Heart transplant needed for Darren

[FlaShroomer]

We just returned from visiting my 21 year old nephew in the hospital critical care unit.

He was born with congenital heart problems and it has come to the point now where a transplant is needed.

Please pray for Darren to stabilize and be able to be transported to the transplant center that is best for him.

Also pray that his new bride (5/30/04) can handle all the stress and that his Dad and Mom (my sister) will put their faith in the one true God through this.

Thank you.

[Happy Trails]

Tom,

Darren will be added to my prayers, as well as the new wife and the rest of your family members. To hear of such a young man to need of a new heart really tugs at my heartstrings. I have a daughter who needs a lung transplant, but has opted not to receive one. But the long range prognosis of heart transplant patients is far better than a lung transplants at this time.

George

[Debbie]

Tom,
I will be happy to add my prayers for your nephew and his new bride. It is so tough being newly married, let alone add this stressor to the marriage.

I pray he will gain enough strentgh to have his transplant succesfully.

Debbie

[miker]

Tom, got you covered on my end, may the Lord and his Holy son, stand by you and your family in this time. miker

[lindamay]

You all are in my prayers also.
Lindamay

[morelmaniac]

I am praying that things turn out for the better. Yes also will pray that stress is handled appropriatly and given to God through which all things are possible. God is Good ALL The Time!
mm

[charlie]

Tom, Darren has my prayers also. No heart problem is good , especially for such a young man. God Bless!

[7707]

Tom, Your whole family will be in our prayers, I have a niece with the same condition. She has already had 2 operations and seems to be doing fine. Our faith in god & prayer have help us thus far. Take care FlaSh I wish your family well.

steve

[FlaShroomer]

Ya'll are great. Thanks so much.

Darren got stabilized enough that they were able to air-ambulance him to the adult heart transplant center in Gainesville, FL.

Thomas

[Tammy]

Flash...

Your family will be in our prayers, and I'll let the uncles know (the ones that were with us up north when we 'met').

Hope all goes well with the transplant, and that he will live a long and happy life with his new bride.

Jeff and Tam

[DGBAY]

Good to hear that Tom was able to be flown to the transplant center. My continued prayers for a successful transplant for him and prayers to you and his new bride, as well.....

[morelmaniac]

Continued prayers for you, your son his new bride, and the family! Glad to hear he was able to get stable enough to be transported.
MM

[Ohio Transplant]

So sorry I missed this post Tom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, for sure.

[Tracey]

A young man with a new life beginning, should not be burdened with an illness. God will watch over him with the help of our prayers. Take comfort in that. Our prayers are with him, and the family.

[steo]

This hits too close to home because I also was born with a bum ticker. Three years ago I had a double valve job at age 35 and have been good since. Have convidence in todays wonderful medical miracle workers. I did and I'm still here.

[FlaShroomer]

Just want to keep all of you prayer warriors posted. Darren had his first full night's sleep last night in over a month and the doctors are very happy with this because it gives his body as much recuperation power as possible so that he he can undergo a heart catheratization on Tuesday to evaluate his suitability to be heart recipient.

Thanks again for all the prayers, Thomas (FlaSh)

[steo]

The catheratization procedure is a piece of cake. I've had two. The second time my wife drove me home that night! I wanted to drive but she said I was crazy. She says that alot! She totally doesn't get my obsession with Morel hunting and now that I am looking for other mushrooms she says I've lost it. Please keep us posted as I may actually have some things from my operation experience to help you through.

[morelmaniac]

FlaSh,
Good to hear he got to rest! Now my family and I will pray that the cath evaluation will be good news (that he can and is a good heart recepetent) Things sure do sound tough over there, but keep God first, If life was easy, who would we believe in? God is good All The Time!

Your Friend,
MM

[Judy]

FlaSh, please add my prayers and best wishes to your family . Will be hoping for the very best on Tues. Keep us tuned in. Judy

[FlaShroomer]

Hello Prayer warriors,

Darren had his catheritization yesterday and they discovered that his lungs have been adversely effected by the many years of poor blood flow; to the point where a new heart couldn't take the strain of supplying lungs in this condition.

Everyone including the doctors are devestated and searching for answers. As some of you know, lung transplants are not nearly as successful as heart transplants and heart/lung transplants are rarely successfully coordinated and completed.

Please continue to pray that God's complete will will be done in this situation.

Thank you all, Thomas

[Happy Trails]

Thomas,

My heart and prayers are there for Darren and the rest of the family. The CEO for a company I was employed be for 27 years had a heart transplant over 7 years ago. He is still going strong. He received his new heart from a lady with lung cancer, who in turn received a heart/lung transplant from a car accident victim. I haven't heard in the last couple of years, but as far as I know she is still alive as well. There is always hope and miracles can happen. God speed.

George

[7707]

Thomas, Sorry to hear things are'nt getting better for darren and your family. WE must have faith in God in times like this and keep praying. God has a plan for all of us, although we may not understand it in times like this. My prayers are with you and your family that Darren pulls through this and lives a full life. Take care my friend. Steve

[FlaShroomer]

The prayers of the righteous saints are effective!

Some rays of hope are breaking through the darkness.

A lung-specialist has been called in who is on top of the latest Rx therapies and he told Darren today that he thinks there is a possibility that his lungs can be rahabilitated with medicines.

He was also visited by a young man who has undergone two lung transplant operations and he assured Darren that because of his overall good health that he could expect a good outcome if it comes to doing the heart-lung transplant operation.

Best of all, Darren's faith in Christ is carrying him wonderfully and he truely has 'the peace that passes all understanding.'

Thanks again for yor continued prayers and encouragements.

Thomas

[DGBAY]

FlaShroomer,
Good to hear that Darren's faith is strong; and the news about the possibility of medicines rehabilitating his lungs sounds encouraging. We'll just keep praying that the "rays of hope" keep getting brighter and brighter for Darren.

My continued prayers to all of you....

[Debbie]

Thomas,
I continue to hold Darren and your family in my prayers. I hope they will be able to treat him with meds succesfully. God's Peace be with you all.
Debbie

[Ohio Transplant]

"...Thus saith Jehovah, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee..."

II Kings 20:5

[morelmaniac]

FlaSh,
I can't find the words to say it, but want you to know that I am praying very hard for you and Darren and the rest of the family. I was devasted to know the bad news, but greatful to hear that medicince might be the anwser for the lungs. I am very glad to hear that Darren is remembering that God is in control and taking care of the situation. (A mans mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes him sure. Proverbs16:9) I will continue to pray daily for better and better results.
Your Friend,
MM

[FlaShroomer]

It was determined today that the amount of damage done to Darren's lungs was so severe that the chance of recovery was slim and would take longer than his heart is likely to hold out.

So he has been officially placed on the heart/lung waiting list. This is a very difficult thing to pray about because it obviously involves the death of another precious individual.

The only prayers I am comfortable with are that if death is going to happen, that the person know Christ as their savior and that their organs not be wasted.

This is probably a good time to make our loved ones aware of our wishes if we would want to be a donor if we have no chance of living.

Thanks again for all your prayers.

[morelmaniac]

FlaSh,
You are very right, difficult to pray for transplants that invole such organs. Although I will continue to pray that it happens "In His own time and in His own way" I put total trust in God for (my daughter) Brittaney during her trials with cancer, and now I put total trust and comfort for your family in God's hands!
Love in Christ for your family.
Regina

[shroom vaccuum]

Such a difficult situation! My heart goes out to all involved. Your family are all in my prayers.

[DGBAY]

I'm lost for words, Flashroomer...a situation like this really makes you think deep down about being a donor and giving life to someone else.

The emotions and anxiety of being on a "waiting list" have to be very overwhelming for all of you right now. But, God knows all, and He knows exactly where the perfect donor for Darren is...and I just pray that "God's will" is for Darren to receive the heart/lung.
May God reach down and surround you all with the comfort and peace that only "He" can give, and may the faith that Darren has keep him strong and fighting.

[FlaShroomer]

Dear prayer warriors,

Darren is really having a battle keeping any food down. The docs aren't sure if it is because of a low heart-output which decreases blood flow to the stomach or what. But they're giving him the maximum level of electrolytes they can to try to keep him strong, and this is hard for his stomach too.

Can't thank you enough for your prayers.

FlaSh

[Happy Trails]

Thomas,

Sorry to hear about the new fight Darren is having to keep food down. He and the rest of the family will continue to be in my prayers.

George

[shroom vaccuum]

Hope and pray for the best during this most difficult situation.

[Tracey]

Will keep Darren in our prayers. So sorry to hear of his difficult battles. Continued prayers for the family as well.

[Debbie]

Darren and family sure have their hands full. Will be glad to keep them all in my thoughts and prayers. Will you send them all our best please?

Debbie

[FlaShroomer]

They are very encouraged to know so many saints are praying for them.

I can't thank you enough. Thomas

[DGBAY]

Flashroomer,

My heart goes out for Darren & all of you as I continue to pray for a miracle, and for strength to be sent your way as you daily face the new challenges and fight the battles.

[Tammy]

Thomas,

Still praying for him...hopefully there won't be anymore roadblocks to deal with. Also adding him to our prayer chain...

Keep us posted.

[FlaShroomer]

Our prayers are being heard and answered!

Darren has been able to keep some food down for 2 days now.

This is great because he needs to be strong for the doctors to do the things they want to do.

Please keep his stomach covered in prayer as well as that his lungs would be rehabilitated so that only a heart transplant would be needed.

Thank you to the saints and Praise the Lord.

[lindamay]

Sending prayers also
Lindamay

[7707]

Thomas, sorry I have'nt replyed sooner to your request, but your family has been in my prayers right along. My PC crashed hard and it took days to fix it. A very small problem compared darrens fight for life, but Iam back on line. Take care my friend, Steve

[FlaShroomer]

I want to keep you wonderful saints updated so that you can pray for the specific current needs.

The good news is that Darren is now able to keep his food down more days than not.

Unfortunately, Sunday he had a small stroke. It was very frightening to a 21 year old to not be able to speak or write or otherwise communicate for several hours.

We really need for his lungs to be bathed in prayer for total healing so that they can plan for a heart-only transplant.

Thanks again for all the prayers and encouragement.

FlaSh

[Judy]

Will do. The best to all of you. Judy

[DGBAY]

Prayers for a complete healing for the lungs are being said as I type this post Will continue to pray for Darren and all the family.

[morelmaniac]

FlaSh,
I am praying that God shows Darren peace. That definetly would be scarry, being that young and haveing a stroke. I will pray that God helps his body to coroporate with what the docs are wanting him to do. Is Darren able to respond to you guys at this time? Let Darren know that there is lots of FRIENDS praying for him that he is able to pull through this more easily.
Your Friend,
MM

[FlaShroomer]

Darren is very involved in his care decisions and nothing is kept from him. Most of the time he is a lesson in courage.

He has gotten an infection and this is troublesome for several reasons. Please pray that the first medications they use to combat this are totally effective without causing other problems.

Thanks, Thomas

[steo]

I battled a bad infection during my heart surgery. I sincerely hope Darren is as lucky as I was. He should be a little stronger as I was in my mid thirties a few years ago when I had my surgery. Keep up the faith.

[morelmaniac]

Good to see that Darren is involved in his care so much. I am praying for the infection and that he will pull through this with flying colors. Is his wife holding up okay? Contiuned prayers for her as well as the rest of your family, May God bless you all!
MM

[FlaShroomer]

PRAISE REPORT!!!!!!

The infection has not shown up in the past two cultures and if it stays like this Darren will only need to have a two week period of medication instead of the 4-6 weeks first thought. PTL! And with clean cultures he can be on the 'ready-to-go' transplant list.

I took off yesterday and drove up to see them. Had a very sweet time of prayer and communion with Darren and Nichole.

God has answered our prayers for his stomach and the infection, so now we are all concentrating prayer on a total healing of his lungs.

Thank you for all your prayers.