Family and friends of Rick Geiss are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with an upcoming double lung transplant and bypass surgery in 2024, schedules and dates are still being determined as we continue to prep Rick for this life changing surgery.

May 15, 2024

Hello Everyone!

While we continue to fundraise for Help Hope Live in Rick’s honor to cover medical expenses that insurance doesn’t cover, I wanted to give an update on his status. As a family (immediate and extended) we have seen an outpouring of love and support and many inquiries as to how Rick is doing. As you can imagine, this life changing surgery takes a lot of preparation, not only medically, but physically, mentally and emotionally.

Ricky has faced so much in his 42 years, and we all know he doesn’t back down from a fight, even when it’s a fight to keep his body from fighting itself. Here is the current rundown of his status, progress and outlook:

Rick currently has only 15% lung capacity, which can make everyday life difficult, the simple things like stairs and walking, literally take his breath away, additionally he has calcium build up in the main artery of his heart which adds to the stress on his lungs. At the last round of appointments that he, Krystal and Liz went to at UW Heath Transplant clinic, it was recommended that Rick be put on oxygen during rest times and while exerting what energy he has until the transplant surgery. The small tank he carries now aids in giving his lungs a literal “breath of fresh air”.

Also, during that day of appointments, Rick was commended by his team lead Dr Lowry and his transplant coordinator Christina for his tenacity to complete all the many tasks they have given him. He keeps a food journal, he works out regularly, he has mental health specialists helping him prepare for anything that might happen as well as a full team to help him navigate the ins and outs of health insurance and getting his life organized so that his support team can take over when he can’t.

The big news is that he has gained 18 lbs., pushing his BMI to target range for the transplant, he has gained muscle mass and doesn’t need a belt to hold his pants up anymore! (Sorry Rick, had to share!). We also received news that in prep for the surgery Rick will have a feeding tube so that during the time he is in the hospital and the weeks after, he will maintain his weight and the nutrients needed for a speedy recovery. We are waiting on a timeline for this outpatient surgery.

His medical team also challenged Rick during that April appointment to try to balance his work/life responsibilities so that he can start to be on a regular schedule of meds, sleep and less stress on his body. If you know Rick, he loves his job, shows up every day but it is a demanding physical job which he has realized that he can’t always keep up with his current physical health. He worked with his employer to shape his role with the company to fit his physical needs until he undergoes surgery. As a family, and I will include his medical team in this response, we can’t thank Jim & Tim at Secure Fire & Safety enough for their unending support of Rick during this time, and their willingness to be flexible to help Rick be able to continue to work in ways that fit his schedule and his prep for the journey he is about to go on.

And while Rick has been working really hard at getting himself ready for the surgery, he has also taken the time that has been encouraged by his medical team to do the things he loves the most now as he will have 6 – 12 months of recovery time that he will be busy healing and getting stronger, but unable to travel, golf, work and volunteer with the Randall Fire department and Kenosha County fair.

Our next “Rally Day” of appointments in Madison with his mom Sue and sister Liz is early June. Where we are eager to learn of the final Committee approval on being 100% listed for transplant, it is important to note that Rick determines his actual listing date with his medical team to ensure he is 100% mentally, emotionally and physically and financially prepared for this. The current wait times for patients with Rick’s blood type and his current health state is 8 – 10 days. We are hopeful that he will be listed sooner rather than later however he is hopeful to attend the 9 Hole Scramble golf event in his honor on June 22nd at Ives Grove golf links.

We have a request for recommendation:

We are looking for a local company that cleans air ducts. We have a medical letter requiring that the air ducts in Rick & Krystal’s home be cleaned prior to him returning home after the surgery, which is logical ask in any situation where the air you breathe to heal your new lungs needs to be as clean as possible. If you know of any local companies or individuals who do this type of service, we are looking for quotes. This is one of those medically required yet not covered by insurance costs that we are fundraising for.

Current Fundraising efforts:

Virtual Pampered Chef Party May 19th – May 24th

- Reach out to any of Ricks family to get a Facebook invite or a link to order from the event

9 Hole Golf Scramble on June 22nd at 2pm, includes golf, dinner, raffles and a LOT of Prizes and fun ways to support the cause.

- Reach out to Kay Dawson or Liz Geiss to register, donate or find out how you can donate your time the day of to help execute the event!

As always, thank you for the continued support and prayers that Rick has received. Actions always speak louder than words and Rick’s community has really come out to show him he is loved and we will get through this together!

Sincerely,

Liz (Ricky’s sister)

January 18, 2024

Yesterday, January 16th, Rick, Krystal and Liz spent the morning (6am - 12noon) at the UW Madison hospital & transplant clinic. This was an 8 week follow up from the November evaluation week and the transplant committee's recommendation to approve Rick as a candidate for the lung transplant and bypass surgeries.

Coming out of the recommendation Rick was given an extensive checklist of tasks, appointments, lifestyle changes and new medications that he needed to embark on to continue as a candidate.

Including but not limited to keeping a food and exercise journal, gain weight with a nutrient rich diet, get vaccinations for hep A, shingles and more, get a Colonoscopy and have his Oncologist clear him of any chance of cancer being a factor.

Yesterday, his team was impressed on many levels with his progress as a transplant candidate. He is gaining about a pound a week, his food and exercise journal is filling up, the medical checklist is almost complete and while his oncologist doesn't see any chance of cancer returning he will have a bone marrow aspiration done next week.

Rick's next check in will be a video appointment in March with his transplant coordinator and team lead. We will return to Madison for a full check in and eval (like yesterday) in April. At which time we will be discussing the timing that Rick will officially be listed on the transplant list.

Once he is listed, it can be as soon as 10 days up to 3-4 weeks until he receives his lung transplant and bypass operation. Because of his blood type the transplant timing has a faster expectancy and the UW Hospital clinic has a faster turnaround than other hospitals in the region and nation.

Many thanks to everyone who has and is supporting Rick through this process, he needs to continue to gain weight and muscle mass, keep his journal updated and stay vigilant on staying on track with meds and appointments.

While he is doing all he can, his support team will continue to work to raise funds for HelpHopeLive to offset all expenses not covered by insurance and support Rick in any way needed.

Please reach out with questions or if you want to help with any fundraisers or support for Rick.