Second Chance

Hi. These were taken before they took Mitch back for his SECOND double lung transplant surgery .

The opportunity could not have come later, as each day was becoming more and more tragic and terrifying.

What started less than 3 weeks ago, after a clarifying and conclusive wedge biopsy, that diagnosed Mitch's transplanted lungs with aggressive Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome (BOS), the downward spiral began. BOS, a form of chronic rejection, is unusual in the first year post-tranplant and had completely destroyed Mitch's smaller airways and rapidly progressed, beyond treatment. It could have involved, theoretically, yet inconclusively, all the narrowing and airway issues he had from six weeks post-transplant and over the past 10 months. BOS ultimately presented as a drop in oxygen saturation during activity, and then overall- which developed in early to mid-June to a rapid and complete/conclusive decline with cell diagnosed BOS in early July/late June. However, Mitch has had a steady decline in Pulmonary function over the past 5 months.

Mitch has been in the Intensive Care Unit for 8 days, after a steady and horrifyingly rapid decline over the past 2 weeks since he was admitted to the hospital (UNC-CH)- For example, today, i.e., even on 100% oxygen, any effort or movement required him to gasp and struggle to recover for about 5-10 minutes. We wondered what lie ahead the past few days, with great despair, yet still hopeful, waiting for a donor but in moments imagining the torturious and painful future so many endure who succomb to illness--

Yesterday, Mitch hit a wall of sorts; which for him is HUGE, as you know. He is so brave and never complains or frets but is always optimistic--... Which was why it was so striking when he said he felt he was near death. I don't mean to scare you, my friends, - I just wanted you to know how fortunate and timely this organ donor is- whatever the outcome--- There really, was not much more time for success to be had, if it may.

This morning came, and a possible donor was found. We waited for hours for the final call- until 4pm this afternoon when they took him back into surgery.

I will let you know more details when they come but we are hoping that the second set is the right set and the last time was practice..

Oh, and they are doing a special "different" protocal which may really be great for his success and to avoid similar issues in the future.