FOR CHAD'S SAKE

Chad is seen here with his wife and children.

Chad Carson grew up in Brady, Texas and is the husband to Heidi and the father of two children,  Jody and Will.   His Mom, Carolyn Carson, still lives in Brady.  His wife, Heidi, is the daughter of Eddie and Marsha Housley.  In the past year, he has been diagnosed with hyperoxaluria.  His liver is deficient of the enzyme which regulates the oxalates and this has led to his kidneys failing.  Because of this deficiency, Chad is now a candidate for a liver and kidney transplant in order to regain a normal life.

  Chad’s family, friends and church, Sierra Vista Methodist in San Angelo, are joining together to have a benefit dinner and dessert auction.  There will even be a bake sale during the dinner of some of the best desserts West Texas cooks have to offer.  

Your support will help fund medical expenses and family needs.

If you would like to leave a message for Chad, click below. 

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Tuesday,  February 23, 2010 
We don't have much to report today.  We went to meet the kidney transplant specialist today, and all the labs looked the same as the day before.  All of the labs have been good, the doctors are still saying he is doing well.  We will have to meet with the doctors three days a week for about four weeks.  He is getting bored, very bored.
 
I went to work today in the Dallas office, and will again tomorrow.  I will probably try and do this every week while I am here.  If I don't I'm afraid Chad and I might kill each other.  I think our bonding time is over.....

My parents, both kids and aunt are coming this weekend, so that gives us something to look forward to.  We miss the kids terribly (and the dog too).  I will close for now. If anyone calls Chad, his cell is not ringing, it is officially old.
 
Thanks for everything,
Heidi & Chad

Friday,  February 19, 2010 
Not much to report.  Since arriving to the hotel Wednesday evening we have been taking it easy and resting.  Thanks for all the phone calls and cards; we really appreciate it.
 
Our new address for the next 4 weeks is Candlewood Suites, Room 226, 7930 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75247.  We have Dr. appointments on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of next week, and he will have standing lab appointments on Mondays and Thursdays until we come home.  Hope everyone is doing well and we miss all of you.
 
Thanks again for all the prayers.
Heidi & Chad

Wednesday,  February 17, 2010 
Yippie, we got our release from the hospital.  The doctor said it would be this afternoon and we could go to the hotel.  Chad is dressed and ready.  He is feeling good, and his attitude is good as well.  His blood pressure is good, but his blood sugar is sometimes high.  I am hoping that when we get to the hotel, he will be up to some phone calls.  Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts.
 
Chad & Heidi

Monday update
We are out of ICU, HORRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We are in a new room, 4028.  Have no idea when we can leave the hospital, but that's okay, we are out of ICU.  Some of you were asking for an address. It is 1441 N. Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203.  Thanks for all the cards that we have already received.  Your support has been tremendous. 
 
Thanks again,
 
Heidi & Chad

Monday,  February 15, 2010 
Well, things didn't go as planned yesterday.  Chad is back in ICU.  On Friday when they did the stint in the bile duct, there was a large vein beside where it was done and it caused some internal bleeding.  So we are back in ICU for observation for two days.  He received two units of plasma and two units of blood, and we are hoping that the excitement is close to being over.  I think his mother and I are on a major emotional rollercoaster, I know for sure I am, my back is in a knot, I'm not sleeping at night and my stomach is blah.  Just send up some more prayers.  I am trying to keep the bible verse in my head, not to worry about tomorrow's issues because today has enough of its own.  Sometimes that is easier said than done.  Will update later today.
 
Heidi

Friday,  February 12, 2010 

Okay here is the latest.
 
The liver was not being rejected, his bile duct and the donor's bile duct were not connecting.  So they put in a stint and all is well.  We hope and pray this is the last hurdle.  The Dr took him off of one of his pain meds and put him on a Valium.  He was feeling much more relaxed this morning, and he wasn't as grumpy.  They also took out the catheter, and that was a great release for him.  We are making it, but it is one small step at a time.  My parents are bringing Will this weekend, and I can't wait to see him...don't know if Chad will get to see him or not.  Thanks again for all your prayers.
 
Heidi & Chad

Thursday,  February 11, 2010 
Well today was not a good day.  The doctors came in this morning and stated that the liver numbers were dropping and they wanted to do a biopsy.  The body is rejecting the organ they believe, but will not know for sure what is going on until the biopsy results in the morning.  The only other possible problem could be that the bile duct is not working and that could be a easy fix.  They believe that since Chad was a relatively healthy person before the surgery his body is trying to fight off the liver as a foreign object.  So they are looking at upping the immunosuppressive drugs and that will fix the issue, but we won't know until the morning.  Sorry I haven't updated earlier, I finally had my down day and just had the muster to send this out. 
 
On a good note, he finally got a shower.  I am staying the night so that Chad's mom can get a good nights sleep.  The snow here is unbelievable. I haven't seen snow like this since Jody was 7 and she is 15 now. 
 
Thanks again for all your prayers and support. 
Heidi & Chad

Wednesday,  February 10, 2010 
Not much to report.  He ate a little, feels kind of tired and is getting ready to walk this afternoon.  We did get our hotel rooms for this weekend, the transplant coordinator took care of it.  Hooray.....
 
So we are looking at leaving here on Friday.  That's all for now. 
Heidi & Chad

Tuesday, February 9, 2010...10:15 p.m.
He has been moved to a room, it is room 4033. He's not up to phone calls yet.  But you can send cards if you want.  Methodist Hospital, 1441 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203 is the address.  I'm going to have a lot to learn the next few days, so I'm off to rest. Chad's mom wanted to stay the night, so I didn't complain.
 
After we got to the room he walked down the hall.  I believe he was bed weary, and he gets a bath tomorrow as well.  Things are looking good, just prayers for us to have a place to stay in Dallas on Friday and Saturday night, the Basketball All-Star game is in town this weekend and they could release him as soon as Thursday.  We will just be grateful for all the good things going on and not worry about tomorrow.
 
Thanks again for all the prayers, 
Heidi & Chad

Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Well, things here are about the same.  He is still in ICU, probably will be moved today to the 4th floor.  He had a restless night, so he is ready to be moved and get away from the ICU floor.  He is running a temp this morning and a little swollen; they act like it is normal.  He is kind of grumpy, but not too bad.  He isn't eating much, but I think that will change with time.
 
My dad went home today and Holt is heading out this afternoon.  So it's just Carolyn (Chad's mom) and I.  We all left the hospital yesterday evening and went out to eat and then were all in bed before 10:00PM.  So we all had a good night's sleep.  I'm sorry that I don't respond to all the emails, there are so many and I really like reading thru them so please don't not respond.  Just to reiterate, he can't have any flowers, plants, or fresh fruit and veggies, but he can have cards.  When we get to a room I'll let all of you know. 
 
Thanks for everything,
 
Heidi & Chad 

Monday, February 8, 2010
Here is the latest.
 
Last night 02/07
He went to ICU, woke up first thing after arriving.  This was not normal.  We were told he would be sedated until the morning.  So since that was the case, by 10 PM he had his breathing tube out, and he caught the end of the Super Bowl.  He was talking and in pain, but better since he could talk.  He didn't sleep much, and they had him moving around so he wouldn't develop any sores they said.
 
This morning 02/08
All kinds of therapists have been by.  They took an ultrasound of his abdomen.  I haven't seen the surgeon yet, but should soon.  He is sitting up, drinking water, in pain, and his normal chipper self (all of you should know what that means).  He has plenty of output of urine.  They said they were draining 70cc a hour, which is very good. 
 
All of us but his mother went to a hotel and slept.  She is so stubborn; if it was my son I would probably be there too. 
 
Okay, just met with one of the surgeons.  He said Chad was doing great.  He wanted to move him to a regular room this afternoon, but the other surgeon wants him to stay one more night because of his heart.  He has developed chronic heart disease, but it's from dialysis.  The surgeon just told us it will get better with time.  So this is good news.
 
So for now we are all doing good, just a little anxious... and we all are having some moments.
 
I'll close for now.  We don't have a room number yet, but when we get one I'll let all of you know.  Thanks for all the emails, prayers and support.  The outpour has been overwhelming.
 
Heidi Carson

Sunday, February 7, 2010
Okay, he went back to surgery at 9:30AM, will probably take about 6 hours.  The donor was a 36 year old man, and the organs looked good.  He will get a full liver and one kidney, and they believe he will do good.  No other info for now.  We are all a little stressed, but that is to be expected.
 
Heidi

**********

Okay, friends and family, we are at Methodist in Dallas.  We received the phone call around 9PM yesterday.  They say that the organs are coming from somewhere else, and the surgery is to be a 8:30 AM.  Prayers would be good.  The kids are taken care of right now, and we are just waiting for the doctor to okay the organs and we are on our way.  Wooh this is nerve-wracking.  The nurse just told us no flowers or plants; it has to do with his immune system... and not many guests--just family for now.  Thanks for everything and I know I'm forgetting something, so I'll close for now.
 
Love all of you,
Heidi & Chad

Posted Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hello all, as of yesterday 6-15-09 we are now listed for a liver/kidney transplant.  I recieved a MELD score of 21, not as high as expected but the higher the score the sicker you are. I wanted a higher score in order to be further up the list, but it will have to do. Also found out that if a perfect match is found that no matter where the organs are in Texas, I should be able to receive them. Transplant facilities are listed by regions and if you are only listed in one region then you can only receive organs from that area. That's all for now.
 
            Chad

Posted Wednesday, May 27, 2009
On Thursday, May 21,  I received a phone call from Methodist Hospital concerning our testing and evaluation process. I am now approved for a liver/kidney transplant.  However, we are still not listed and have not been issued a MELD score.  The transplant surgeons want another round of lab work done in order to issue me the MELD score.  Also, the insurance company has to be contacted in order to find out if they want additional testing that the doctors may not have ordered. Even  though this is good news,  I have learned that an additional day of dialysis is to be added to my schedule.  Starting in June, I will be doing Monday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday with the length of time on machine staying the same. This is due to the extremely high oxalate count in blood system. Dialysis is doing a good job of removing the majority of the oxalates, but as soon as I am off the machine they tend to shoot back up. Our concern now is possible damage from these needle shape crystals to other organs and my eyes. More to come as soon as we know.   Chad

Posted Wednesday, May 13
Hallelujah, the heart cath went great.  No blockage...the heart muscle on the right is a little stiff, but the Dr stated that some of it was from the fluid buildup.  He is resting, and I am looking around the hotel since this is where we will be when it happens.  Thanks again for all your prayers.
 
Heidi & Chad

Posted Tuesday, May 12
Hello all
 
Chad and I are going back to Dallas this evening.  He has a heart cath scheduled for tomorrow AM, and we meet with the nephrologist on Wednesday.  Hopefully this will be our last trip for awhile.  After this test they should be able to score him and get him on the list.  Depending on the score, it will determine how high on the list we are.  We are hoping for a 25--anything less will not put him at the top.  So off we go again.  Will update all of you tomorrow.  
 
God bless you all,
 
Heidi Carson

Posted Tuesday, April 28
Well, Chad made it thru one more test.  We have another trip scheduled to Dallas for May 10-12 for one more test (heart cath) and a meeting with the Nephrologists.  We hope this is our last trip until July. 
 
If there are any of you out of towners that need a place to stay, we have a spare room.  And others have offered up their homes as well.  Just let us know. 
 
Thank you again for all the prayers and gifts.  Keep the prayers coming, and pray for our sanity and Chad's heart to be strong and viable.
 
Heidi and Chad

Posted Tuesday, April 14
Well we made it thru most of the testing and things are looking up for Chad.  We spent three long days in Dallas at the Methodist Hospital taking various tests for Chad to get set up to be put on the transplant list.  He has a few other tests to do here at home, and we should be on our way.  The doctors all stated that with Chad's blood type being B positive, it is good and bad.  Good is that there aren't many people with this blood type and bad because there aren't many people with this blood type.  His physician in Dallas will present his case to the panel of doctors on a Thursday, and that will probably happen in a few weeks.  The doctor wants all the test results before he presents.  So we are setting up more tests.  Chad's spirits are up, and we both feel much better about the doctors after this visit. 
 
The rest of us are doing well.  Thanks for all your prayers and gifts that you have given us.  We love you all. 

The Miles High School students are going to be helping at the fund raiser and bringing lots of chips (potato and other) for the hotdogs we will serve to those who don't want the pulled pork.  They are all friends of Jody Carson, Chad's daughter, who attends Miles High School. 

To create public awareness about organ donation and to offer another opportunity for the community to support Chad, yard signs will be available to purchase beginning on Saturday, April 4th (during the 5:30 service) and will carry on at the Sunday services.  They are $25.00 and a generous benefactor has underwritten the first 50 signs, so the entire amount will go to Chad’s Fund.  Signs that are not sold this week-end
can be purchased at 
Western Communications Service (2027 Sherwood Way)

If you would like to leave a message for Chad, click below.

Sign Chad's DreamBook!!!