HARRY
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The following Go Fund Me page is to raise money for an amazing, Son, brother, friend, mate, father and partner, his name Craig "HARRY " Harris, the following is Craig's story which all started in March 2015
It was Western Australia Day 2015 when Craig thought he had food poisoning and was violently ill. He was taken to Swan District Hospital and was discharged a little time later but throughout the day got progressively worse and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.
Things became quite urgent when it was determined that Craig had a internal bleed and the cause was coming from a ruptured Varices. A Varices are dilated blood vessels usually in the oesophagus or stomach. There are no symptoms unless they rupture and bleed and a bleed from varices is life-threatening and can be associated with a liver condition. This was the start of the investigation into his illness.
After numerous tests, scans and stays in hospital Craig was diagnosed with Cirrhosis-Chronic Liver Disease (not alcohol related).
Every 4 – 12 days since then Craig has been required to attend hospital for day surgery to have “bands” applied to Varices to reduce the risk of any further bleeds. The number of bands vary from 12 to 3 and every number in between. This reduces the risk of any life-threatening bleeds.
His body had to fight Ongoing Infections
Part of the liver function is to remove toxins from the body and with Cirrhosis the body is not able to do this and a condition called Encephalopathy occurs. Encephalopathy is where the toxins build up in the blood and can eventual go to the brain. When there is a build up of toxins in the body it can retain fluid (on occasion up to 9kg), nausea, lethargy and confusion. The confusion has been so bad at times he has been unable to function. There have been many episodes of this and many stays in hospital to recover.
Craig was Referred to the Liver Transplant Team
where a team of specialist will over see through the process, the team must make sure that he ready and his body is ready for a Liver transplant. Everything must be as well as possible to give a new liver the best possible chance of success. The team consists of everything from Psychiatrists to Dentists and everything in between and they oversee and monitor his health. Each member of the “Team” must sign off that he is ready to go onto the Organ Transplant Register.
It was during these tests that the Cardiologist found three blockages coming out of his heart. The blockages were so substantial that it was decided that a Triple Bypass was required to ensure enough blood flow through the body to support a new liver. The surgery was classed as Urgent. As a result of the Liver Disease it was decided that his best option for surgery was a Beating heart surgery. It is common for the patient’s heart and lungs to be stopped and put onto a machine but in Craig’s case this was not an option and the potential for all organs to shut down where greater if done this way. A beating heart bypass is conducted whilst his own heart is beating and is less common and not carried out by all Cardiologists. A further complication was added as his liver does not produce the proteins to clot blood, Craig could at any time have a “Bleed” which could be potentially deadly for him as it may not be able to be stopped. This is even greater when undergoing surgery and was a major risk during this surgery.
December 2017
Another set back with the onset of another bout of Encephalopathy (toxin build up) and then the onset on pneumonia. After a two week stay in hospital released home for Christmas.
January 2018
The surgery was conducted on the 16th January and although there was a couple of “Bleeds” the Surgeon was able to stop them and the surgery was a huge success. A major artery was taken from his left arm, right leg and a third from his chest cavity. On the 17th Craig had a few issues where his kidneys decided to stop working properly but under the unbelievable care of the ICU team the kidneys were quickly fixed. However as a result of the kidneys not working Craig was unable to move around and get the lungs working properly which then led to pneumonia. After a five day stay in ICU he was then transferred to ward and was soon released from the care of the Cardiac team and transferred to the Liver team. Another bout of Encephalopathy occurred and after three weeks in hospital was then released.
March 2018
Now recovering at home he has started to see the Transplant team again. With weekly visits to the Transplant unit to once again commence the process of having the “team” sign off ready to go onto the Organ Transplant List. The treatment and process will continue until such time that Craig will be fortunate to have a Liver Transplant.
Finally As you can see Craig for the last 3 years has had a fight on his hands, He is no longer able to work and is fatigued and feeling unwell all the time,, the funds we raise here will go along way in helping Craig his amazing partner Rachel and his two beautiful daughters Mikayla and Tahlia, we also know that every donation we can raise here will go along way in helping Craig make a long but full recovery.
https://register.donatelife.gov.au
It was Western Australia Day 2015 when Craig thought he had food poisoning and was violently ill. He was taken to Swan District Hospital and was discharged a little time later but throughout the day got progressively worse and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.
Things became quite urgent when it was determined that Craig had a internal bleed and the cause was coming from a ruptured Varices. A Varices are dilated blood vessels usually in the oesophagus or stomach. There are no symptoms unless they rupture and bleed and a bleed from varices is life-threatening and can be associated with a liver condition. This was the start of the investigation into his illness.
After numerous tests, scans and stays in hospital Craig was diagnosed with Cirrhosis-Chronic Liver Disease (not alcohol related).
Every 4 – 12 days since then Craig has been required to attend hospital for day surgery to have “bands” applied to Varices to reduce the risk of any further bleeds. The number of bands vary from 12 to 3 and every number in between. This reduces the risk of any life-threatening bleeds.
His body had to fight Ongoing Infections
Part of the liver function is to remove toxins from the body and with Cirrhosis the body is not able to do this and a condition called Encephalopathy occurs. Encephalopathy is where the toxins build up in the blood and can eventual go to the brain. When there is a build up of toxins in the body it can retain fluid (on occasion up to 9kg), nausea, lethargy and confusion. The confusion has been so bad at times he has been unable to function. There have been many episodes of this and many stays in hospital to recover.
Craig was Referred to the Liver Transplant Team
where a team of specialist will over see through the process, the team must make sure that he ready and his body is ready for a Liver transplant. Everything must be as well as possible to give a new liver the best possible chance of success. The team consists of everything from Psychiatrists to Dentists and everything in between and they oversee and monitor his health. Each member of the “Team” must sign off that he is ready to go onto the Organ Transplant Register.
It was during these tests that the Cardiologist found three blockages coming out of his heart. The blockages were so substantial that it was decided that a Triple Bypass was required to ensure enough blood flow through the body to support a new liver. The surgery was classed as Urgent. As a result of the Liver Disease it was decided that his best option for surgery was a Beating heart surgery. It is common for the patient’s heart and lungs to be stopped and put onto a machine but in Craig’s case this was not an option and the potential for all organs to shut down where greater if done this way. A beating heart bypass is conducted whilst his own heart is beating and is less common and not carried out by all Cardiologists. A further complication was added as his liver does not produce the proteins to clot blood, Craig could at any time have a “Bleed” which could be potentially deadly for him as it may not be able to be stopped. This is even greater when undergoing surgery and was a major risk during this surgery.
December 2017
Another set back with the onset of another bout of Encephalopathy (toxin build up) and then the onset on pneumonia. After a two week stay in hospital released home for Christmas.
January 2018
The surgery was conducted on the 16th January and although there was a couple of “Bleeds” the Surgeon was able to stop them and the surgery was a huge success. A major artery was taken from his left arm, right leg and a third from his chest cavity. On the 17th Craig had a few issues where his kidneys decided to stop working properly but under the unbelievable care of the ICU team the kidneys were quickly fixed. However as a result of the kidneys not working Craig was unable to move around and get the lungs working properly which then led to pneumonia. After a five day stay in ICU he was then transferred to ward and was soon released from the care of the Cardiac team and transferred to the Liver team. Another bout of Encephalopathy occurred and after three weeks in hospital was then released.
March 2018
Now recovering at home he has started to see the Transplant team again. With weekly visits to the Transplant unit to once again commence the process of having the “team” sign off ready to go onto the Organ Transplant List. The treatment and process will continue until such time that Craig will be fortunate to have a Liver Transplant.
Finally As you can see Craig for the last 3 years has had a fight on his hands, He is no longer able to work and is fatigued and feeling unwell all the time,, the funds we raise here will go along way in helping Craig his amazing partner Rachel and his two beautiful daughters Mikayla and Tahlia, we also know that every donation we can raise here will go along way in helping Craig make a long but full recovery.
https://register.donatelife.gov.au
Organizer
John Western
Organizer
Scarborough WA
