Scripture

"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." -John 11:4


“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”.-Romans 8:28


"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
-John 14:26


“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world”.
-1 Peter 1:7

Why Fundraising?

During Ray’s time at the Mason Transplant Clinic at Piedmont, the transplant team highly advised that he begin fund raising for the liver transplant and ongoing medical bills and health care. The cost for the transplant itself before insurance is appxromitly $400,000.000 There will also be added cost such as doctor visits (before and after), tests, lab work, hospital stays (length depending on how well his body accepts the new organ), a minimum of 8-11 monthly prescriptions (raging from $11.00-$3,300.00) and a minimun of 3 to 6 months out of work with no salary or pay for recovery time, and any other medical care involved. Our goal is to raise around $70,000.00 and this number is only based on the transplant going smoothly and "by the book"! Please check back in every so often to learn about future fund raisers!

What is End Stage Liver Disease? (Cirrhosis)

Cirrhosis (sih-ROW-sis) is a term used to describe scarring of the liver. Your liver is a large organ that sits in your upper abdomen. The liver carries out several essential functions, such as detoxifying harmful substances in your body, purifying your blood and manufacturing vital nutrients.

Cirrhosis occurs in response to chronic damage to your liver. With mild cirrhosis, your liver can make repairs and continue its role in the body. But with more advanced cirrhosis, more and more scar tissue forms in the liver, making it impossible to function. A number of diseases and conditions can cause the chronic liver damage that leads to cirrhosis.

October 29th 2009

Good Morning!!

>

> We have a few small updates about Ray!

>

> We went Monday to Piedmont Hospital and stayed over night for a Transplant Evaluation. They basically did many tests including MRI, EKG, Bone Density, blood work, pulmonary tests, ECHO test...just to name a few. The basis of the tests are to make sure he is healthy enough for a transplant. So far, the only test that has come back showing a little problem is the bone density test. He has osteopenia..which isn't osteoporosis, but a level just below that. It is caused by his end stage liver disease. He is taking a prescription and over the counter Caltrate to help slow it down!

> http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/tc/osteopenia-overview

>

> Yesterday, all of Ray's results were presented in front of the transplant team committee. We have not heard the results yet and should be contacted early next week.

>

> We tried to get another idea from the transplant team nurse practitioner while we were at Piedmont and just asked her where things would go from here and what we should expect as far as being on the transplant list. She checked with the doctor on the transplant team and told us that usually if the MELD score is 12 or higher, they list you. We were told at the 1st meeting a few weeks ago that the number had to be 15 or higher. Ray is a 13. We will know for a definite when we receive the call from our coordinator what will happen. Please keep that in your prayers.

>

> After talking with our insurance company, we have come to a goal that we need to fund raise to cover medical expenses that insurance will not. Our goal is around $70,000. This should cover what insurance will not of the actual transplant, living expenses when Ray is post transplant and is not working, current and post transplant medication, current and post transplant doctor and hospital visits and stays. This amount is based on if everything goes by the book and there are no complications. Anything above and beyond what is needed in the end and is left over will be donated to the American Liver Foundation.

>

> I send out an email when our account with the Ga Transplant Foundation is set up. It will take about 3 more weeks. All donations made to that account are tax deductible and they will match every dollar for a dollar up to $10,000.00.

>

> In the mean time, for the many people who have asked where they can donate now, I have added a donate link to my paypal account. The link is:

>

> https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9279828

>

> We will also be having a Spirit Night Fund Raiser at Chick Fil A in Covington Ga tomorrow night October 30th from 5-8 pm. 15% of all sales between 5-8 pm will be donated to Ray's cause. We are praying for an abundant turn out. Please keep this event in your prayers as well, and if you are able, we would love to see you there and have dinner with you! We will be there all 3 hours. We will also have a few great raffles going on!

>

> Please continue to keep us and Ray and your prayers. We are completely speechless at the out pour of love and support from friends, family and people we hardly know!

>

> We love you and thank you for being here for us in this time of test and trials!

> May God Bless you,

> Krystle and Ray

>

> "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." -John 11:4

October 7th 2009

Good Afternoon!

>

> Thank you all for your concern and prayers for Ray. We have just received some news...good and bad, and wanted to share it.

>

> I am going to try and explain things the best I can and as simply as I can, since we have learned a lot of new things and vocab, I want to be able for you to understand it as well, so you know what I am saying!

>

> Earlier, I think I mentioned a little thing called a Meld Score. A meld score is a number that the transplant doctors get from blood test to determine where the patient ranks as far as needing a transplant.

>

> This may help understand and explain it better:

>

> (End stage liver disease is the new "politically correct" term for Cirrhosis)

> What is MELD? How will it be used?

> The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) system was implemented February 27, 2002 to prioritize patients waiting for a liver transplant. MELD is a numerical scale used for adult liver transplant candidates. The range is from 6 (less ill) to 40 (gravely ill). The individual score determines how urgently a patient needs a liver transplant within the next three months. The number is calculated using the most recent laboratory tests.

>

> Lab values used in the MELD calculation:

> * Bilirubin, which measures how effectively the liver excretes bile;

> * INR (formally known as the prothrombin time), measures the liver’s ability to make blood clotting factors;

> * Creatinine, which measures kidney function. Impaired kidney function is often associated with severe liver disease.

>

> Within the MELD continuous disease severity scale, there are four levels. As the MELD score increases, and the patient moves up to a new level, a new waiting time clock starts. Waiting time is carried backwards but not forward. If a patient moves to a lower MELD score, the waiting time accumulated at the higher score remains. When a patient moves to a higher MELD score, the waiting time at the lower level is not carried to the new level. The clock at the new level starts at 0. (Example: Patient has a MELD score of 15 and has been at level 11-18 for 100 days. With new laboratory tests, the patient’s MELD score is 22. The patient moves to a new MELD level of 19-24. The patient’s waiting time at this new level starts at 0 days). Waiting time is only used as a tie-breaker when patients have the same MELD score.

>

> The four MELD levels are:

> * greater than or equal to 25

> * 24-19

> * 18-11

> * less than or equal to 10

> We met with his hepatologist as well as the liver transplant team yesterday, and found out the results of the Meld score test today. Ray was scored at a 13. While this is not bad, per say, it is not so good either. You must score at least a 15 to be put on the list for a transplant. So thankfully we are not at that level right now. However, if your score is a 10 or higher, the next step is to go for an over night stay at Piedmont for an evaluation. They should be calling us in 1-2 weeks to set up that stay for us. During his evaluation, he will undergo many test to make sure he is healthy enough to withstand a transplant. The evaluation will include: lab work, radiology tests such as MRI, Chest Xray, Bone density scan, Cardiology test such as EKG and Echocardiograms, and pulmonary tests.

>

> The Wednesday following his overnight stay, all his results will be reviewed by the selection committee of the transplant team and they will then determine at that point what will be the next step for him/us!

>

> We were able to meet with members of the transplant team yesterday and it went very well. We met: 1 of the 4 surgeons, 1 of the 2 social workers, 1 of the 2 nutritionists, and our Liver Transplant Coordinator. We had a great impression of them all and were very satisfied with their knowledge and care.

>

> The social worker has suggested that we highly consider fund-raising to help with medical bills that obviously already started coming in and will continue from this point on. If we do make it to the actual transplant, the post transplant medications range from $11.00 to $3,315.65 dollars (before insurance) but with several being around $1,000.00 and others being in the high hundreds for just a 30 day supply, we will def. have some out of pocket costs. There are 8-11 post op. meds he will have to have.

>

> We hopefully plan to start some sort of fund-raising by the beginning of next year, if not sooner. Ray and I could never ask for money, so we are hoping to plan some fun events! I will def. keep everyone updated so when the time comes, if you would like to participate in what ever we are raffling or selling,(what ever the Lord allows us to do) you will know the details! If you have any ideas for fund raising that would suit our situation, please please feel free to let me know! We have just began brainstorming!

>

> Thank you all again for so much love, support and prayers!

> God IS in control.

>

> Love,

> Krystle

September 17th 2009

Good Morning All!!

We have a some new updates. Ray's doctor called him 2 nights ago and let him know that they couldn't find anything wrong with the MRI, blood test, and urine test....everything was normal!! He said that we are just back the fact that Ray has Cirrhosis and still doesn't know why. That is great news, because as you know there were some possible things it could have been, that would not have been so good!



On the other hand, the doctor is going to run a few more blood test and wants to see Ray for a follow up near the 1st of October. We also will be meeting with the liver transplant team so we can be associated with them, in case we need them in the future. (that is a routine procedure).



Ray has had to change his diet due to the Cirrhosis, and that has made a big difference in the way he feels, although he still has his good and bad days, due to the circumstances, he seems to be feeling well more days than bad, lately.



Please continue to keep Ray, our family, and Dr. Rubin and his staff in your prayers!!

Thank you!

Love,

Krystle

"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." -John 11:4

August 28th 2009

> Good afternoon!

>

> Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for Ray and our family! A lot of you have asked for me to keep you updated, and we have a little more news. We did decide on a hepatologist (liver specialist) at Piedmont Hospital, Dr. Ray Rubin. We realized that we have been so blessed when we walked into his office yesterday. He and his staff were so kind and a pleasure to deal with. We were both very impressed. Dr. Rubin was very thorough and spent a great deal of time talking with us. They seem to have a wonderful liver team and Piedmont currently has the best rating for liver transplants.

>

> He did say on a grading scale, like school grades with A being a good student and C being a bad student, Ray's liver is like a A- or B stage, as far as he can tell for now. We still have to have his liver biopsy slides sent over from Rockdale Medical to see if he sees anything they may have over looked and he wants Ray to have an MRI on Sept. 8th. We will also be meeting with a Transplant team in a few weeks. Not that Ray will have to have a transplant, but to be acquainted with them and find out anything we need to know and be prepared for in the future, just in case.

>

> Dr. Rubin doesn't have a prognosis or any evidence yet as to what is causing the Cirrhosis, but just from what he has gathered thus far, he is thinking that it may be:

>

> 1. Autoimmune hepatitis. This form of hepatitis is caused by the body’s immune system attacking liver cells and causing inflammation, damage, and eventually cirrhosis. Researchers believe genetic factors may make some people more prone to autoimmune diseases. About 70 percent of those with autoimmune hepatitis are female.

>

> 2. Wilson's Disease:

> http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/wilson/

>

> http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/000785.htm

>

>

> Between these two possibility's (and it may be neither one) Ray and I are leaning more towards the Wilson's. He seems to fit that profile more. Dr. Rubin is conducting a few tests to check this one out.

>

> For now, he has upped the dosage on one of his medications that helped control the varices vein from enlarging and bleeding. Ray has his good and bad days. The bad days consist of fatigue and aching joints. But over all, he is doing well. We have been so blessed to have such a supportive and caring staff at Jasper County High School, where Ray teaches. Thank you all so much. You do not know how much that means to Ray and I. He hates to be out of work at anytime, but having so much kindness and and understanding has taken some of the stress off Ray at such a scary time as this!

>

> Please continue to keep Ray and our family in your prayers. Please don't worry...just pray!!

>

> I will continue to keep you updated!

>

> Thank you all again.

> God bless you.

> Love,

> Krystle

>

> 1 Peter 1:7 -These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

> Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

August 14th 2009

> Thank you all for all your thoughts, prayers, concerns and support!

>

> Ray had a follow up visit today and we had good and bad news! The good news first is Ray doesn't have cancer. It wasn't a huge concern, but def. one that needed to be ruled out! The bad news is that he does have Cirrhosis of the liver. They could not tell us how bad it is,or even what is causing it. He doesn't the fit the normal profile for Cirrhosis (i.e...drinking alcohol and Hepatitis A,B, or C) that is why they have referred Ray to a Liver Specialist in Atlanta. We are working on getting some recommendations, but would love any advice or referrals any of you might have of a liver specialist aka Hepatologist at either Piedmont, Emory or St. Josephs.

>

> Besides all this, Ray is feeling really good! His internal bleeding has stopped and his blood level is stabilized. Playing the waiting game is the hardest part for us, however, God has graced me with his mercy and peace, and all we can really do is let Him take care of Ray and continue to have faith and trust in Him.

> Just a few verses to share that keep me going...they are good for all times, not just in this time.

> "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord." Jer 17:7-8

>

> "Christians are commanded to stop worrying", Lk 12:29.

>

> "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Ps 55:22

>

> "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7

>

> Thank you all for your love and support!

> And I will continue to keep you updated!

> Love,

> Krystle

August 7th 2009

> Good evening everyone!

> God is so good!

> Ray was discharged this evening!

> He had the biopsy of his liver and the fluid taken today and those are being sent to the lab but won't have results until next week. He will also have his bone marrow tested next week. The oncologist is not concerned with any of these, but want to be able to see the results to narrow the search and cover all areas. He is more focused on the enlarged spleen. He believes that the spleen is what caused the bleeding and fluid on the liver. And he also has pretty much come to the conclusion that his loss of blood and lethargic feelings have been going on for quit some time and it is all related to the spleen, and that is what we are really hoping that it is! If the spleen is the problem and they can not make it better, then they can remove it, which we have been told is a very common procedure and do not need our spleen anyways!

>

> We are slowly putting together some pieces of the puzzle that make sense now that didn't make us think twice before!

>

> With the bleeding stopped and plenty of blood, Ray feels wonderful and is so glad to be home!

>

> Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and concerns!

> We love you and will let you know if anything changes for the worst!

> Krystle

August 6th 2009

Good Evening,

> Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts!

> Ray is stable and has pretty much stabilized his blood. Originally, I didn't mention anything about his blood problem, but when we first got there, his hemoglobin count (I think that is what it was called) was 6.2 and they said they like it to be between 10-12. So they gave him a blood transfusion of 3 units (3 bags) of blood and he has been staying at around 9 so far. They seem happy with that and are expecting his blood to start to build up on its own.

>

> His colonoscopy came back clear today and all is well there. They can not find the underline problem where and why he is bleeding. His liver has fluid on/around it and his spleen is enlarged.

> Tomorrow they are going to: take a biopsy of his liver and take a sample of the fluid and send it to diagnostics. And have an oncologist examine his spleen.

> Thank you for your continued prayers and emails! They are all so special to us. We have such compassionate and caring family and friends!

> I will continue to keep you updated as we learn new information!

>

> Thank you all again so much.

> God Bless,

> Krystle

>

August 4th 2009

I know most of you haven't heard about any of this, it just happened fast and I haven't been able to get on my email, but wanted to send this update out and ask for your prayers!

>

> In a nutshell....

> Ray got sun poisoning and went to the doctor and he gave himpredinzone. We googled it and determined that Ray had started showing all most all the serious side effects plus internal bleeding showed up when he had a b.m.

>

> After 2 1/2 days of bleeding, Ray decided he needed to go to the hospital. We went to the ER at 6:00 am Tuesday morning and after hours of waiting, they finally admitted him. He has had an Endoscopy and CT scan. They said the Endoscopy was clear..he couldn't see any problems in the stomach, except that the varices vein was enlarged.... so that has pretty much ruled out ulcers, which is what we originally thought it might be. They haven't really explained the results of the CT scan yet, but went ahead and put an order in for him to have a Colonoscopy this morning at 9:30 to see what he can determine from that end up to his lower abdomen area!

>

> This is something Ray's doctor mentioned today that could be related or possibly be causing Ray's bleeding and other symptoms.

> http://www.ecureme.com/emyhealth/data/Esophageal_Varices.aspIt is related to the varices vein he saw that was enlarged. It sounds really scary, but hopefully it is not this or at least full blown, yet.

>

> I am trying to stay positive and not worry myself! We just pray that they are able to find out what is causing the bleeding for sure and are able to fix it soon..if God doesn't heal him first!

>

> He is at Rockdale Medical room 227 and his direct line is 678 413 7227. My cell is 678 859 2828 if anyone needs to get in touch with me!

>

> We have been so blessed to have Frances and Nana to help out with Ansley, so I can be with Ray. Nana will have Ansley today and that will allow me to spend most of the day with there with Ray.

>

> Thank you all in advance for your prayers. I will try and check my email from my cell phone mobile web to answer any emails back and send any updates!!

>

> Love,

> Krystle