Support Hunter's Lifesaving Organ Transplant
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Hunter’s Lifesaving Journey
Hunter at the age of 25 is currently fighting for his life, and his journey is far from over. His recovery will require extensive medical care, and the emotional toll on his family is profound. Jackie, Emily and their loved ones are rallying around him, but they cannot do it alone.
This holiday season has been turned upside down for Hunter and his family. Your support whether through prayers, words of encouragement, or financial assistance can make an incredible difference. Let’s come together to help Hunter and his family during this critical time.
Donations received will be only used for medical expenses, travel, and lodging associated with the hospitalization, organ transplant, and post-transplant medical care and medications.
Hunter says that he is happy to be alive, thankful for all of the support thus far and is not expecting anyone to provide financial assistance, but is EXTREMELY grateful for every single donation so far.
December 23rd
- Hunter's fiancé Emily and mother Jackie rushed Hunter to the emergency department in Eau Claire due to severe abdominal pain and vomiting. In the days leading up to this, Hunter only thought he strained a muscle due to only having mild discomfort. After various testing and imaging it was found that he had multiple blood clots throughout his abdomen, and needed intensive care immediately. He was then rushed by ambulance to Marshfield, Wi to begin removing these blood clots. Arterial catheters were placed in his leg and navigated to his liver, spleen and intestines to remove the clots without an invasive surgery.
December 24th and 25th
- Hunter, Jackie and Emily spent the holiday in the ICU anxiously waiting for more tests, imaging and results of how the operation had gone.
December 26th
- After finding Hunter's left leg completely white and without a pulse he was rushed for more imaging and soon after he was intubated, placed on a ventilator and sent in for emergency surgery to save his leg and intestines. The imaging showed that there are more clots throughout his abdomen and needed to be removed.
- In the middle of the surgery one of the surgeons came out to say they are having to remove sections of his intestines because they are no longer viable, and they are uncertain of the state the rest of his intestines are in. A second vascular surgeon was called in to assist with the surgery. Hunter's mother, fiancé and family were not expecting to hear that "he is very very sick and that he may not survive".
- After several hours Hunter returned from surgery with the expectation that he may need to go in again to further assess the status of his intestines and other organs. In the late hours of the night an infection from the dying tissue began to spread through his bloodstream making him septic. He developed a fever of 105 degrees; required a water cooling blanket and water cycled into his stomach to control the fever. Blood tests showed that his liver was dysfunctioning and the waste products could result in brain damage and lead to a coma. This lead to the need for dialysis in addition to the ventilator to keep fighting.
It was discovered that Hunter's blood began clotting while being on a continuous Heparin drip. Heparin is a medication used to prevent blood from clotting, but a rare reaction can occur that makes the blood clot more. The only way to detect Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) is after it has taken effect and the blood has began to clot; this can be lethal if not recognized quickly.
December 27th
- In the early hours of Friday morning, Hunter's team of surgeons and doctors shared their opinions of not feeling confident that he would survive this catastrophe. They shared that the end result is inevitable and it will not change no matter how much of his intestines are removed or saved. This left Jackie and Emily with the decision of when to remove all life support.
- After hours of grieving and not ready to give up, Hunter remained on life support.
- At last, their prayers were answered. A new set of doctors and surgeons joined Hunter's team with expertise in organ transplants. They contacted a transplant center in Cleveland Ohio and shared with them the situation that Hunter is in. The team at the transplant center along with the new surgeons and doctors felt there was a chance of survival if an intestinal transplant was completed.
- The team needed to complete more exploratory surgeries to fully assess the status of Hunter's intestinal tract and other organs.
- Hunter returned to his room in the ICU decorated for Christmas. During surgeries, the nursing staff decorated Hunter's room with Christmas decorations once they heard how much Hunter loves and enjoys Christmas. They were able to lessen the sedation and Hunter was able to follow commands to squeeze his family's hands and nod yes or no to questions.
December 28th
- Hunter went in for another surgery to remove most of his intestinal tract due to it no longer being viable. He returned from surgery and his team shared their confidence that he still has a chance of survival. The appearance of his liver looked well and blood work showed it to be returning to normal function and he is no longer requiring dialysis at this time. After days of Hunter's abdomen being open for reoccurring surgeries, they closed him up with confidence that this was the last surgery until a transplant is completed.
- The doctors shared they are confident that Hunter is going to make it but he has a long road ahead of him. Jackie could not have gotten a better present on her 50th Birthday! Hunter continued to show strength when sedation was decreased later that day.
December 29th
- Emily and Jackie received a call on their way over to Marshfield. The nurses relayed that Hunter did great through the night, and were able to decrease the medications needed to stabilize his heart rate and blood pressure. They also were able to decrease the sedation even more and he is able to breath unassisted from the ventilator. They believe that he will come off the ventilator today as he continues to progress.
- "When am I going to get out of here" was one of Hunter's first questions after coming off the ventilator. Later in the day therapy had Hunter up and sitting on the edge of the bed with assistance for a couple of minutes.
December 30th and 31st
- Hunter has continued to rest, heal and improve. They took him out of the ICU and he has a room on the hospital floor. He continues to make excellent improvements.
- On 12/31 Hunter's team talked with Cleveland's transplant team and Hunter is scheduled to be transferred to Cleveland to begin the steps necessary to start the transplant process! Hunter will be airlifted in the next couple of days and begin the next stage of this journey.
January 2nd
- After a few days of rest and waiting, the trip to Cleveland is currently on standby due to a health insurance denial. A prior authorization was submitted for this transplant, but the insurance company is denying it because of it taking place out of state. Hunter's team is working to have this decision reconsidered as there are no options within the state for this transplant to take place.
- Cleveland is home to one of the few transplant centers in the world that offer intestinal transplants. The Cleveland Transplant Center is recognized as the largest and best center in the United States for intestinal transplants.
Organizer and beneficiary
Abe Skaw
Organizer
Chippewa Falls, WI
Hunter Custer
Beneficiary