Young Minnesota Pastor fighting for life after contracting rare lung infection
One of the transplant doctors was describing Carson’s case saying it is way outside the normal on a bell curve. So I confess I don’t know what normal is (except for a setting on my washing machine! Aunt Lynne’s humor) when it comes to medical cases here at Mayo or for a lung transplant. I do know they told us surgery would be 8 - 12 hours and the immensity of Carson’s situation demanded far more work and time - 20 hrs.
Yesterday Carson headed back to surgery to deal with some bleeding in his chest from cleaning out scar tissue. And the Dr’s told us following surgery that we could expect surgery to be a daily occurrence until the bleeding stopped. Overnight the bleeding stopped!
Because of the condition of Carson’s right lung and scar tissue, fitting the lung into its new home has been an issue. This is not a rare situation. On the docket, for some time in the next couple days, is to go back to surgery and “fit” the right lung in.
Currently things are stable and we’re giving thanks and praise for the baby steps. This morning they turned him and his body was comfortable enough that no “bells or whistles” went off. A first since surgery.
There were some comments that folks didn’t know that he needed a kidney. This was not something we shared as it wasn’t a priority but Dr’s had talked about him needing one sometime in the future. This need is due to the fact that his kidney’s have been put through the wringer from the drugs used to treat him throughout these weeks. We were not really expecting a triple organ transplant when he went in. A possibility yes, but probability no.
As we move forward we would like to give you some concerns to continue to pray about. I’m not sure there is an order :) but first and foremost that Carson knows God’s presence in real ways that give him courage, strength and peace. For the functioning of his new organs. Pray they will function wonderfully well and that his body will not reject them. Pray that as we move forward he will not deal with the infections that are apt to creep up when you are in ICU and the hospital for so long. Pray that there is not any remaining, latent Blastomycosis fungus hiding anywhere in his body and if there is it will be squelched by the medications he is already receiving. Praise God for his care team’s continued love, persistence, knowledge and wisdom they show to serve all their patients well.
Thanks for all your continued support in so many ways.
God IS good — ALL the Time
This morning Carson is headed back to surgery. He was more stable throughout the night and we are so thankful for the miracles of the past several days. Although we all had been praying for organs for Carson we had prepared ourselves for the possibility of waiting much longer. When we received the call that organs were available for Carson we were excited and then a bit nervous as the reality of this next step in our journey was here. Today we wait while Carson is in surgery, thankful that those that lost a loved one gave the gift of organs to Carson. We continue to be so appreciative of the amazing care Carson is receiving.
Thanks for all of the updates Jim.
[Jim]Today we wait while Carson is in surgery, thankful that those that lost a loved one gave the gift of organs to Carson.
To all SI readers: If you are not already a designated organ donor, please (re)consider becoming one.
In my state, Minnesota, becoming one is as simple as checking a box on the (re)application form for a Driver’s License or State I.D. Then the card itself will display a “DONOR” designation indicating your decision, for any party to see.
Over the last week Carson has been relatively stable. He is still on ECMO and a ventilator both which are supporting his lungs while he recovers from surgery. His recovery at this time is focused on reducing the amount of excess fluid(swelling) using dialysis. We are thankful this week for progress in that area. Carson’s heart is functioning well although they have not closed his chest cavity yet due to complications that affected his heart function when closed. They are hopeful that they will be able to close the chest soon and begin the process of reducing support as Carson’s body recovers and begins to function on its own. Carson has a breathing tube in which makes communicating difficult even for Carson who is very good at charades and being in bed since Dec 18th presents its own set of challenges. We continue to be thankful for small steps towards recovery, the compassionate care of amazing team of caregivers all working towards sending Carson home, for the miracle and gift of organs God provided from a most gracious family and donor and for the love and prayers of those that are journeying with us from more places than we could have ever imagined! Thank you all! Thank you God!
January 19 Very Sick!
Journal entry by Lynne Frutiger — 1 hour ago
Carson is very sick and struggling with complications not directly involving his new organs, but rather from being so sick for such an extended period of time. He is once again in a very difficult spot and as always his care team is working together to find the best way through this. It is likely he will need a very high risk procedure in the next few days. As always we appreciate your love and prayers.
I am so very sad.
Please pray for his family
Still praying for his family. God always has been, now is, and forever will be good in all things–even in circumstances that sadden us.
Bruce and Kathy Frutiger
1421 20th Ave NE
Rochester MN 55906-8026
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