August 12, 2016
DAY18
Billy came home today! He's resting comfortably in his sleep number bed! No matter how great your care is, home is the best place to recover.
August 10, 2016
DAY 16
What a great day! Billy now has no breathing tubes of any kind in him! He had his first coke (couldn't find a Pepsi in the whole hospital) and just a bite of a donut to make him happy. No more feeding tube, and trach is healing nicely. Although air does escape through the hole sometimes, he good naturedly calls himself a squeaky toy! He has a new room with a private bath and shower and he can walk to it on his own. His room is right across from the nurses station where we were informed they put the rascals! The nurses are great to him and they help him to keep his spirits up. We cannot thanks all of you who have gone through this journey with us enough. There is no greater feeling than knowing people care. Billy still has a long road ahead, but it's great knowing he has so much love in his life.
August 9, 2016
DAY 15
We just received great news from the doctor. They say Billy will be in a room tomorrow without the feeding tube so he'll be able to eat. By the weekend he should be able to come home.
August 8, 2016
DAY 14
Billy is getting more spunky every day. I asked him if it was as bad as he thought it was going to be before surgery. He told me he was having good days and bad days. He said today was a good day. He shaved today, went for a couple walks, put on his big boy pants himself ( they finally gave him pants) and his Cubs won. Tomorrow he may even get a Pepsi. Life is good.
August 7, 2016
DAY 13
It is just such a miracle to see Billy's progress in the past 13 days. He's worked hard to get where he is, but everyone's kind thoughts, wishes, and prayers has also played such an important role and we, his family, thank each and every one of you for being there for him.
August 6, 2016
DAY 12
Billy had a rough night last night. He had the nurse from hell. As a result, he said he was having a bad day today. He was discouraged and didn't, at first, want to do as much as he usually does. But he surprised everyone. He walked 250 feet today, not once, but twice. At the end of the day, the charge nurse came in and talked to Billy. She was very concerned and reassured Billy that he would not have that nurse again.
August 5, 2016
DAY 11
Today they took Billy completely off the ventilator but he is still getting some assistance with oxygen. He still has in the Trach so he still can't talk but he's able to write what he wants to say. He looks great!
Yay, Billy walk 205 feet today! The PT and OT staff are really impressed with his progress.¿
August 4, 2016
DAY 10
Billy had a great day today. He took 90 steps, and all the tubes except for the trach are out of his neck. He's making great progress and smiling too!
August 2, 2016
DAY 9
Billy had another good day. He spent a good part of the day breathing on his own. They took a couple more tubes out of him. He worked really hard with OT and PT and the respiratory team. Getting stronger every day!¿
August 2, 2016
DAY 8
One of his nurses is Anna, she said Billy holds a special place in her heart. I think she holds a special place in his too! These nurses are right on top of his care and we couldn't ask for a more compassionate staff to put the life of our brothers hands in.
August 1, 2016
DAY 7
Today was the best I've seen Billy since his surgery. He did his exercises for the nurse and followed their instructions very well. He opened his eyes and acknowledged every question that was asked of him. Earlier today he was sitting in a chair and he took two shuffle steps back to the bed with a little help from the nurses but they were very pleased that he actually stood up on his own and walked. He is definitely on the road to recovery now. We feel very blessed.
July 30, 2016
DAY 6
Billy had a tracheotomy yesterday. They are no longer sedating him and reduced his painkiller therefore he is more alert but in more pain. They found a blood clot in his neck where the ECMO machine tubing was located. They now need to put him on blood thinners. They say these things are not uncommon for lung transplant patients.
Today he is much better. He's focusing and correctly responding to most questions. Since he's more alert and not trying to pull out his tubes they were able to take off the mittens! (yeah) They are planning to sit him up in a chair soon. :)
Please keep him in your prayers.
July 29, 2016
DAY 4
Just an update on Billy. He came through the surgery great. The doctors were very pleased with how things went. That was 4 days ago. Today he still has not regained total conciousness and when they try to reduce his sedatives he becomes agitated and tries to rip out his tubes. He does not focus on anything or follow any commands at this time and has to be put back under sedation.The doctors have run tests and say they came back fine, but are still concerned with his progress. Please keep your prayers coming, we love him so much.
July 28, 2016
DAY 3
When the pain killer or sedation wears off, he struggles to free his arms and he tries to move his face back-and-forth to get rid of the breathing tube. He opened his eyes a few times but he does not seem to focus. Not sure he recognized us. He was not responding to commands today. They did tell us not to worry because many of these problems were normal.
The breathing tube is not going to come out today. Hopefully tomorrow. His ammonia levels are high and They think it may be caused from a bug. It is something that they can treat. We will find out more tomorrow. They just want him to rest tonight.
July 26, 2016
DAY 2
We just left Billy's hospital room he's doing really well. They took one of the life-support machines off him today and tomorrow they plan on taking out the breathing tube. He looks good. The doctor says he'll be taking his new lungs out for a stroll very soon.
July 25, 2016
DAY 1
Billy Stauffer came out of surgery this morning and the doctors said he's doing great. Thank you for all your prayers!
July 25, 2016
Evening surgery started
They just came to take Billy down to surgery many prayers please, he's very afraid but putting on a good front.
July 24, 2016
Sunday 7/24 1:30pm
Billy Stauffer HAS A DONOR!! Surgery is tonight!! PLEASE, SAY PRAYERS. He is very scared
July 24, 2016
Billy's thoughts:
Every morning now they come in they say today could be your day. We'll let you know if lungs become available for you. I have to admit I'm scared to death but when I go into surgery I only think to myself if I die before I wake I pray to God my soul to take.
July 18, 2016
My great niece Savannah came to see me today. She's 4 years old and made a wish for me at a fountain at the Premium Outlet Mall in Aurora. She threw her penny in and wished her Uncle Billy didn't have to wear his mask anymore. Love you Savannah
July 16, 2016
They're going to put those tubes back into my neck and groin, it's not fair. I'd rather have Guido break both my knee caps! It's the most painful thing I've ever been through.
July 8, 2016
Our brother Billy has been waiting for over a year to get on a lung transplant list and it has finally happened! He lives with his sisters Carolyn and Pam who take great care of him. He also has a brother Raymond and sister Lynda who will be helping with his recovery and hospital visits. His daughter Stephanie lives close and is with him on a regular basis and will also be there for him to help with his recovery.This fundraiser will help us with gas, parking, hotel costs and anything medical that Billy's insurance won't cover. It would be a great help to our family if you could donate any amount. This will be a long journey for our whole family. Thank you for helping us through it.
