Mark’s Double Lung Transplant Journey

A MIRACLE HAS HAPPENED

As most of you know, Mark Rideout has been battling both Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and end stage COPD for many years. The past several years his declining health has become critical at times!

In October Mark and his wife, Chantelle, had to leave their home and their family to travel to Toronto for his double lung transplant assessment. However, Mark's deteriorating health as led to set-back, after set-back, with long hospital stays causing missed flights, delayed appointments and the initial heartbreak of not passing his first assessment. But through commitment and relentless hard work by the transplant team, the physiotherapists, and by Mark and Chantelle themselves, after 3 months the day finally came that Mark would be listed for a double lung transplant!

THEY GOT THE CALL

Yesterday at 11 am they received the call they've been waiting for for years! WE HAVE A SET OF LUNGS! Mark was to be prepped for surgery and waiting. If these lungs were suitable for transplant, he would go into surgery that night! At 9pm the surgeons wheeled him into the OR and after a 10 hour surgery Chantelle received the call that Mark's DLT surgery was a Success and that he now has a beautiful new set of lungs that are working just as they should!! Prayers have been answered for this truly deserving family.

THE HARD ROAD BEGINS AGAIN

Mark's road to recovery is not going to be an easy journey. Him and Chantelle are required to stay in Toronto for at least 3 months post-surgery. During this time, he will have to resume physio 3 times a week to build this strength to support his new lungs, attend numerous follow up appointments and start Anti-Rejection medication to ensure the best possible outcome after transplant. The stress and worry for this family is far from over.

As you can imagine, the financial toll of living in Toronto for the past several months, as well as looking ahead to the next 3+ months during recovery, has been an overwhelming worry that no family should have to deal with while trying to fight for their lives.

This Go Fund Me is aimed at helping with the cost of accommodations, living, and lifesaving medications so Mark can focus on his recovery, while also honoring the beautiful soul who gave their life so Mark can have his second chance.

If you have the means to donate and would like to, Mark, Chantelle and their family would be incredibly grateful. Every helping hand is a lessened weight on his healing chest! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!