November 8, 2018
We're going home!!! November 12th is D-day. It has been almost 6 months of ICU, hospital, and rehab. It is time for Lawrence to go home. It will be difficult but we are praying for a miracle as he still does not have the use of his right arm and leg.
We have purchased a transport wheelchair van, a wheelchair lift, a scooter, a hospital bed and expecting Medicare to supply a commode, wheelchair and a transfer board (so I can get him from the wheelchair to bed and back. We were hoping to raise enough money to accommodate our expenses but sadly it did not happen. All these items cost over $10,000 and that is a great deal. And of course, there is the expense of registering the vehicle and 15-20 medications he will need on a monthly basis. I have taken out a loan to supply all his needs. I am trusting God to provide the means to pay it back with interest. Thank you to all your donations and prayers. He still has a long way to go, but with your prayers and God's help he will improve over time. We are keeping a positive attitude and holding God's promise in our hearts.
October 24, 2018
We are raising money to bring Lawrence home. He is on the final stretch of his rehab and in need of a wheelchair ramp and a bathroom remodel. We will have to remove our bathtub/shower combination and replace it with a walk-in shower. Also, the commode will have to be moved and add tile flooring for water protection.
Donations right now are slim and I am in the process of collecting estimates from professionals. This is going to be expensive but necessary to bring him home.
We are also looking into used vans with a wheelchair lift because the therapists told me I have to buy a different car if I want him to come home. Time is short and we could really use your help. Thank you for caring and being a part of our story. We love you all.
October 24, 2018
Lawrence is back at Shand's Rehab. He is doing great! Working hard on strengthening his core muscles and left side to make transferring from the wheelchair to the bed, chair, etc. an easy movement. His speech has improved and memory is coming back a little at a time.
Please keep the prayers and cards coming. Send cards to "Shand's Rehab Hospital, 4101 NW 89 Blvd., Gainesville 32606, Room #1910. Love to all.
October 3, 2018
We (me and transplant team) are working on getting Lawrence admitted into Health South for more aggressive rehab. He desperately wants to be home for the holidays. Please pray for acceptance into this facility and more money to meet his Out-of-Pocket ($4667) expenses. Please donate. We still have ramps to build, and convert the bathroom so we can have a walk in shower.
Love you all for donating and your prayers. THey are working!
October 2, 2018
Lawrence is working hard at Cyprus Cove Care Center. His eating has improved. There is little movement on his right side but the wheelchair is becoming his best friend. He moves around using his left arm and leg and makes frequent visits to the gazebo in the courtyard. We are working on moving him to another facility with more aggressive rehab. He is ready to kick butt. We want to have him home by the holidays. There will be a lot of adjustments to our home to accommodate his needs. A ramp, a walk in shower, hospital bed and lift, to name a few. And of course a wheelchair to allow him some independence. With your help, we will get there. Thank you for all your prayers and continued support. We love you all.
September 23, 2018
Lawrence is now at Cyprus Cove in Crystal River. Rehab here is kind of a joke. The only piece of equipment is a bike type peddling machine which residence stand in line to use. I don't feel he has made any gains since his arrival.
September 15, 2018
Well, we were ready to go to Cypress Cove Care Center on September 12th, but we ended up back in the hospital instead. The result of an ultrasound he had on September 7th, reveled narrowing of three arteries. So, Lawrence had an angioplasty on September 12th instead of moving to the new rehab center. He will be released on Monday September 17th if all goes well.
September 2, 2018
Thank you all for following Lawrence's progress. He is getting stronger everyday. Lawrence has made friends with all this therapists. They are his best "bud's". He works hard in all his therapy sessions. Physical Therapy (Jen) works on standing and walking; Occupational Therapy (Kristen): extending his right arm and balance, and Speech Therapy (Meagan) on memory and cognition. Lawrence is usually exhausted after each one hour session. Eating on his own with the use of his left hand is difficult but he is learning to cope. He should be release from Shand's critical care Rehab to non-critical care rehab center called Terrace Health and Rehab Center in Gainesville on Spetember 12th. We are hoping the insurance company will let him stay a few more weeks at Shand's. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We thank you all very much.
August 5, 2018
Lawrence has finally been released from Shand's Hospital to Shand's Rehab Hospital. They are evaluating him this week and will let me know how long his expected stay will be. He had physical therapy last Friday. They are working on standing (difficult since he has no muscle in the left leg and no feeling in the right. His schedule will include three hours a day of speech, physical, and personal care therapy. The Doctors have not decided what to do with his right arm which causes him an extreme amount of pain. That will also be decided this week. I will update pictures to show progress as he continues the challenge of his life.
July 12, 2018
Our oldest daughter, Heather came to visit from Texas and brought two of the grandchildren. Lawrence was happy to see familiar faces. He is still in ICU. We thank you all for your continued prayers and donations. The trach has been removed and is healing. Still no movement on his right side (arm and leg). His transplant doctors are preparing him to be transferred to the long term nursing care ward inside Shand's Hospital at the end of July. His current condition does not qualify him for Shand's Rehab. Physical Therapy is working with Lawrence to help him regain strength in his total core and head muscles. He has a long way to go to recovery... your support is critical. We pray he will walk out of the hospital standing tall. Please stand with us on our journey. We are looking at a stay of 6 to 12 months.
June 21, 2018
I am sorry to report that Lawrence is still in ICU. He has had too many procedures to list. Last night the Doctors ordered another MRI. The CT Scan showed an unidentified dark spot on the left side of the brain. His right arm and leg are not functional, but he can wiggle his toes. He is in a conscious state of sleep and has a difficult time opening his eyes. Yesterday the doctors removed 1 quart of fluid from one lung. Due to low white blood count and high heart rate the other lung will be drained at a later date.
Lawrence faces daily battles, but we have great hope that the Lord will show his mercy and goodness. The family appreciates your prayers and donations. I read your comments to him daily. It is so wonderful to have great family and friends.
June 8, 2018
I would like to thank you all for your prayers and support in these trying times. Yesterday the Doctors did a tracheotomy on Lawrence and took out the breathing tube. He is still paralyzed on his right side. We are hopeful that this is temporary. He now has phneumonia in one of his lungs. Shands is working on housing for me to be closer to the hospital. Your notes are incouraging and your support would be a life saver. God bless you all.
June 6, 2018
Yesterday Lawrence had a minor stroke. His right arm and leg are not functioning at this time. He is on a ventilator for the next 24 hours. Doctors recognize that Lawrence is having a hard time accepting anti-rejection drugs. The left side of his brain is swollen. Please keep us in your prayers. The doctors are now saying 1 month or more in ICU and 1-3 months in recovery. The Transplant team would like me to stay close to the hospital in case of emergency. Due to Lawrence's condition I have to sign procedure releases. This requires funds for housing. The Transplant Team Social Worker is working on accomadations, but they could be up to $65 a day.
June 5, 2018
We were just informed that our Insurance will reach the "donut hole" soon. This is when the Insurance Company will stop paying the bills. We will have to cover the cost until the catastrophe clause kicks in. Medications already total $700 a month. The Transplant Team has informed us that anti-rejection drugs are expensive and usually total between $2000-5000 to stay alive and keep the liver functioning. The family is in need of funds to cover the "donut hole" and keep a functioning liver.
June 5, 2018
Lawrence is at UF Shands Hospital in Gainesville,FL. He had a liver transplant on Memorial Day, May 28, 2018. He has had quite a rough time in the ICU. Three seizures, due to anti- rejection medications, have set him back in his recovery. The doctors expect him to be in the ICU for at least a month and recovery for another month. Your prayers and donations are appreciated.
