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Update on Greg - January 15th

I was able to make it to the hospital today. The roads getting to the freeway and the roads in Portland were still covered but the main roads were clear enough!!! I’m glad that I got to see Greg & talk to the doctors!!

Surgery team came in. He is producing more urine and his creatinine level only increased from 13 to 13.5 so they are holding off on the dialysis. They hope to see that number go down some by tomorrow. They will also be watching his BUN to make sure that starts to go down. That has been high and part of the reason he was taken back to ICU. They don’t want to discharge him until they see that.

He did, however, have to get a blood transfusion Friday, Saturday, and today due to his blood count dropping. This should start to improve as the kidney starts to work more - the DR explained that the kidney produces a substance that tells the body to produce red blood cells… not happening yet…

He vomited last night… not sure why. They’ll watch that too. Other than that, he says he’s been having trouble sleeping - the anti rejection meds he’s on can cause that.

He is doing more & more on his own and is looking so much better!!

Highlight of the day… LaDrea & Zoey came to see us and took me to lunch at the cutest little place!

Thank you for your continued love & support!💚

Update on Coach Thomas:

I know it’s been a couple days since I have given an update. I apologize for that. I think I had more confidence in my skill to navigate all this than I actually possessed. 😂

So… we are back up on the 9th floor!! Greg is doing awesome!!!

Since the last update, Greg’s labs are looking better. He is more coherent and acting more like himself. They did one round of hemodialysis and put him on the bipap machine to help him breathe better. They also removed his drain because the incision is looking great! The hemodialysis was to help the kidney (still sleepy) get rid of the extra fluids & toxins not being filtered out and to lower his blood pressure. the bipap machine was helping Greg get more respirations per minute. Normal is about 16 and he was ranging from 3-6 regularly. The bipap helped Greg get more oxygen into his blood and carbon dioxide out. This helped improve his blood gas labs. It also brought him back!!! He was able to stay awake, answer questions, follow directions…it was great to see his sass return a little bit.

When I arrived yesterday I was greeted with AWESOME news! Greg had walked down the hall & back, ate a little breakfast, and the best news - his kidney was producing more urine than it had been!!
He still slept quite a bit yesterday but when awake was able to get up, go to the bathroom, and walked an entire loop around the floor! He ate a little - still not much but every little bit helps!

The surgeons came in and explained that he is doing good. The kidney, although producing more urine, still is not functioning normal, not producing enough urine and not removing enough of the toxins. They explained that a kidney from a deceased donor can take some time to wake up. That this is normal. The nephrology team did not order any more hemodialysis so that the kidney would have a job to do… to try and kick it in to gear so to speak… but they did add meds to help regulate his blood pressure. They said they would be watching him regularly.

Today when I arrived, they had moved Greg back up to the 9th floor where his favorite nurse welcomed him back!!

He ate a little breakfast & got some extra supplements for nutrients!

The team has ordered another round of hemodialysis so he will be receiving that treatment while I wait for the next 4 hours.

All in all - progress is progress!!! I am happy to recognize my husband again and look forward to many more milestones!

Thank you for your continued love & support. Please forgive me for not replying to all of the messages or sending updates in a timely manner!

GO Chargers! 💚💛

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Coach Greg Finally Gets a Kidney!, organized by Darcy Smith Hi, my name is Darcy Smith, and I am raising funds on behalf of the Thomas family. Greg… Darcy Smith needs your support for Coach Greg Finally Gets a Kidney!

Ok, so quick update.

Greg was taken back to ICU yesterday. We noticed he wasn't able to stay awake, wasn't comprehending very well, etc. they did some labs - he wasn't getting enough oxygen into his blood and holding on to too much carbon dioxide - This is because he has apnea and only getting 4-6 respirations per minute while he's kind of sleepy or out of it... normal is about 12-16

They have put him on bipap to help him breathe.

They are also starting a procedure right now to put in a line in his neck so they can begin hemodialysis. Stronger than the peritoneal dialysis and will help to wake up his kidney and get his numbers looking better.

I'm in the waiting room and will update you as soon as they come to see me.

XOXO
Toni

Just got the call!!! Heading to Portland!! said goodbye to our babies- prayers Welcome!!!!

We celebrated our Chargers and Homecoming last night at Team Dinner. The kids loved our Themed entrees and their crowns!!! These kings have a big game tonight!!! Come out & Support at 7PM!!!!

Thank you to our amazing parents for serving breakfast to our Chargers this morning!!! These boys are something special!!

Hey Chargers & Charger Fans!!! We are in need of volunteers to help work at the NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceways this coming weekend!!! Please sign up for a shift or two to help support our program!!!

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Happy Birthday Coach Ruhl!!

Chargers!!!!!! It’s Homecoming Night!!!! Game time is 7:00PM @ French Field!! Get there early!!! Bring your Charger pride and spirit!!!! Let’s get a win tonight!!!