Rick Stawski Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Rick’s Story
The last week of October, Rick will be admitted to the University of California - San Diego Medical Center to undergo a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) surgical procedure to remove blood clots from his lungs. UCSD is the world leader and a pioneer of this procedure... He will be in very good hands.
Rick will undergo multiple days of testing in preparation for surgery: ventilation/perfusion scan, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, right heart catheterization, left heart catheterization and coronary angiogram, pulmonary angiogram, angioscopy, CT of the chest and carotid doppler.
Upon successful completion of these tests, Rick will undergo the PTE procedure on October 30th.
This procedure, although on the lungs, is considered “open-heart” surgery as the chest cavity is opened and he is placed on a bypass pump (heart-lung machine) during surgery to avoid any blood flowing through the arteries.
Rick will recover in the ICU for approximately 3 to 4 days. As he recovers, he will be moved to another pulmonary ward of the hospital for another 7 to 10 days. The total hospital stay will be 2 - 3 weeks.
Finally, Rick will be discharged and begin his rehab at home. The level or rehab is determined on an individual basis and dependent upon the level/speed of his recovery while in the hospital. It should be noted that although this is a rather invasive procedure, for most patients it is a “cure”.
We will continue to keep you updated through his Caring Bridge site – please add notes to help encourage him now, during his hospital stay and throughout his recovery/rehabilitation.
https://www.caringbridge.org/public/rickstawski
As you can imagine, Rick has had to limit his work at this point and will be unable to work for an unknown amount of time following his surgery. Additionally, due to COVID and Rick’s compromised health condition, his wife Barb is also unable to work. This, along with the expenses that will be incurred in San Diego, have created a financial hardship.
Your thoughts, prayers and any financial contribution you are able to make is greatly appreciated.
On behalf of Rick and Barb - Many heartfelt thanks!
The last week of October, Rick will be admitted to the University of California - San Diego Medical Center to undergo a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) surgical procedure to remove blood clots from his lungs. UCSD is the world leader and a pioneer of this procedure... He will be in very good hands.
Rick will undergo multiple days of testing in preparation for surgery: ventilation/perfusion scan, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, right heart catheterization, left heart catheterization and coronary angiogram, pulmonary angiogram, angioscopy, CT of the chest and carotid doppler.
Upon successful completion of these tests, Rick will undergo the PTE procedure on October 30th.
This procedure, although on the lungs, is considered “open-heart” surgery as the chest cavity is opened and he is placed on a bypass pump (heart-lung machine) during surgery to avoid any blood flowing through the arteries.
Rick will recover in the ICU for approximately 3 to 4 days. As he recovers, he will be moved to another pulmonary ward of the hospital for another 7 to 10 days. The total hospital stay will be 2 - 3 weeks.
Finally, Rick will be discharged and begin his rehab at home. The level or rehab is determined on an individual basis and dependent upon the level/speed of his recovery while in the hospital. It should be noted that although this is a rather invasive procedure, for most patients it is a “cure”.
We will continue to keep you updated through his Caring Bridge site – please add notes to help encourage him now, during his hospital stay and throughout his recovery/rehabilitation.
https://www.caringbridge.org/public/rickstawski
As you can imagine, Rick has had to limit his work at this point and will be unable to work for an unknown amount of time following his surgery. Additionally, due to COVID and Rick’s compromised health condition, his wife Barb is also unable to work. This, along with the expenses that will be incurred in San Diego, have created a financial hardship.
Your thoughts, prayers and any financial contribution you are able to make is greatly appreciated.
On behalf of Rick and Barb - Many heartfelt thanks!
Organizer and beneficiary
Roger Stawski
Organizer
Lindstrom, MN
Richard Stawski
Beneficiary