June 9, 2015
It has been a while since I have been able to update. I apologize for that. Life has been a bit crazy........
April 24th Bob got the call that he was next on the list to get a heart. April 26th he was taken to Presby ER for a GI bleed. They admitted him and did some testing to try to find what was going on. April 29th he was moved to the CTICU as he could not keep food down and was in a ton of pain. April 30th they had to remove his gall bladder which had basically collapsed. Very invasive operation. May 6th he had to have another procedure from a complication from the surgery. Having the gall bladder removed also put him out of the running for a heart until he gets stronger. May 19th he moved to Montefiore for rehab. May 26th he came home. May 28th I called 911.......his internal defibrillator shocked him 4 times. He was admitted again. He had some complications and has had a difficult time with the whole gall bladder situation. The left arm still isn't working from the stroke and his eyesight has complications that are looking like they may be permanent. He will continue to have OT and visiting nurse when he comes home. The road is becoming more difficult as we go. Your prayers and support have meant more than I can possibly convey.
March 3, 2015
We have added a new fund raiser!!! We are raffling off 2 Pittsburgh Penguin tickets for $5.00.
All tickets must be sold by March 19th and the winner will be based on the PA Daily Number Drawing on March 21st. The game is on March 28th against the Phoenix Coyotes.
Please email Karen Waldron at karen_waldron@yahoo.com if you would like a ticket or two!!!
Where else can you get 2 Pens tickets for $5.00!!!!!
Thank you to Brian Marriner and Print King!!!!!
January 24, 2015
Bob has been home since Tuesday. Occupational Therapy started yesterday, physical therapy and speech therapy should start this weekend and next week. It has been 3 months since his stroke and he has come back much more than what was originally thought he would.
The left arm and hand still need a lot of work. He is walking with a cane, getting up and down with assistance. His eyesight has improved but they need to work with it some more. He is finally able to eat regular food and drink thin liquids.
Every day is a bit of a challenge as meds change often and need to be monitored. He will need to get his gall bladder out when he is a little stronger. Right now he has a drain for it which also needs to be monitored. (I never realized I would be doing so many medical related things in life)......learning a lot.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.
December 25, 2014
We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!
Bob will remain in the hospital, his projected release date is January 20th. This is only the projected date. We will keep you updated.
We would like to express our deep appreciation for your continued support and prayers. May you all be happy and safe this Christmas Season.
December 16, 2014
Just added 20 or so pics of the Spaghetti Dinner........just a little behind.......:)
December 16, 2014
Help Bob Be Bob Again!
Dear Family and Friends,
As most of you already know, Bob has been courageously battling congestive heart failure since 2008 and over the years has endured many hospitalizations and surgeries. He was admitted to the hospital on Halloween with a stroke and new heart issues. Bob has been in and out of Intensive Care and the transplant floor ever since, waiting for a heart.
Due to the extraordinary expense of transplantation, as well as Bob’s inability to work, the stress of the wait as well as mounting medical expenses is taking a toll. While Bob has insurance, his monthly premium is $1,500 on top of many out-of-pocket expenses including copays for medication, insurance, doctor and hospital bills. The fundraising campaign in Bob’s honor at HelpHOPELive has raised over $16,000 towards Bob’s medical expenses. We are so very appreciative of the incredible support of our family friends and community; you will never know how much you have touched us.
Our transplant financial coordinator has given us a fundraising goal that is staggering, but we are hoping that you will consider making an end of the year donation to help us meet an interim goal of $25,000 total funds raised to cover Bob’s insurance premium and mounting medical expenses, and earn a $1,000 challenge grant from HelpHOPELive. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Mid-Atlantic Heart Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. For credit card contributions, visit helphopelive.org and enter Bob Waldron in the “Find a Patient” box on the home page or call 800.642.8399. Or:
Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive
Note in memo section:
In honor of Bob Waldron
Please send to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
I could also use help with fundraising events. Please contact Cindy Mead at HelpHOPELive (800-642-8399) if you can organize a fundraising event. Thank you for your consideration in our desperate attempt to give Bob a second chance at life. With your help, Bob can be Bob again. I and our children thank you for your generosity, support and prayers.
Karen Waldron, 412-689-5064
Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. This campaign is administered by HelpHOPELive, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing fundraising assistance to transplant and catastrophic injury patients. Information: 800.642.8399. A copy of the official registration and financial information of HelpHOPELive may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State
December 3, 2014
It's been a pretty eventful month. Bob has been in the hospital since Halloween. He was admitted when he went into VTACH (sp) and then had a stroke that night. He has been in the CTICU since then except for two days. One day he was on the transplant floor and another when they tried to do stroke rehab. He went into pulmonary edema and ended up back in the CTICU where he has remained. He has been on tube feeds this whole time and has spent the better part of a month on a ventilator. He is now off the vent but is experiencing some other difficulties.
Your support has been incredible and we are so appreciative. You will never know how much you have touched all of us. Thank you does not nearly cover it. xoxo
October 13, 2014
Well as you all may know, Bob has been back in the hospital for a week now. I haven't had much time to update........
He has had some internal bleeding going on somewhere which in turn affected the flow output with his pump.
They are trying to figure out where the bleed is. He has had an endoscopy and now two robotic pills that send a camera through the GI system to look for the bleed. Nothing found yet. I will update as we go. xoxo
September 13, 2014
TODAY!!!!
Can;t wait to see everyone at our spaghetti dinner today!!
Love you all!!
September 11, 2014
Our Spaghetti Dinner is just a couple of days away now. The planning has gone well because of the many friends and family that have helped.
Really looking forward to seeing everyone!!!!
Thank you for supporting Bob!!!!!
September 3, 2014
There has been a lot of improvement since the last update. Bob is free of the chest tubes and is now up to 8 walks around the floor a day. It has been 18 days in the hospital so far. He is cleared to come home as soon as his INR levels go back to therapeutic. Praying this doesn't take long.
Spaghetti Dinner plans are coming along. We are a little over a week away and we have so much support. Truly blessed.
August 27, 2014
Bob continues to improve daily. They couldn't take out the chest tube again today but he still got two long walks in and other physical therapy. He seemed to have a bit more energy today and fluids are slowly coming off.
August 27, 2014
Please let me know if you want tickets to the spaghetti dinner!!! I will put them in an envelope and have them at the door for you. If you want them before hand we can work that out too!!
karen_waldron@yahoo.com
August 26, 2014
Don't forget to scroll down and check out Bob's Photo Albums.
August 26, 2014
Bob is doing okay. He is holding tons of fluids and they need to work diligently to get rid of them. He is walking some but is very tired.
Thanks for prayers.
August 23, 2014
Bob was moved back to his regular floor today. Chest tubes come out tomorrow. He exhausted, but, everything looks pretty good.
I have to say that Pittsburgh is an awesome place to live. I am meeting the nicest people. The hospital staff have all been incredible and so caring. Even just sitting outside getting fresh air you meet someone new every day. If there is a bright side to any of this, I guess that's one.
August 22, 2014
They had Bob up and moving around quite a bit. He was exhausted when we left. Temp up a bit. Doing blood cultures just to check for infection. May move to his regular floor this weekend.
August 21, 2014
Today was a good day for Bob. The breathing tube came out, numbers look good and I'm amazed, but, he is up sitting in a chair!!! I'm not sure but I think maybe they infused him with Superman's blood. I actually think he looks better than his surgeons!!!!! Again, I can't say enough about that team!!!!!!!!!!! God bless them all!!!!!!!
August 21, 2014
I have tickets available now for the Spaghetti Dinner on September 13th. If you would like tickets or are able to help us sell some, please email me at karen_waldron@yahoo.com.
Please see the flyer below in Fundraising Activities for details.
Thanks!!!
August 21, 2014
I thank you all for asking how I'm doing and your concern. Exhausted would be the closest answer but also grateful. My kids have been incredible!!!!!! You all have been such a great support system and between you and my kids, you have given me strength. I am grateful for the fabulous doctors and team that have taken care of Bob. There are no better than this group of skilled medical professionals. Most of all, I am grateful for the strength and faith that Bob has shown us through the past 6 years of his life. I know he will get through this. He has much more to do with his life. I love you all!!!!!!!! xoxo
August 21, 2014
It was an incredibly long and difficult day for Bob. After 8 or so hours on the operating table, he has a new pump. The surgeon said this was the most difficult surgery he has done. Because this is his 4th open heart there were a lot of issues while trying to get to his old pump. He also had begun renal failure. He bled quite a bit and was given 8 litres of blood. He is stable but critical. Continued prayers are greatly appreciated. Thank you all. xoxo
August 20, 2014
Bob will be undergoing open heart surgery again tomorrow morning. His pump will be replaced.
We so appreciate your prayers, friendship and all of the support you have all given us.
You are all our angels. Thank you. xoxo
August 18, 2014
Bob is back on his normal floor at Presby. Numbers are returning to "normal". Until all numbers are in the therapeutic range he will need to stay there.
But, he is out of the woods as far as anything critical.
Thank you for prayers!!!!
August 16, 2014
Today was a little difficult. Bob was put into CTICU so they could give him clot medication. It was risky but necessary. After a short time his numbers on his pump returned to normal. Now he will be watched closely for the next 24 hours because of the serious side effects this medication can cause.
We thank you for your prayers and support. We could not do this without you.
August 15, 2014
We tried to have a much needed little vacation.......but, we had to cut it short. Bob was life flighted from UPMC Northwest to Presby last night. He apparently has a blood clot which has interfered with his pump. Asking for prayers that this will be resolved. xoxo
August 9, 2014
We had a day of follow up doctor appointments.......everything checked out okay.
Thanks so much for prayers!!
August 7, 2014
If you scroll down to the fundraising section and click on Spaghetti Dinner, you will see a flyer that gives more detail about our fundraiser.
My contact info is on there if you have any questions or would like tickets or would like to help!!!!!
August 5, 2014
We will be having a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to benefit HelpHopeLive in honor of Bob to help with his transplant expenses. The dinner will be September 13th. More details to follow. If you are interested in selling and/or purchasing tickets, please email me at karen_waldron@yahoo.com. We will start selling tickets in a couple of weeks.
Thank you!!!
August 1, 2014
And.....the patient is home!!
July 30, 2014
Surgery went well today. Everything appears to be okay now. Thank you all for prayers and support!!
July 30, 2014
It's been a while since my last update.
Bob had minor surgery last Monday to replace the battery in his ICD. Today, 8 days later, his incision began to bleed. So, tomorrow they will need to go back in and drain all the excess blood and repack the battery. Hopefully he won't be in there long. It will depend mostly on his INR levels.
On another note, we are beginning to plan a spaghetti dinner in order to raise funds. I will post as we get more details.
Thank you all for your support and prayers!!!!! xoxo
June 27, 2014
It's been a little crazy lately so I haven't been able to update as much as I would like. I am working on fundraising activities behind the scenes and HOPEFULLY will have some things in gear very soon. Hopefully you are all enjoying your summer. Let us know what you're up to!!!! Make the best of every day.....it's a gift. xoxo Karen
May 29, 2014
Bob finally came home on Tuesday. Trying to get back to a normal routine.
I will be using this page to update you all on general things and Fund Raising Events, etc. For all other updates on Bob please join our group on Facebook.
www.facebook.com
Just let me know you would like to join and I will add you to the group!!
May 22, 2014
Update on Bob.......kidney function has just about returned to normal. Procedure today showed all good numbers on his LVAD. Has to get his blood INR levels back up and he can come home. That may take a day or two. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts!!!! This time in life would be impossible to get through without all of you and your support. xoxo
May 21, 2014
Hi all!!
We have had a bit of a setback. Bob is back in the hospital. Apparently his diuretics have worked too well and he has become dehydrated and is having some kidney function issues. Prayers are much appreciated......I will keep you posted.
Thank you all for your continued support!!!
April 29, 2014
Many thanks to all of you who supported our fundraiser with Mandy's Pizza & More Pittsburgh today!!!! Many thanks to Steve Negri and his awesome employees for all of their hard work!!!!!! Words can not express our appreciation!!!!!
April 24, 2014
Just updated our Fundraising Events Section!!!!!
Just click on the event title and you will be able to view the flyer!!!
We are very excited and hope that you will join us in enjoying some great pizza while helping Bob with his transplant adventure!!!!
April 9, 2014
We have a Face Book page set up as a community of support for Bob. We would for you to post pictures, stories, ask questions, etc. Bob needs your emotional support and encouragement!!! See you there!!!!
www.facebook.com
April 1, 2014
Beginning to work on getting some fundraising events going........stay tuned!!!!!!
March 18, 2014
Bob was put back on the active transplant list today as a 1B. 1A is top priority.
He is working hard at rehab and also went into town to work in the office today.
We will have events in the next couple of months. As soon as we have the details I'll post them here.
As always, thank you so much for your support!!!!!
March 17, 2014
Last week when Bob went in for Clinic, they asked him to talk to a patient who needed to get an LVAD. This patient was in turmoil as he was afraid to do it, but, the alternative was grim. After talking with Bob, the patient decided to sign the consent papers and is now doing quite well.
It just goes to show that God puts us through things and places us where we need to be to help others.
March 12, 2014
Bob had clinic today which is his once a month physical, device check, lab work, etc.
He was cleared to be able to drive, walk the treadmill and track and work some outside of the house. This also means that he will be put back on the transplant list probably in the next week or so.
We will be working on getting some events going for his fund raising and will keep you posted here as to what is happening.
Thanks all so much for your support!!!! Don't forget to sign the guest book!!!! God Bless!!!!
March 6, 2014
As we start this fundraising campaign, we would like to thank you for your support.
The uncertainty of the past several months and what lies ahead is a bit overwhelming. However, we know that God is in control and will carry us through according to His will.
Bob has started rehab this week on the road to getting stronger for the transplant. It is important that he be in the best shape he can be before undergoing yet another open heart surgery.
More updates to come as we progress through this journey.
