fett on 7/12/2021 at 09:42

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Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the GoFundMe, and to my brother Michael for setting it up. I'm always shocked at my friend's and family's generosity towards us. It relieves a huge burden that often cripples many families during similar situations, so we don't take a penny of it for granted. Christie will be able to take a leave of absence during my rehab period, which is crucial for us.

I've gotten so many inquiries as to how I'm doing that it's hard to respond to everyone, so I'll update here. The donor heart is beating strong and healthy, no worries from my cardiac team, and they'll be following me closely going forward to make sure everything stays that way. My kidneys are also functioning really well so no need for transplant. Stanford is ready to get me out the door and to rehab, hopefully this week at an acute rehab facility in San Francisco.

We are dealing with a hard challenge in all this, potentially a radically life-altering one. Though my ECMO treatement saved my life, it came at a cost. I suffered a spinal cord infarction or stroke. This is a risk we knew about when we made the decision to go on ECMO. Just as a brain stroke can cause loss of function, so can a spinal cord stroke. In my case it appears to have caused loss of function in my lower legs and feet. This doesn't mean I won't regain it back but it's far too early to tell. I'll be doing physical therapy for months or potententially years. This could mean a wheelchair, maybe a walker, or braces for the feet and lower legs. However, my intention is to not need anything, sooner rather than later. It all depends on how hard I work at rehab, and what the spinal injury will allow. Transplants are always a trade-off; one fatal problem for other less life- threatening ones. I figure, I was in full-blown cardiogenic shock and multiple organ failure. We should be talking about memorials and funeral services right now. Wheelchairs or leg braces that I can potentially work past is a bullet dodged to my mind.

Regardless, it's a long, hard road ahead. There is a lot of work to do. I'll go from rehab to housing generously provided by Heartfelt Hope Foundation, a local non-profit. Stanford requires me to have housing within 30 min of the hospital after rehab for 3 months because of the frequent biopsies and appts. After that I'll go home.

Thank you all again for the massive rallying of support from everyone. That alone was a source of encouragement and hope during all this. Love and peace to you all.

Tocky on 7/12/2021 at 13:27

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Yes! It didn't effect your hands so you can still play guitar! Somebody will wheel you to the stage. Kidding. We are all happy to still have you with us if you never hit another lick. You are a good dude and the world can never afford to lose one of those. This is truly happy news to hear before the holidays and just gives me one more thing to be grateful for. Speedy recovery I hope.

Pyrian on 7/12/2021 at 16:50

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Congratulations on surviving! Hope you get better and have many years of shenanigans ahead.

https://i.imgur.com/5TGn89D.gif

lowenz on 7/12/2021 at 20:48

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^_^

R Soul on 9/12/2021 at 19:59

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Good to hear from you fett. :D

Also nice to see a Discworld reference.