11/29/09 - Home

This is a picture of Bruce getting ready to go home. They kicked him out on Thanksgiving... his doctors wanted him out of the hospital to reduce the potential of catching anything. The anti-rejection drugs are surpressing his white blood cells, which make him highly susceptible to germs, which, if he got sick, could be really really bad. They also take a lot out of him, he sleeps a lot. He gets to eat real food, as real as a renal diet can be, low sodium, low potassium and low fat. He's periodically checking the blog, emails & texts. Please continue the no visiting protocol, I haven't seen him either. We really want him to gain his strength back and get farther down the road to recovery. Tomorrow morning 4AM they will be headed back to Grand Rapids for a series of follow up tests, they hope to be back before school's out. Kelli filled the first perscription and wrote a check for $400 (ouch).
The volunteers for Bruce are meeting at GTYC at 7pm on Monday night to continue our work on how we can help them, meal club, ticket sales, canister campaign, event plans, etc., Please feel free to join us. We are planning a benefit dinner for Bruce to be at GTYC on Saturday 12/12/09 from 5pm - 10PM with over $10,000 in raffle items. Tickets are $10 for the dinner & $25 for a raffle ticket (5 for $100). All proceeds go to the National Foundation for Transplants in honor of Bruce Lockwood and are tax deductible. The National Foundation for Transplants help Bruce and his family with expenses that are not covered by insurance. Make your reservations at helpbrucie@yahoo.com

11/24/09 - Anti-Rejection Drugs & Blood needed...

Lamar Signs agreed to give us time on their electronic billboards starting next week for promoting the benefit dinner and raffle for Bruce on Dec. 12 at GTYC from 5-10.
Mom showed the Billboard to Bruce and he was amazed!! Can't believe what's happening! It got a chuckle out of him!!

Just started the antirejection drugs with a direct feed thru his neck. Along with it is something to minimize nausea. The anti-rejections drugs kill the white cells so that's why he has to be so careful not to get germs. He's out like a light as the drugs make him sleepy, too. I did manage to give him a pedicure today. He needed it bad!! Painted his big toes pink!! ;) Should paint the other ones while he is asleep! ;)))

The word for the day is: Borborygmi (BOR-borh-RIG-mee): Rumbling sounds caused by gas moving through the intestines.

Bruce's real night nurse, Tina, taught him this. Gale said she could hear B's borborygmi without a stethescope last night!!

All the doc's who've been in today are really pleased with Bruce's progress!! The nefrologist (sp?) who is the lead doc was actually smiling today, and he never smiles. The creatinin level being below 5 shows the new kidney is working!! That was his biggest concern. B's hemoglobin being low didn't seem to bother the doc. Transfusion not even mentioned because B looks good. Wants him to grow the blood on his own. Bruce likes that idea.
Lungs are clear. Starting the anti-rejection drugs today a little at a time.

Going for a walk with the patient now. Later.............xo Mom

Bruce has 3 kidneys now. He will keep all three of them (barring any breakdowns). The doctors are trying to figure out if his new kidney is producing the urine or the two old kidneys. Time and ultra sound should tell.

B. is getting 2 units of blood today as his hemoglobin is lower. He also received a shot to help him increase red blood cell production. He's allowed to take a shower today. We're all glad!!;) Especially B. He's itchy and P.T. A.'s , powder and clean gowns just don't seem to be cutting it. This is certainly an up and down road we are traveling. One day he can poop and the next day he can't. Blood okay then it's not. But the important thing, THE KIDNEY, seems to be working. Have a wonderful and thankful Thanksgiving!

11/23/09 - Recovery Report

The report is good, but he's not out of the woods yet.
He's been approved to walk as much as he can, though he's still weak, low hemoglobin, low white blood cells, triple surgeries... you can get the picture. The doctors are concerned about the Kidney as it took 2 "Hits" - The first from being removed from it's original owner and 2nd from the lack of blood flow for about an hour before his second surgery. They're preforming ultrasounds and keeping a close eye on him. It seems to be working but they're not sure if its his two old sick kidneys doing the work - or not...

The Vascular surgeon is quite pleased with his work on the gortex tube graft, and they all are a bit miffed at Brucie's collapsible arteries... the pulse in his foot is strong. As you can see from his picture, he's online and answering his phone, but the boy needs sleep - so please hold off on calling him for a bit. It's very difficult in the hospital to get sleep with all the noises and the nurses checking your pulse, bp and incisions every couple hours. He was sleeping when Mom called me this morning and was awakened by his phone ringing... (of course, he's not turning it off...) So police this for him, please. You can make comments here, he'll read them.

Today he was given a "Kidney Pillow #1668" (the number of kidney transplants they've performed since 1974. He named it "Mr. Bill" :)(he's not sure why, either Mr. Bill White or SNL's "ooooohhh noooooo! Mr. Bill!" He's been told he can work out his upper body as much as he wants but cannot exercise his lower body for 6-10 weeks. We're also told he may be able to come home either Wednesday or Friday... depending on how things go.

Thanks again for all your support, we're planning away on the benefit dinner 12/12/09. With invites being printed. Buy your ticket or email your reservaion at; helpbrucie@yahoo.com

Sunday 11/22/09 Recovery Mode

This is a drawing by Dr. Borrenson representing all 3 surgeries. The black circle is the new kidney, the blue is the gortex tube graft and the red is the artery.
They placed the kidney in his lower abdomen in the front of his body, right side.

Sometime early this AM from Gale: Bruce slept soundly over the night, the nurses came in every hour to check pulse in his right leg. It is still numb, and the doctor says that is normal, it will take a while for feeling to return. Gale spent the night with him, as Mom went back to the room to shower and sleep. Mom is doing well, and Gale says the patient is enjoying his foot massages a bit too much. Bruce got to drink Sprite last night, its the first flavor he's had in months.

7am Mom's back, relieving the night nurse :) This morning he gets real food!!! Oatmeal and honey, YUM!! The doctor said that after the 3rd surgery he entered into Recovery Mode - rather than surgery mode... yay!

11:42am IV out of hand, blood pressure cuff off, H2O & heart monitor removed ~ he's sleeping comfortably now. I can hear the relief in Mom's messages ~ as she texts me updates! Doc says that Bruce can drive in a month, exercise upperbody as much ss he wants, no lower body exercise for 6-10 weeks.

Saturday Night 11/21/09 "In the Pink".

His new kidney “pinked” up and is working beautifully. On the 3rd 3.5 hour operation he had to have installed 2” of gortex graft repaired the artery that ran from his new kidney down his rt leg. Better than a harvested artery since his arteries were weak and dilapidated. The artery had been damaged by the clamps used during surgeries, but we hope that now he’ll move along the long road to recovery. He can receive no flowers and no visitors. He’s very tired, though was alert between operations. Mom & Kelli and the rest of us, hardly slept last night, hope to get more sleep tonight, it’s easier if he’s not in surgery. Kelli headed home this evening to take care of some things that they’d left hanging to beat it down to GR for this miraculous gift. Gale’s up from Indiana with Mom, tag teaming to be with Bruce massaging his leg to improve the circulation and enforcing his breathing exercises. The report is that the kidney's working quite well, that’s one goal. The doctors have introduced more nutrients back into his system through the I.V., as they had to flush his body clear of potassium prior to the 1st surgery. He’s been off food for 36 hours, the doctor said no food until tomorrow, though he can drink. The Vascular Surgeon liked his work, but says that the numbness in Bruce's foot will take a while to go away since it was without blood for too long, but now we're in the pink.

We are eternally grateful for the blessings we receive, Thank you.

Saturday 11/21/09 5:30PM

1:00pm Saturday 11/21/09 ~ Round 3 – this time with a Vascular Surgeon – thinking small tears in arteries or veins are causing lack of circulation… at this point saving the kidney is the focus. He’s still in there at 3:50… such a lot of work. Stay tuned, we ought to know more soon. Please continue to pray for Bruce and his surgical teams.

4:22PM Yes, even though Michigan can’t seem to make a touch down we seem to have… Bruce is out of surgery and is now the proud owner of a gortex artery graft, he’s in recovery now. Hopefully this will be the last surgery for 2009.

5:30PM He's Back! Color much improved, joking, coughing and doing his breathing exercises.

Sandy has asked me to point out that Bruce is extremely tired and really cannot accept visitors for a while. The threat of infection is very serious, and the 3 surgeries taxing. While Bruce loves his friends he truly should remain sequestered as much as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Please use this forum as a place to send him your comments, he will read this as his recovery progresses.

Heather

Sat 11/21/09 12:50 PM

There were some challenges through the night. A blood clot that took Bruce back into surgery was removed followed by some issue with the blood pressure and pulse in his one leg but things have mellowed this morning. He's awake and hungry (seems like a good sign to me) but still in a guarded situation. Kelly and Sandy have been trading off for catnaps here and there. Gale is heading to GR today for some relief for his team. What a long night for everyone! Sending up prayers for Bruce, his doctors, nurses and family!--Jennifer Szunko

Saturday, November 21, 2009 4:57 AM

Bruce is out of second surgery
He is good. All is good.
Doc said the lining of artery delaminated and
was blocking the blood from getting into the kidney.
They removed the clot from Kidney.
They also ran a catheter down the right leg and found no blood clot, so that is good.
Kelli went back to apartment and Mom is catching some sleep in the lounge chair in his room.
He is not back in his room yet.

Heather

Complications

1:19AM The pulse on his right leg is not good, an ultrasound is looking for a blood clot.

1:35AM They found the clot in the kidney, they’re taking him back in to the O.R. More prayers.

4:43AM Bruce is out of second surgery he is good. All is good.
Doc said the lining of artery delaminated and was blocking the blood from getting into the kidney. They removed the clot from Kidney. They also ran a catheter down the right leg and found no blood clot, so that is good. Kelli went back to apartment and Mom is catching some sleep in the lounge chair in his room. He is not back in his room yet.

7AM The doctors have been working very hard all night.
Another scare. Couldn’t find a pulse in his right foot again, Got a new machine and it found a pulse. If he goes back to the OR it’ll be a big deal with vascular surgeon and grafting veins & arteries and scary stuff like that. No food or drink since yesterday at 9am. He’s really thirsty and sucking on sponges. Kelli went to the apt to sleep, Mom is cat napping in the hospital room, Gale is on her way to GR.

Bruce is out of surgery!

11:08pm Bruce is out of surgery, he's good, kidney is working, there's an allergy showing up on his skin, we don't yet know why. Thank God. Stay tuned. Thank you for all your continued prayers.

Surgery Started around 7:45pm 11/20/09

Bruce went into surgery around 7:45pm ....all systems were go.
Mom and Kelli met surgeon, nurses and anesthesist(sp),
Kelli and Mom are now eating at a really good steak house. (Mom was hungry!!)
They are then headed to check into the apartment that the hospital reserves for families to use while they stay in town for things like this. It is nice, with kitchen and not too pricey at all.

They will go back to hospital after a while.
Somehow they need to pass 6 hours by really quick!!

Saint Mary’s Hospital 11-20-2009

Saint Mary’s Hospital

Update:

Bruce drove Kelli and Mom in her car to GR, he called the nurse to let her know they were 2 hours out and the nurse sounded disappointed, so Bruce stepped on it and flew down the road at 100mph in the Volvo. Mom was worried about her engine, ha. They walked in the door at 4:30 and he was stripped down into that handsome hospital dress before Mom could park the car.

By 4:45 Bruce had gotten his EKG, they had a tough time getting a vein but eventually got some of his blood, he’s got an IV, they’re adding an access point in his neck. They’re waiting for some lab report to return from Ann Arbor to ensure the donor is truly a good match. They believe it will be but once they know for sure, for sure, they will do the surgery either tonight or tomorrow morning.

He’s in Saint Mary’s Hospital in Room H704, Private room, beautiful view of Church spires with crosses, buildings and downtown Grand Rapids. I’ve asked them to create a list of how we can help them, since they dropped everything and headed out. Please resist sending flowers, send gifts to NFT in honor of Bruce instead. Tracy’s sent me an initial list, see below. I’ll forward more updates as I can.

Heather

NEWS Friday November 20th 2009

Today Bruce Lockwood was notified that a kidney, more of a match than Don's, is available. Bruce has made the decision to accept this kidney.

He will leave this afternoon with family members for a hospital in Grand Rapids. All we know about the kidney is that the doner is on life support and that the kidney is PERFECT MATCH!

The transplant will happen tonight.

As more information becomes available it will be posted on this site.

jib

How Do You Know Bruce?

As a team member of the "Volunteers For Bruce" group I have been impressed by the wide diversity of people that know Bruce.

I am presenting "How do you know Bruce" as a topic that everyone can contribute to. Please use the comment box as your platform to write your story of how you know Bruce.

He will read these stories and hopefully gain inspiration to fuel his journey to recovery.

John Briggs (jib)

The Nov. 16 meeting of the Volunteers For Bruce went really well!!

Benefit Dinner plans for Dec. 12 were solidified. Tickets are available for sale!!! $10 each, kids 5 and under free! When buying or selling the tickets please have the checks for the tickets made payable to NFT, with "Bruce Lockwood" in the memo line.

More computer techies signed on to get the address' downloaded.

Lots of raffle gifts are rolling in! A diamond necklace, original art, golfing at Crystal Downs, ski weekends and more!!

Our first donations were received and Bill White, Treas. will send them down to NFT.

Two new campaigns have started. Cannister and Business Solicitation.

Incredible the support and enthusiasm these friends of Bruce exhibit!! THE NEXT MEETING OF THE VOLUNTEERS FOR BRUCE WILL BE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 AT THE GRAND TRAVERSE YACHT CLUB, 7 PM.

It's an important meeting so please make an effort to be there!!

Great new tool

Hello,

This blog has been created as a tool to provide you with updates on Bruce's progress. As you all know Bruce's life isn't in front of a computer so most of the information you'll see here will be posted by me, his sister, his Mother and a few of his close friends. At some point when he get's the life saving kidney transplant he will be sequestered in his home in order to stay away from possible infections and just possibly this will serve as a great form of communication for all of us.

You are welcome to send him well wishes here, he will read them. Thank you for your love, prayers and attention.

Heather Lockwood Clark