Here's the story that ran on KSL TV tonight about the transplant:
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Going on 8 1/2 hours in surgery
Still waiting for word that the surgery's over. He had to be put in a bypass machine earlier and is now off. They're just waiting for the lung to work on its own before they can begin to close him up. Hang in there Dad.
Still waiting ...
The nurses just called and said things are going well, they're still sewing the lung in and that they'll give us another update in an hour and a half.
A new lung for Christmas!
Dads in surgery as we speak and getting a new lung. He got the call last night around 7pm and we didn't know for sure if it would actually happen until 9am this morning. We're all here waiting for him to come out of surgery - probably til at least 1-3pm. If all goes well, he'll be in the surgical ICU for a couple of days and then he'll be moved back up to the transplant floor for at least another 5-7 days after that. He's got quite a rough road ahead of him, even if everything goes perfectly. We're so very grateful for all of the love and support we feel from our family and friends. We love you all so much! Our hearts are also full with thoughts of the donor's family and what they must be going through right now. We hope and pray that they know how incredibly grateful we are for this amazing gift. Stay tuned!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
December 14,2011
Well, a ton has happened since my last post. I haven't posted for some time but things will change. Great News with regard to the lung transplant. Initially my prospects of having a lung transplant were slim due to my age. Fortunately, we put in a request for one before my 65 birthday in hopes something would develop; this would prove very important later.
In September of 2011, Bryan set up a meeting with UCLA and asked for a meeting with their lung transplant team hoping that maybe they would entertain putting me on the list there. The meeting went very well. They explained that they operate on a point system and age is not an automatic disqualifier. Due to the fact that I have taken care of myself and was in great shape for my age other than the lung, they would consider me for a transplant if I could pass some physical examinations and tests. We were given permission to do the tests at the U. of U. in SLC which I have been undergoing this fall. While going through the process and seeing how well the tests were going, the Doctors at the U revisited my situation and two week ago, after all the tests, I was officially placed on the transplant list at the U. Because the request was made before 65, I was able to get the approval. I am now just waiting for a call if a lung should become available. Wow! is all I can say. I new lease on life?
My overall condition and lung capacity began to diminish earlier in the year making it impossible to do any of the activities I once enjoyed. This is a wicked disease which is progressive and relentless. Overall lung capacity is somewhere around 30% and it is necessary to be on continuous oxygen. My challenge is to stay as healthy as long as I can. I go to the U three times a week for rehab with oxygen which I enjoy.
Friends and family have been wonderful and I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. Even with this, Life is awesome, and I don't say this lightly or to try and impress. It really is. Every day is exciting. I have challenges now with trying to navigate through this ordeal that involve more than just the physical, but with family like my daughter Jani, my two sons Bryan and Carter, and my wife Chris, I can't lose no matter what happens.
The season is upon us and, who knows, maybe my next post will be with a new lung from the hospital.
Merry Christmas All.
Dwight
Well, a ton has happened since my last post. I haven't posted for some time but things will change. Great News with regard to the lung transplant. Initially my prospects of having a lung transplant were slim due to my age. Fortunately, we put in a request for one before my 65 birthday in hopes something would develop; this would prove very important later.
In September of 2011, Bryan set up a meeting with UCLA and asked for a meeting with their lung transplant team hoping that maybe they would entertain putting me on the list there. The meeting went very well. They explained that they operate on a point system and age is not an automatic disqualifier. Due to the fact that I have taken care of myself and was in great shape for my age other than the lung, they would consider me for a transplant if I could pass some physical examinations and tests. We were given permission to do the tests at the U. of U. in SLC which I have been undergoing this fall. While going through the process and seeing how well the tests were going, the Doctors at the U revisited my situation and two week ago, after all the tests, I was officially placed on the transplant list at the U. Because the request was made before 65, I was able to get the approval. I am now just waiting for a call if a lung should become available. Wow! is all I can say. I new lease on life?
My overall condition and lung capacity began to diminish earlier in the year making it impossible to do any of the activities I once enjoyed. This is a wicked disease which is progressive and relentless. Overall lung capacity is somewhere around 30% and it is necessary to be on continuous oxygen. My challenge is to stay as healthy as long as I can. I go to the U three times a week for rehab with oxygen which I enjoy.
Friends and family have been wonderful and I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. Even with this, Life is awesome, and I don't say this lightly or to try and impress. It really is. Every day is exciting. I have challenges now with trying to navigate through this ordeal that involve more than just the physical, but with family like my daughter Jani, my two sons Bryan and Carter, and my wife Chris, I can't lose no matter what happens.
The season is upon us and, who knows, maybe my next post will be with a new lung from the hospital.
Merry Christmas All.
Dwight
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Results
Results from the one year anniversary of the clinical trial in which I have participated are very encouraging! There has been very little progression of the fibrosis in the lungs! It is not necessary for me to haul around a portable oxygen tank in order to carry on ormal activities and I can do pretty much everything I need to. The breathing capacity tests are the same and my over-all physical condition is good.
Dr. Scholand, my excellent pulmonologists, say this is cause for celebration! This is timely as Chris and I left soon after for our St. George/Palm Springs hiatus. While in St. George we were blessed with a new grandson, Tanner Clark Osborn, who was born during the Super Bowl. Best half-time program for us ever!!
We were joined in Palm Springs with our good friends and family, TC and Gail Conlin, who we have enjoyed being with. Long walks, pool-side conversations, and incredibly scenic rounds of golf on the Marriott Desert Springs Palm Course; couldn't have asked for better weather.
I have been able to mix in some business with pleasure here so things are working out.
Look forward to seeing you all soon. Spring is just around the corner.
Dwight
Dr. Scholand, my excellent pulmonologists, say this is cause for celebration! This is timely as Chris and I left soon after for our St. George/Palm Springs hiatus. While in St. George we were blessed with a new grandson, Tanner Clark Osborn, who was born during the Super Bowl. Best half-time program for us ever!!
We were joined in Palm Springs with our good friends and family, TC and Gail Conlin, who we have enjoyed being with. Long walks, pool-side conversations, and incredibly scenic rounds of golf on the Marriott Desert Springs Palm Course; couldn't have asked for better weather.
I have been able to mix in some business with pleasure here so things are working out.
Look forward to seeing you all soon. Spring is just around the corner.
Dwight
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