*****UPDATE*****
We are pleased to share our news that Albert received his Gift of Life – his heart and kidney transplant – on Friday, April 26th! Thank you all for your support of our continued need to fundraise. See bottom of page for updates.
~ Albert Jr. and Family
*****UPDATE*****
Dear Family and Friends,
We are writing to thank you for your continued prayers and support for our dad, Albert Dutra, Sr. as he continues to face many health battles. In 2007, Dad began to experience increased difficulty catching his breath resulting in multiple hospitalizations. A surgically implanted pacemaker regulated his heart for almost three years but by September of 2012, we all felt he was again showing signs of low energy and difficulty with day to day chores and conversation. After months of testing, doctors diagnosed him with congestive heart failure and it was decided that he would need a new heart. An LVAD now mechanically keeps his heart pumping as he awaits a heart and kidney transplant, his only chance for survival.
Dad is an outgoing, enthusiastic man who loves his family and friends, and his ’65 Chevelle. Taking road trips and showing his car are two of his most favorite pastimes. Dad is also a fighter! Battling illness is not new to Dad. In 1997 he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, went into remission after chemotherapy only for the disease to return in 1999. But he soldiered on and after a bone marrow transplant and months of chemotherapy he was cured! We were so happy to celebrate his 12 year remission this August 2012.
Dad has been disabled and unable to work since 2007. The lack of his income has been difficult for our parents. Since his treatment began, our mom stopped working to be caregiver to dad. She has had to rent an apartment in Palo Alto to be near him, and the cost of keeping a home in two places without sufficient income is proving to be a challenge we cannot face alone. The cost of the transplant surgery itself is staggering. The cost of survival is even more expensive. Post-transplant medications alone will be close to $3,000 a month initially, and will remain costly for the rest of our dad’s life. Our family is in need of your help!
Due to the astronomical expenses associated with transplantation, a fundraising campaign in dad’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southwest Heart / Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation today.Thank you for your consideration in our desperate attempt to give our dad more time here with his wife, kids, and grandkids. Our family thanks you for your generosity, support and prayers.
Albert Dutra, Jr. and Amanda Dutra-Avila (209-585-8020)
Updates (13)
June 30, 2013
Post Transplant - 2 Months...
We are now two months out since the heart and kidney transplant. We've had a few bumps in the road but we have had no major setbacks. He is slowly getting his strength back, but still unable to be home with his loved ones, which is hard. We thank all of you for your continued love & support. We are looking forward to the day they tell us we can go home. God Bless!
May 7, 2013
Post Transplant Day 11 - Amazing!
All is going very well!
Remaining IV's were removed over the weekend. Up and walking around. Looking GREAT!
If things continue as they are, he should be out of the hospital this week, back into the half-way apartment!!
Thanks for all the love and support. Still a long road ahead, but having people around you that support you makes a HUGE difference.
REMINDER: There is a Blood Drive from Delta Blood bank being held at the Denair High School Gym between 3 and 7pm on Monday May 20th. Hope to see you there!!
April 28, 2013
Update 4/27 - all is well so far!
Surgery went VERY well they said!! Off the ventilator now and breathing on his own. Awake and talking too just really edgy from all the drugs and steroids. Kidneys are doing excellent as well.
God is good! Thanks for all the prayers and while its a long road ahead dad is a fighter and never gives up,!!
April 27, 2013
Update 4/26 - the big day...
Great news today... Got the call there is a match for a heart and kidney!!! They took him at about 11 am. He's in surgery now. They have to remove the LVAD, swap the hearts and if everything is stable, then they'll do the kidney.
Such an emotional roller coaster today. Happy but terrified. Keep the prayers. Will update later when he comes out of the surgery. Fingers crossed!!!
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April 19, 2013
Update 4/19/2013
Dad is in stable condition at this time. His blood levels have been stable as well (GREAT NEWS!!). No new blood in the last day and a half or so. So they think the combo of med adjustments, reducing the blood thinner, lowering the LVAD device all helped give his body a little more time to heal internally and stop some of the bleeding.
They're slowing upping the dose the blood thinner (a requirement with the LVAD) and monitoring him. With any luck he'll be out of the hospital sometime in the next couple days and back to the recovery apartment!!
Then, we wait for a Heart and Kidney to become available for the BIG DAY.
Thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, wishes, donations, etc.
with Love,
The Dutra Family.
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April 15, 2013
Update 2: 4/15/2013
Big news just now.. Dads officially on the heart transplant list. Level 1A (most critical). The next heart and kidney fitting his match will be his. While this is a blessing, that they feel he is strong enough to endure such a drastic surgery, it's very scary as well. They feel it will be 'very soon' that this will all happen. The LVAD device is causing him to bleed internally through the walls of his stomach & intestines. So they want to move forward as quick as possible with the LVAD removal and new heart. (12+ Pints of blood the past week). We thought the LVAD was a difficult road, this one is much longer and tougher. Please keep dad and mom in your thoughts and prayers. It's been a very rough emotional and physical road they've been on, and now a whole new one starts.
April 29, 2013
Post Transplant Day 3
All is continuing to go well! No blood transfusions, no complications. Doctors are very impressed with his results thus far. Kidneys are doing well also. Said continued on this path he should be out of ICU and down to "step down ICU" around the weekend. Starting physical therapy today. Likely attempt to have him take a few steps.
A few important things:
1. For those of you interested in sending get well cards you Can send them to this address: 555 west Middlefield Rd, apartment N301. Mountain view, CA 94043.
2. For those interested in donating blood, a blood drive will be held on May 20th from 3pm to 7pm at Denair high school gym.
Please say a prayer for his continued recovery. It's a long road ahead. One of his goals is to make it to Hot August Nights this year! Also say a prayer to the family who lost their young loved one. We will be forever grateful for this family giving us this opportunity.
With love,
Albert Jr, and the rest of the Dutra family.
April 15, 2013
Update 4/15/2013
Dad is still in the Hospital. His blood levels continue to drop each day. In the past week, he's taken over 12 pints of blood. Looks like the LVAD is pumping too much blood for his body to handle. The walls of his stomach and intestines are so thin from this change, that its just oozing blood from anything that touches the walls.
The plan? They are changing some meds to try and get the blood to clot better and plug up the holes, but its a risky change. They are trying to get him stable so they can get the heart transplant ASAP.
The Dr is meeting with the Heart Transplant team today to see how soon they can move forward with placing him on the Heart Transplant list with his current condition. They WANT him to be on there "today" (ASAP), but may have to wait until the bleeding is more under control.
This also means that if they ARE able to get him on the list, there's a WHOLE lot more expenses to cover. Increased stay in the hospital, much more meds, etc.
On a good note, yesterday was his birthday! He got to spend the whole day with his kids and grand-kids (they let us ALL in the room! Awesome!).
We aren't sure if they'll get things under control enough to be back out of the hospital before the transplant, or even perhaps the Apartment.
March 29, 2013
Back in the Hospital.. 03/29/13
Well the stay at the "half way apartment" was short lived. Dad's back in the hospital today. We noticed he wasn't acting normal. Almost as if he was hallucinating or seeing things. Carrying on a conversation was OK, but making decisions were a difficult task.
Mom took him to the ER last night, where they ran CT Scans, XRays, EKG's and then today an EEG as well. Still awaiting some of the results. Some of they Psychiatric team came in to evaluate him as well. He had a real tough time doing minimal tasks (drawing simple things).
They are leaning towards some sort of side effect, or withdrawal or something relating to the meds he is on. But its not for sure yet, and their still running tests to make sure its not actually brain related (boy we sure hope not!!!).
We were planning on taking the kids up to see them tomorrow at the apartment, but unfortunately that wont happen this week. :(
Albert
March 25, 2013
Phase 2 - The Half Way Apartment - 03/25/13
Dad's progressing well! He's gaining more and more strength by the day (took multiple laps around nurses station over the weekend). Got to go outside for a few minutes on Saturday on his way back from X-Rays.
Today is a big day! They feel he is ready to move on to the next stage of his recovery. The "Half Way" apartment. Him and my Mom will have to now rent and stay in an apartment not too far from the hospital where she will give him 24/7 care and attention. All the while running back and forth between doctor visits.
This is a big step. Out of the watchful eye of the nurses, fancy monitoring devices, etc. He'll be "out in the real world" so to speak, now. He'll be equipped with a bunch of new devices to keep his LVAD running 24/7.
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March 21, 2013
Step-Down ICU - Take 2 - 3/18/2013
Had a good day and a half in ICU. Starting to get appetite back. Getting a little more energy. Talking quite a bit more (that's a HUGE sign he feels better!!!)
Moved him back down to Step-Down ICU. All good thus far!
March 20, 2013
Step-Down ICU - Take 1 - 3/16/2013
On Friday evening, March 15th Albert was moved down to the "Step Down" ICU.
He had been in isolation in the ICU department after getting a bacteria infection from all the antibiotics. Visitors were required to wear gowns to see him.
The night went well. Albert and Mandie stayed late to visit with him since he was feeling a little better and able to talk some more than he had been able to.
The next morning didn't go quite as expected. Mom and Mandie walked in his room and he was sitting in the chair, head back, unresponsive. They paged over the loudspeaker. Scared to death we waiting to see what was going on. Everyone from all over the hospital came rushing to his room. Within minutes there were 20-25 people surrounding him and his room.
After further evaluation, it looks like due to a combination of things, he had fainted in the chair. According to the doc, due to some of the chemo meds he had in the past that slowed his blood vessels reaction time, and the now constant blood movement from the LVAD, he just couldn't handle the movement. Back to ICU he went, so they could be more 1 on 1 with him.
Doc said it wasn't a step backwards, but they wanted to be more "on top" of him. Still not eating much at all.
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March 20, 2013
LVAD Surgery - 3/6/13
On March 6th, Albert was rushed in for the LVAD Surgery. After a number of hours they came out to the waiting room and said the surgery went very well. But they were VERY concerned about his kidneys and the possibility of the right side of the heart failing, which if that happened there wasn't much else they could do. The next 12-24 hours were a critical stage for him.
He was awoken the next morning, heart doing well, kidneys still questionable. They put him on a Catheter and let him slowly recover.
After a number of blood transfusions, and doctors in and out, they finally got him stable and was doing well. Kidneys were producing and creatinine levels were dropping. A good sign.
The next few days would prove to be quite a challenge for him in the ICU.
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Photo Galleries (3)
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Guestbook
June 30, 2013
Thank you all for your love & support! God Bless!!
Connie
June 7, 2013
Prayers going out for you.
Jason Keith Smith
May 24, 2013
Hi Albert and Connie,
Glad everything is going well. What a miracle!
A blessing from the Lord.
Everyone at Emanuel are praying for you.
Mary Packer Turlock
April 30, 2013
Babe, again you amaze everyone with your strength and will to live! I am so thankful for all the answered prayers. God knew I and your kids still need you in our lives to make many more memories! I look forward to all the years we have left to make those memories. I love you more than words could ever say! You are my love, my best friend!!
Love, your honey
April 29, 2013
I'm glad things are looking up for you and that you're doing better.Tina and I have been praying for you everyday.
Donald love
April 29, 2013
Oh my big Bubby Albert,
I am so thankful that the Lord knows best and knew that He had a beautiful heart and kidney coming to you and that is why He kept you there. You have and will always be my hero, my inspiration,the strongest, determined and the best big brother in the whole wide world that I could ever want but mostly you are my precious miracle and the greatest gift from our Lord and Savior! I am so glad that God chose you to be my big brother and we know He is perfect and always does what is best for us! You have gone through some very tough times but you have some of the best times to come! I love you more than you will ever know! My prayer for you is that the Lord will continue to heal your body and give you strength so you can come home and make it to Hot August Nights! Take care of yourself and I will see you soon!
I love you,
Dorothy
Dorothy Shuping, Denair, CA
April 28, 2013
Albert I've said this before an I will say it again you are an amazing man! God knew over 20 years ago where we would be today. You an your family have been very dear to my heart. Mike had good taste in friends an not many of them I've stayed in contact with since his passing in 2009. Even tho I don't see you an your family very often I feel a connection there! Keeping you in my prayers, you an your wonderful family! Love ya
Shirley Robbins / Delhi, Ca.
March 26, 2013
Big Albert , you have been a big part of my life since I was 16 and for many more years from now you'r my First born Son Ace's grandpa he absolutely looks up to you and loves you so much I think about all of you and all you guys have over come and you will make it through this i i pray everyday that you get better real soon !! carshow season is right around the corner :) lots of love xoxo
Kristen Dutra. Denair ca
March 25, 2013
Keeping you in my prayers!
Susan Blevins Hunsaker-Xenia, OH
March 24, 2013
Albert, you were the first man in my life that taught me how to love. You took care of me when I was a little girl and you played with me, read stories to me, as I grew I was your shadow and you let me help you work on cars and hang out with you and all your cool friends. You introduced me to great music too! You were the man (my big brother)that I wanted to be with when something great or horrible happened in my life. You were always my security, comfort and gave great advice! I so miss those days and cherish those precious memories. I am so glad that you stayed that wonderful man and became such a great amazing dad and you have shown your children what is is like to be a loving, caring parent. It has been really tough not being able to spend time with you, I do pray for you all the time. I know that our Lord is in control and I trust Him in doing what He needs to do to get you better and home to be back with your family. God has answered so many of our prayers and you are a walking talking miracle of His! I am so blessed to be your sister and I love you very much! I may not be there physically like I would like to, but I am there with you spiritually! I love to get the text messages daily of how you are doing, it makes my heart smile and I usually cry some happy tears! I love the pictures too! I am so proud to be your sister. I love you and hurry home!
Dorothy Dutra Shuping, Denair, CA
March 22, 2013
Dear Mr. Dutra,
I wanted you to know that you and your family continue to be in mine and David's prayers. We are so sorry that you have to go through all of this. It's a blessing that there is a way for you to get the help you need to get better. We admire your son very much and want you to know that he is an example of hard work, a motivation to those he works with, takes his work very seriously and is very appreciated by us. He is dependable and loves his family very much. Good job in raising such a fine young man.
Blessings to you and your family and hope that you will continue to imporove.
Sincerely,
Dianne Kroutil
Dianne Kroutil Turlock, CA
March 22, 2013
hi Albert this is Tina. I have seen you many times at the family gatherings at your mother's house I have been friends with your sister for over 30 years. I wish you all of Godspeed for a fast recovery and for strength to get through all the days to come.
Tina Love
March 22, 2013
Dad,
You are so amazing. You are an inspiration to me. I hope that Josh see's Jeff and I as parents and he's even just has half as grateful as I am to have had you and mom in my life. I was not quite old enough to realize the depth of what was going on when you were first diagnosed with the cancer. I only knew that it was awful and I was terrified of losing you. The second time around, I was even more fearful. I was so happy over the last 12 years when August 25 would come around and I could say, "Yay! Another year after stem cell transplant and dad is healthy!" In 2007, when you first became ill with CHF, once again I was afraid. This time, though, I had the mindset that God was in control. Throughout this whole battle, I know that God is using this horrible experience to transform us as a family, and mold us into what he wants us to become. Out of this, our family has grown stronger, we've become more faithful and reliant upon him, and we have an unbreakable bond that some families never experience. For that, I am thankful. I am so thankful that I have a dad (and a mom) who has never given up on life and happiness. Through all of the struggles, you never put yourself ahead of all of us, even when you should have. You are always the first (when you're feeling well enough) to offer a hand of support. We are so, SO blessed to be able to call you dad. I am looking forward to your return home so I can come over and see you more often. I'm looking forward to Josh getting to play with you in the years to come. You're a rock, Dad. Please remember, we CAN do all things... ALL things so long as we rely on Christ to give us strength. Please, please remember that even through the tears of pain and doubt. We are in His hands.
Your daughter, Mandie Denair, CA
March 21, 2013
Keep up the good work. Love you
Vicki
March 21, 2013
I love this guy with all my heart! I am so grateful for all the prayers, love & support everyone has given our family!! It's been rough watching him go through so much but I'd do anything for him! Each day he gets a little stronger. Thank you all!! God Bless!
Connie, Denair, Ca
March 21, 2013
We have you in our prayers and on our minds frequently! We just truly wish you and the whole family peace through out this whole ordeal. God totally has this under control, His plan is perfect even if we feel it is tough. The proof of a great dad is also reflected in his family/children, you must be awesome just because we know how lucky we are to have Mandy and Jeff as our neighbors... that is your influence shining through. Take Care and we will be looking forward to seeing you and hearing that power packed engine of you fancy car pulling up next door!
The Lowery Family (Mandy's next door neighbors)
March 21, 2013
We are praying for you. We wish you the best.
Tabytha, Jim and Liam Martin, Turlock
March 21, 2013
Hey Buddy, you are amazing! I love you and as always, keep you in prayer for a continuous steady recovery. You and Connie are two if the most loving and caring people in this world. I am sorry that you are going through this. It goes without saying, you have two awesome kids that love and would do anything for you guys. I know you are proud, as am I, of the adults they have become. GOD is good and he WILL see us through this. I love you!
Cindy Salazar / Denair
March 21, 2013
Dad, your an inspiration to all of us. An example of what a real man and father is. Strong as ever, never gives up, loves unconditionally.
Love you dad.
Albert Jr
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Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Albert Dutra Sr.
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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