Great News!! Dan is going home!

After 45 nights and 46 days at the University of Washington Medical Center, Dan is finally going home! As you can imagine, Dan and Lorie are so excited to finally go home and for this next step of Dan's recovery to begin.


On Friday Dan will begin his twice weekly, half day long clinic visits where they will closely monitor his body's acceptance of his new liver. This next phase will provide plenty of opportunities to help Dan and Lorie out as Lorie will need to get back to a busy work schedule. Since many have asked- there are lots of ways that you can help them out including preparing a dinner for them, taking the kids on outings, watering their flowers and other yard work, etc. Please contact Lorie directly to discuss specific needs or offers to help.


We have a meal calendar set up for anyone interested in bringing the family a meal. The calendar can be accessed here. Please use the following log in information:
CALENDAR ID: 114404
SECURITY CODE: 4109

Thank you everyone for all of your love, support, and prayers throughout this incredibly tough journey. Dan still has a long way to go in his recovery and your continued support is truly appreciated!

Post Transplant Update - Getting Closer.....

I know it's  been over a week since the last update. Things have been changing alot, and I've wanted to wait until I have firm information. What I CAN tell you is, the 2nd try on the procedure was a success! Which means all his blood levels have been doing much better!
Currently, the Dr.'s want to make sure he is safe upon  his return back to home and are recommending up to a week more of time here, although there is a good chance he could be home as early as Monday or Tuesday. The focus of the remainder of his stay is Physical Therapy to help  get him strong. This of course will be an ongoing process,  I've already seen alot of improvement in just a few days. This last week has definately had alot of ups and downs. At times thinking it could be an additional 2 days to 2 weeks. We are just happy he has a goal now to work towards. Thank you again for all the continue'd prayers, and well wishes. It has been very comforting during these difficult times.
Much love to all -
Lorie

Post Transplant Update #5 - Another bump in the Road

Hi All!
 I thought I'd share with everyone as to how Dan's recovery is doing. This last  weekend the Dr.'s informed us that there appeared to be a bile duct leak. The best way to think of it, is a "plumbing" issue. In order to correct this problem they needed to go in with a Endescope and place a stent in place. The procedure was  yesterday and they did not have any luck. Apparently the scope was not able to make it to the necessary location due to inflamation. However, they do feel confident that they will be successful with a second attempt on Wed. If they are not able to be successful with the 2nd attempt, they will try a more invasive way of fixing the problem. We are staying optimistic and hoping he is able to come home at the earliest Friday, or possibly by Monday. The Dr.'s have reminded us on several occassions, that he was a very sick man going into the surgery, therefore to expect a longer hospital stay after. Dan is anxiouus to come home and we both want to say "Thank you" for all the continued prayers! We truely feel blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.
Keep checking the blog, as we due plan to have the calendar up within the next 2 - 3 days!

Love to all!
Lorie

Post Transplant Update #4: A Setback

Thank you to everyone for your kind inquiries regarding Dan. As to be expected after something as serious as a liver transplant, the last week has been filled with ups and downs for Dan. On Tuesday afternoon, Dan suffered a seizure and had to be readmitted to the ICU. It is our understanding that while not common, it is not unheard for a liver transplant recipient to experience a seizure. Doctors have been evaluating Dan and will be adjusting his anti-rejection medication as necessary and possibly putting him on anti-seizure medication. Please keep Dan and Lorie in your prayers through this extremely challenging stage of recovery.

Also, please be on the look out for further information about Dan's post transplant care calendar. The link to this calendar will be posted to the blog once Dan is given notice that he'll be discharged from the hospital. It will be used to sign up for bringing meals to the family, etc.

Thank you to everyone for your love and support for Dan!

Post Transplant Update #3: Doing Great!

Just a short update- As of Thursday, June 14, 2012, Dan was still in the ICU, but was expected to be moved to the Transplant floor at some point in the evening. He is still undergoing kidney dialysis. He is looking incredibly well! The difference in his appearance between Monday pre-transplant and Thursday is unbelievable. His jaundice looks so much better and he was sitting up in bed. He's off to a great start to his long journey of transplant recovery!

Post Transplant Update #2: Great News!

Doctors have advised Lorie that Dan is doing great, with no signs of any complications! Things are looking so good in fact that Dan is expected to be moved from the ICU to the Transplant Floor at some point this evening. This is after doctors had originally said they expected him to be in the ICU for seven to ten days post-transplant! They are still watching his kidneys closely and running dialysis, but this was expected and anticipated. His liver functions are great and Lorie said she can already see the jaundice going away. She expects that it will be completely gone within a couple days. This is incredible as Dan has had a jaundiced appearance for months now. We couldn't ask for bigger blessings and better news for Dan. Please keep him your prayers. Also, please no visitors until Dan and Lorie give the go ahead.

We are so grateful for all of the support and care the family has received from family and friends and even strangers near and far. Thank you to everyone!

Update: Dan has a new liver!

We are so thrilled to report that as of 3:30am on June 12, 2012, Dan has a new a liver! The first liver that Dan had originally been prepped to receive was found to have fatty liver disease and thankfully a second healthy liver became available the very next day. A major blessing was that Dan had the top transplant doctor at University of Washington Medical Center perform the surgery along with one of the UW's world class transplant teams. Dan is currently sedated and in the ICU for several days as he is monitored continuously for any signs of trouble. He may have to undergo kidney dialysis while in the ICU as his kidneys have suffered throughout these last few months as things got worse and worse for Dan's liver. Our prayer is that his kidneys will return to good health now that he has a new liver and he will not need a kidney transplant. 

The next several days are extremely critical and things can change at any time. At this time the family asks for no visitors during these next several critical days. 

We truly appreciate all of your prayers leading up to this transplant and now as Dan begins the long road to healing. The next three months will be extremely critical for Dan as his body adapts to his new liver. We are so eternally grateful for the man who donated this liver to Dan and gave Dan a second chance at life. Our hope is that his family knows how much their loss and sacrifice mean to our family and how grateful we are. Dan has two elementary age children and this is the opportunity for him to see them graduate from college one day. We are so grateful.

It amazing the 2nd wind you can get..........

It's 12:30 am Tues. and the last phone call I received was 40 min. ago.  A  member in the surgery room stating to me that they were "sewing in the new liver as we speak". It will take some time to see that everything is working correctly but said the surgery was going smoothly with no complications thus far. He said it could be done as early as 3, but that was on the early side. As first I didn't think it was going to be possible to stay up all night. But so far, so good. I've got 2 of Dan's brothers to keep me company....and a niece (although she's the one sleeping). Now to go get that coffee.........

Round 2 - This looks to be a go!!

As many of you've read last night or early this morning, the donor from yesterday was not match. As you might imagine, we ( Lorie and Dan) we're dissappointed, but knew it must have been for the right reasons.....and we were right. Apparently there were signs of fatty liver disease with the last donor. Quickly a another donor came up, and the Dr.s feel very confident this ones a go. Currently Dan has already been taken away, and is being prepped for surgery. That alone is expected to take an hour to an hour and half. Someone from the surgery team will come in and advise as to the beginning of the surgery. As Katie mentioned in yesterdays post, this surgery IS expected to be a long one. We're anticipating 12hrs, possibly longer.
I personally want to say "Thank You!" for all the prayers, well wishes, and of course the donations. Dan and I have been taken back by all the outpouring support we've received from near and far!
I will keep you posted throughout the night.........seeing as I will have ALOT of time on my hands while I wait!
Much Love - Lorie 

Disappointing news: 1st liver isn't a good match

We just received extremely disappointing news. The liver doctors were planning on using for the transplant turned out not to be a good match for Dan. Please pray a new suitable liver is found as soon as possible. Also, please pray for Dan and Lorie's spirits as this is of course so disappointing and such an emotional roller coaster.

Great news! A new liver is on its way!

This morning one of Dan's doctors came to see him with great news! The doctor said that he believed he had a liver in Washington state and on its way for Dan. Dan was so excited and was especially excited to have a bit of a heads up to get mentally ready for such a big undergoing. At 4pm this afternoon his doctor came to see him again and told him it was time to start fasting for the surgery. Since then they have taken countless vials of blood for testing and preparing for every possible scenario during the surgery. The team at the University of Washington Medical Center is so incredible and we are so grateful for all of the planning and prep work they do for transplant surgeries. The doctor did advise Dan that he will be undergoing kidney dialysis while they perform the liver transplant as his creatinine levels require it. They do however believe that Dan's kidneys will be able to remain and will improve dramatically after he gets his new liver. They have advised that the surgery will last anywhere between 8-12 hours, with it most likely being closer to 12 hours long. Surgery will probably begin somewhere close to midnight tonight.

Lorie will be updating the blog as possible throughout the surgery.

Please keep Dan in your prayers tonight!

Update on Dan - June 5, 2012

We want to thank everyone for all of the love, support, and kind wishes that have been showered upon Dan. We are so grateful for friends, family, and even strangers from across the world who have donated to our fundraiser to help Dan and Lorie with the many medical expenses associated with a liver transplant that aren't fully covered by insurance. One friend of Dan's in particular has amazed us- he has countless generous friends who have rallied to his call to help Dan. These "friends of a friend" have never even met Dan and yet they have been so incredibly supportive and kind. The child of one of them even donated his allowance! As a family we've been calling and texting each other in excitement and gratitude at all of the kindness shown to Dan, Lorie, and their children, Dylan and Lexi. Please accept our virtual thank yous! I've spoken with Dan frequently and he's been moved to tears countless times throughout the past week. He said that the fundraiser site has given him something to watch and helped him get his mind focused on something other than the wait for the liver. In other fundraising news, a local Italian restaurant has offered to host a fundraising evening for Dan at an upcoming date. We should have more information on this shortly and will post it to the blog as soon as details are finalized.

I received another update from Lorie on Dan. To recap for those who missed this- Dan was officially listed on the UNOS transplant list with a MELD score of 40. He is in stable condition and multiple doctors and nurses have expressed their amazement at how excellent his strength and mental awareness are for someone with such a high MELD score. Because Dan has a MELD score of 40, this puts him at highest priority on the UNOS list. At this point we have every reason to believe that he should have his transplant within the next couple of weeks. A matter of concern is Dan's kidneys. Doctors are closely monitoring his blood as his kidneys are being affected by Dan's liver failure. If his creatnine levels continue to rise than Dan may have to begin dialysis next week. This would not be ideal, but doctors are still hopeful that Dan won't need a kidney transplant. As long as he receives his liver shortly, his kidneys should hopefully be okay.
Dan really loves and appreciates visits from friends and family. Please contact Lorie via Facebook, email, or phone to arrange a time to visit. Please don't just drop in as Dan may be sleeping and as you can imagine rest and sleep are important and at a premium with doctors and nurses constantly monitoring his stats.

Thank you to everyone for all of your love, support, and prayers for Dan. We'll keep you updated as we know more.

Good News Update!

Today Dan and Lorie met with his doctors and were given the good news- Dan will be officially listed on the UNOS national transplant list within the next 24 hours! The entire family is celebrating this great news! They have a few more pre-surgical tests to run prior to the transplant, but other than those Dan will just be waiting for the first available liver. Currently Dan's MELD score is very high and this puts him at the top of the list as a liver recipient. He will continue to stay at the University of Washington Medical Center until the transplant so that he can be cared for around the clock by his amazing team of doctors and nurses.

Other positive news involves our family fundraiser for to help Dan and Lorie with some of the associated medical expenses that insurance won't cover. We are blown away by the generosity of friends, family, and complete strangers. In just over 24 hours since launching the fundraiser, we are over halfway to our goal of $5,000! Seeing the encouraging comments and kind wishes from friends, family, and strangers is so encouraging to Dan. He mentioned having to take a break from looking at them as he was tired of getting teary eyed! Please consider helping the family in this way- any amount helps us reach our goal and we're really hoping we complete the second half of our goal with small donations from close friends and family. Please visit Dan's Give Forward page here. Our sincerest and deepest thank you to those who have supported Dan in this way. It means more to him and the rest of our family than you'll ever know. Thank you.

Update on Dan - May 27, 2012

Dan is currently staying at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) while they work to alleviate some of the liver failure symptoms and Dan undergoes the final tests required to be added to the UNOS National Transplant Patient list. UNOS has a great website that provides a lot of information on the transplant process. The UWMC transplant board will meet tomorrow to finalize Dan's approval for UNOS.

We'll update the blog further once the board meets and gives their final approval. In the interim, please send your encouragement and support to Dan via his Facebook page.

Since many kind friends and family have asked how they can support Dan and Lorie and the kids as they go through this challenge we wanted to provide a few different ideas and suggestions of ways to help.

-Please consider donating to our fundraiser for Dan's medical expenses.
-Please consider signing up to bring a meal to the Contreras family during the three month after care period post-transplant.
-Dan and Lorie's children will have a long summer ahead and could definitely use some entertainment as the summer goes on. Please consider spending some time with them and including them in your summer activities.
-Please leave a comment on this blog or Dan's Facebook page showing your support and love for Dan and his family!