year. At this time, my dad started breathing tests to monitor his lung disease and to be certain new nodules weren’t developing. We made two trips to Iowa city to have tests done as they also do lung transplants. We were then made aware that UNMC started doing transplants again, and that’s when the decision was made to just continue with UNMC.


In December 2017 he had trialed a stem cell transplant in Dallas,Texas. This includes numerous amounts of tests, followed by stem cells being taken from the spinal fluid and then replacing it back in the body in hopes that it will regenerate new stem cells and improve the function of the lungs. He was told that he should notice small changes in hopefully 3-6 months. We would ask him weekly if he felt any better or felt as if his walking to and from the kitchen had improved and if he didn’t feel as winded. He never seemed to notice any improvements, but held onto higher hopes that over time he would notice a change.


In 2018 discussions of a lung transplant began with my dad’s pulmonary team. His numbers were within range for needing one and they suggested we discuss the options with the team at UNMC. It was at this point that our journey with UNMC started. My dad would commute to Omaha every 6 months for numerous tests and they would always state that his numbers were within range. However; their perspective was that his physical capabilities were still there so he could do the small things he was able to do to get by. After hearing this for so long & not agreeing, my dad began expressing how this is not living; sitting on the couch all day, barely being able to make it to his bedroom for bed without getting so winded that he’d have to stop to catch his breath just to get to bed and lay down again. He would express how he wants to be able to interact with his grandkids and catch frogs with them and teach them the ropes out in the garage.


Well, 2020 has come, and while we’re all aware of what a doozy this year has brought on for everyone, my family has been fortunate enough to be given the greatest blessing to close the year out. In the midst of all the chaos going on in the world, it has brought my family the most AMAZING gift we could ever ask for. The call we had been waiting for finally came. In complete transparency, this actually ended up being the 4th call - after hours of testing & lots of mental preparations, the previous ones resulted in lungs that ultimately weren’t healthy enough to be placed in my dad.


My dads chance at his second wind officially began on Friday November 6, 2020. Along with a double lung transplant, he also needed 5 blockages fixed on his heart. His new journey began Saturday at 2:15pm. The OR nurse called and told us the first incision was made and the procedure had begun. By Sunday morning at 3:00am, the surgeon called my mom and let her know the surgery was complete and everything went well. At this point he was moved to the ICU to be monitored.


As all are likely aware, the financial burden is huge of a procedure & recovery of this magnitude, on top of the initial expenses compiled prior to surgery. A small list of things included in the cost post-transplant include nearby lodging for up to 1 year, meals, travel, medical bills, and medicine for life, of which most are not covered by insurance, My mom has been right by my dads side every step of the way, which means she is unable to work as well. COVID has added another element as visitors are limited to only allow one person to be a sole caregiver and visitor for the patient.



With this, I ask for you to consider even the smallest of donation to my parents. There is no value to place on what this will mean to my mom and dad. I cannot, in any way, know how to thank you in advance for even the smallest gift, or however you can be a part of his road to better health. I pray that God will continue to give my dad hope, courage, and strength to continue through this amazing journey.