Poor Walter Trout
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Mark V Guitars
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cristi tanasescu
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i don't know who this guy is, but at first i read "poor water trout"
fishing has an impact on me, i guess
fishing has an impact on me, i guess
Mark V Guitars
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Thought I'd share the latest message that Walter's wife Marie posted on their donation site.
From Marie, Walter's wife:
"First I want to thank all of you. Walter and I are speechless at how you have rallied around this cause. You have absolutely filled our hearts to the brim with your care and concern. To all of you who have donated: Thank you - thank you - thank you! As we are facing a long period of uncertainty, your contributions are helping Walter relax. The outpouring of love, concern, and prayers from you all is truly amazing. This is healing energy and he feels it!
I am spending a lot of time in the hospital with Walter. He is very weak; he is tired all the time, and he has all the symptoms of end-stage liver disease.
The past two weeks where Walter has been hospitalized have helped him regain his kidney function, and almost cleared the infection that was throughout his body. This is the good news. The bad news is that since he is now doing better, he is no longer a top priority for immediate transplant. He still needs a liver transplant more than ever - and they still figure that statistically this will be within the next "90 days" - but because his kidney function and other vital functions have normalized somewhat, he is further down the list.
He is now "medically stable" and the doctors have determined that the safest place for Walter to be now, is at home with care 24/7.
So Walter will be coming home to me some time next week to continue the wait for the liver there. It is a paradoxical situation: On one level, Walter needs this transplant desperately. On another level, his other organs and body systems are still functioning. These will need to get weak enough that they also fail or are on the brink of failing before he can receive top priority for the transplant.
The livers are allocated depending on need. And whoever needs one most gets it. This is a fair communal system - yet emotionally and individually it is hard. Because basically the message is: "Yes, you need a new liver, but until your other body organs and systems also shut down, you cannot receive priority."
The trick is then to keep his overall cardiovascular and pulmonary condition from deteriorating while he waits. He needs to do so to withstand the operation. He needs to be in good physical condition to withstand the 8-10 hour long operation. This is a tall order, since walking is exceedingly painful for Walter right now.
So we will get home care and Physical Therapy for Walter to start training for this upcoming marathon of an operation. At home, he will be less at risk for infection and some of the other risks that are in a hospital setting. And he will need someone with him all the time.
I will go through some training to know what to look out for. There are a whole host of symptoms that warrant getting Walter immediately to the ER or back to UCLA. We know his day is coming for the operation, but when that is - remains uncertain.
Many of you have asked if there isn't something we can do to speed up the process... and really there isn't. There are no experimental programs at UCLA currently, and a living donor option is not possible. Thank you to you who have offered to be tested as a living donor - but it only works when the patient is a very small person or a child. Walter is too big - even at 120 pounds!
And although it is excruciatingly hard emotionally to watch Walter continue his trek downhill as his liver is failing, it is important for me to keep in mind that this is sacred life we are dealing with here: The gift of life in the form of a donated liver will be afforded to Walter from somebody who is going to die - typically a violent and sudden death.
This process is tender, it is difficult, and it will be life-saving - even as death comes to the donor! And saving lives - saving the most amounts of lives with these sacred donations of organs - is part of what these teams of doctors and surgeons consider each day. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do when it comes to these precious organ donations - all who are on the liver transplantation list are equal: The sickest gets priority.
I feel the whole gamut of human emotions. I love Walter so much. He gives my world colors. He is the most alive and vibrant person I know. And I am determined to keep fighting this battle and do whatever is necessary to get Walter back to living life where he can share his gift with us all. And I have no doubts that this will happen, especially now with your help, love and prayers. This community we are creating here will sustain his faith, help him have peace of mind and enforce his willingness to persevere. It is just a long, long and arduous trek with no shortcuts and no easy solutions. It is marathon upon marathon upon marathon. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Thank you again for your support. We so appreciate each one of you. I hope that you will continue to pray for him. Hang in there with us! It offers us much relief to know we stand shoulder to shoulder with you all. Let's keep the positive energy going.
We are long-distance runners - and we all run this race with Walter!"
- See more at: Walter Trout Needs a New Liver - You Can Help! | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com
From Marie, Walter's wife:
"First I want to thank all of you. Walter and I are speechless at how you have rallied around this cause. You have absolutely filled our hearts to the brim with your care and concern. To all of you who have donated: Thank you - thank you - thank you! As we are facing a long period of uncertainty, your contributions are helping Walter relax. The outpouring of love, concern, and prayers from you all is truly amazing. This is healing energy and he feels it!
I am spending a lot of time in the hospital with Walter. He is very weak; he is tired all the time, and he has all the symptoms of end-stage liver disease.
The past two weeks where Walter has been hospitalized have helped him regain his kidney function, and almost cleared the infection that was throughout his body. This is the good news. The bad news is that since he is now doing better, he is no longer a top priority for immediate transplant. He still needs a liver transplant more than ever - and they still figure that statistically this will be within the next "90 days" - but because his kidney function and other vital functions have normalized somewhat, he is further down the list.
He is now "medically stable" and the doctors have determined that the safest place for Walter to be now, is at home with care 24/7.
So Walter will be coming home to me some time next week to continue the wait for the liver there. It is a paradoxical situation: On one level, Walter needs this transplant desperately. On another level, his other organs and body systems are still functioning. These will need to get weak enough that they also fail or are on the brink of failing before he can receive top priority for the transplant.
The livers are allocated depending on need. And whoever needs one most gets it. This is a fair communal system - yet emotionally and individually it is hard. Because basically the message is: "Yes, you need a new liver, but until your other body organs and systems also shut down, you cannot receive priority."
The trick is then to keep his overall cardiovascular and pulmonary condition from deteriorating while he waits. He needs to do so to withstand the operation. He needs to be in good physical condition to withstand the 8-10 hour long operation. This is a tall order, since walking is exceedingly painful for Walter right now.
So we will get home care and Physical Therapy for Walter to start training for this upcoming marathon of an operation. At home, he will be less at risk for infection and some of the other risks that are in a hospital setting. And he will need someone with him all the time.
I will go through some training to know what to look out for. There are a whole host of symptoms that warrant getting Walter immediately to the ER or back to UCLA. We know his day is coming for the operation, but when that is - remains uncertain.
Many of you have asked if there isn't something we can do to speed up the process... and really there isn't. There are no experimental programs at UCLA currently, and a living donor option is not possible. Thank you to you who have offered to be tested as a living donor - but it only works when the patient is a very small person or a child. Walter is too big - even at 120 pounds!
And although it is excruciatingly hard emotionally to watch Walter continue his trek downhill as his liver is failing, it is important for me to keep in mind that this is sacred life we are dealing with here: The gift of life in the form of a donated liver will be afforded to Walter from somebody who is going to die - typically a violent and sudden death.
This process is tender, it is difficult, and it will be life-saving - even as death comes to the donor! And saving lives - saving the most amounts of lives with these sacred donations of organs - is part of what these teams of doctors and surgeons consider each day. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do when it comes to these precious organ donations - all who are on the liver transplantation list are equal: The sickest gets priority.
I feel the whole gamut of human emotions. I love Walter so much. He gives my world colors. He is the most alive and vibrant person I know. And I am determined to keep fighting this battle and do whatever is necessary to get Walter back to living life where he can share his gift with us all. And I have no doubts that this will happen, especially now with your help, love and prayers. This community we are creating here will sustain his faith, help him have peace of mind and enforce his willingness to persevere. It is just a long, long and arduous trek with no shortcuts and no easy solutions. It is marathon upon marathon upon marathon. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Thank you again for your support. We so appreciate each one of you. I hope that you will continue to pray for him. Hang in there with us! It offers us much relief to know we stand shoulder to shoulder with you all. Let's keep the positive energy going.
We are long-distance runners - and we all run this race with Walter!"
- See more at: Walter Trout Needs a New Liver - You Can Help! | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com
Mark V Guitars
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Not sure if it's fair. Doesn't seem like it. He's still got a failing liver, with literally days left, but they need to wait until the other organs go into failure mode. I don't know, but my own logic tells me that a person would have a better chance of recovery and health if the bad organ was replaced before the rest failed.
Not just saying this because it's Walter, but for anyone needing a transplant. Just one other of life's mysteries to ponder I guess.
Rich
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I hear ya. To me, it makes more sense to put a transplant into someone who is more likely to survive and benefit from it especially since they've been waiting but I guess they view it as who has the most critical, immediate need. I don't know which philosophy is more "right."
On the bright side, the fundraising goal has gone over the top - $127,534raised of $125,000 goal!
On the bright side, the fundraising goal has gone over the top - $127,534raised of $125,000 goal!
Kashmir
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Seems like an excellent argument for stem cell research, imo.
RedSkwirrell
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So many sad and mad things about this whole story.
Only recently discovered Walter Trout.
What a shame.
Get well soon sir.
Only recently discovered Walter Trout.
What a shame.
Get well soon sir.
cristi tanasescu
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hope he gets well..
Mark V Guitars
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From Marie:
Lately I have found a routine where I get up at 4AM to avoid the crazy 405 LA freeway at its most teeth-grinding rush-hour gruesomeness. This routine works well to make the 45 mile long commute from Huntington Beach to UCLA. I then nap in the back of the car and take a walk until it is an appropriate time to wake up Mr. Trout! Walter is happy to see me for breakfast, and today I snuck in a freshly baked flaky croissant for him. His appetite has been non-existent lately, so this little cheat helped a bit.
We have news about his leg: After an ultrasound, an X-ray, a MRI, and another specific kind of diagnostic ultrasound, the doctors have determined that there is a torn tendon and a hematoma in his left calf. This is what has caused him agony when he has tried walking for the past three weeks of course combined with the swelling in both legs and his abdomen from the liver disease. A course of treatment is now in the works. Furthermore, after I summoned the infectious disease specialist yesterday, he determined that Walter needs additional antibiotics intravenously to combat a topical infection on his leg.
None of this will have any implications on him qualifying for the operation, when his number comes up. And none of it should have any long-term implications. So this is good. It also means that they keep him in the hospital for the next week or so.
We are both getting good at going with the flow. We thought Walter was coming home but now he is staying at UCLA for a while. And all the while his liver and kidney numbers are steadily worsening. And that is what is expected of course. Hopefully soon, the numbers will be so bad that Walter can be considered for a new liver. This is one of those gotta get worse before it can get better scenarios. It takes a tremendous amount of mental, emotional and spiritual strength to get through.
Walter is handling it with a lot of grace. I keep reminding him of all the fun we will have when he is better. How the kids and I once again will go on the road with him. This is when Walter feels the most alive: when his family, his band family, and his fans and friends are all around him at the same time, and he can go out and merge it all together with the heartbeat of the Universe and express it through music.
I wake up in the morning and I feel as if I have a beam of light going straight from my heart to Walter. I send him light and love many times during the day. I hug him in person and from afar. I tell him that whenever he gets tired of doing his leg exercises or his breathing exercises that he needs to do it for me. I cannot imagine life without him. It is NOT an option! I look in his eyes and I see his soul speak without words. We hold each other and cry together. No words. No words can adequately describe what we feel.
Once in a while, we sit together and read the comments that you all post on this site. And they surround us with moments of peace and a sense of love. We feel you out there and I cannot tell you enough what each one of you mean to us.
Love,
Marie
- See more at: Walter Trout Needs a New Liver - You Can Help! | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com
Lately I have found a routine where I get up at 4AM to avoid the crazy 405 LA freeway at its most teeth-grinding rush-hour gruesomeness. This routine works well to make the 45 mile long commute from Huntington Beach to UCLA. I then nap in the back of the car and take a walk until it is an appropriate time to wake up Mr. Trout! Walter is happy to see me for breakfast, and today I snuck in a freshly baked flaky croissant for him. His appetite has been non-existent lately, so this little cheat helped a bit.
We have news about his leg: After an ultrasound, an X-ray, a MRI, and another specific kind of diagnostic ultrasound, the doctors have determined that there is a torn tendon and a hematoma in his left calf. This is what has caused him agony when he has tried walking for the past three weeks of course combined with the swelling in both legs and his abdomen from the liver disease. A course of treatment is now in the works. Furthermore, after I summoned the infectious disease specialist yesterday, he determined that Walter needs additional antibiotics intravenously to combat a topical infection on his leg.
None of this will have any implications on him qualifying for the operation, when his number comes up. And none of it should have any long-term implications. So this is good. It also means that they keep him in the hospital for the next week or so.
We are both getting good at going with the flow. We thought Walter was coming home but now he is staying at UCLA for a while. And all the while his liver and kidney numbers are steadily worsening. And that is what is expected of course. Hopefully soon, the numbers will be so bad that Walter can be considered for a new liver. This is one of those gotta get worse before it can get better scenarios. It takes a tremendous amount of mental, emotional and spiritual strength to get through.
Walter is handling it with a lot of grace. I keep reminding him of all the fun we will have when he is better. How the kids and I once again will go on the road with him. This is when Walter feels the most alive: when his family, his band family, and his fans and friends are all around him at the same time, and he can go out and merge it all together with the heartbeat of the Universe and express it through music.
I wake up in the morning and I feel as if I have a beam of light going straight from my heart to Walter. I send him light and love many times during the day. I hug him in person and from afar. I tell him that whenever he gets tired of doing his leg exercises or his breathing exercises that he needs to do it for me. I cannot imagine life without him. It is NOT an option! I look in his eyes and I see his soul speak without words. We hold each other and cry together. No words. No words can adequately describe what we feel.
Once in a while, we sit together and read the comments that you all post on this site. And they surround us with moments of peace and a sense of love. We feel you out there and I cannot tell you enough what each one of you mean to us.
Love,
Marie
- See more at: Walter Trout Needs a New Liver - You Can Help! | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com
Mark V Guitars
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An update from Walter's wife.
Marie Trout:
I sure hope the Lord gives him a second chance at life...not just for his boys and wife, but to reconcile with the man upstairs. Here's for another round of prayers for strength and comfort for his family and quick healing for him. Geez.
Marie Trout:
I sure hope the Lord gives him a second chance at life...not just for his boys and wife, but to reconcile with the man upstairs. Here's for another round of prayers for strength and comfort for his family and quick healing for him. Geez.
NashvilleCat
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Thoughts are with him and here's hoping he has many more playing days ahead.
Kashmir
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Updated yesterday (4-30-2014) by Marie:
Today marks three weeks since Walter and I arrived in Nebraska. I wish I had better news to report. Walter is reaching a state of encephalopathy that is unnerving. He is confused, tired, nauseous and uncomfortable. It is due to very high levels of ammonia in his bloodstream. Since the liver is not doing its job filtering the impurities, they go into his blood and therefore also to his brain. It will go away when they insert that new liver!
Today was a day of spending time in his presence but not really making much contact. He was frustrated and sad, because he could tell that he could not communicate much, and felt powerless. I ended up doing what I often do in those kinds of situations: I climbed in bed with him and just held him. I rocked him gently. We fell asleep like that, and holding his frail body was the best way of connecting today. We both felt better. Our bodies communicated where words could not: the love between us nurtured us. I study his back in those moments, and I can see every vertebra in his spine, the contour of his shoulder blades, and the tendons in his neck. I watch each labored breath, and I feel his body cling to life in spite of all it is going through. I am not anxious. I feel at peace knowing we both do everything we can. I feel love for him and that is what I concentrate on.
Yesterday, we decided that instead of being frustrated about the long wait, we would simply refer to the operation as happening tomorrow. Always tomorrow! And thus assume that it is right around the corner. When tomorrow comes and no liver is available yet, we will still refer to it as “tomorrow”. Much like in the movie, Groundhog Day, where learning to make the most of what is, breaks the spell. Time stands still for us until “tomorrow” actually does arrive with that liver. One day, it WILL be tomorrow and the surgery will take place. And we will not get any further ahead of ourselves than “tomorrow”.
And maybe that magical tomorrow will be soon. I have a feeling that we are getting closer. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens when I am LA over the weekend! Yes, that is right….. The doctors have assured me that it is OK, and Walter insisted a few days ago that I get the ticket to go. I will leave Friday and come back early Sunday. Here is the reason: our middle son, Mike, who is an excellent drummer, has his final show in the Academy of the Performing Arts before he graduates High School in a month. He has been in this program for four years, and the final show is significant--a rite of passage-- for the seniors. Walter and I could not imagine not being there for that. Mike will be performing throughout the show each night this weekend.
I am working to shake the feeling that I let down one of my loves no matter what I do. It is the final show for Mike. And it could be surgery time for Walter without me there. However, Walter’s doctor assured us that it is OK that I go. He feels that no matter what, the staff at the hospital has everything under control, and even if the surgery happens while I am gone, they got it covered. I don’t know…. Walter’s point of view is: What if you sit here all weekend, and the surgery doesn’t happen? Then you will kick yourself for not being there for Mike. It is true. I wish I could clone myself to be in two places.
And we will see. I am still very torn about it.
I made another visit to the grocery store today. Buying staple foods, cooking, and writing is my new therapy; glimmers of normalcy. And as alone as I feel at times, I am covered in the love that you send my way. When you read what I write here; I feel that you surround us with a protective sense of calm.
I watched a boy about Dylan’s age play in the rain on my way back from the grocery store today. He was wearing red shorts and a yellow shirt that sat tight around his bulging belly. He seemed a bit clumsy and insecure. He was somebody’s son. And that somebody might not even realize how lucky they are to have him in their lives.
No matter how far my loves are from me; one in Denmark, two in California, one with me here in Nebraska – they are on my mind all the time. And I never ever will take any of them for granted for a second again. And by extension, life in general! I marvel at the life force; the hawk that flew over the river this morning, the blossoms on the cherry trees, the wind in my hair, the rain on my cheeks. Why is it I spent so much of my time previously concerned with the shortcomings of my life or of my loved ones, when each breath and each encounter, even with perfect strangers, each look, each smile, each telling sigh, each drop of rain, each flower, each moment is a magnificent gift?
I knew that before – yet I didn’t have a clue!
Today marks three weeks since Walter and I arrived in Nebraska. I wish I had better news to report. Walter is reaching a state of encephalopathy that is unnerving. He is confused, tired, nauseous and uncomfortable. It is due to very high levels of ammonia in his bloodstream. Since the liver is not doing its job filtering the impurities, they go into his blood and therefore also to his brain. It will go away when they insert that new liver!
Today was a day of spending time in his presence but not really making much contact. He was frustrated and sad, because he could tell that he could not communicate much, and felt powerless. I ended up doing what I often do in those kinds of situations: I climbed in bed with him and just held him. I rocked him gently. We fell asleep like that, and holding his frail body was the best way of connecting today. We both felt better. Our bodies communicated where words could not: the love between us nurtured us. I study his back in those moments, and I can see every vertebra in his spine, the contour of his shoulder blades, and the tendons in his neck. I watch each labored breath, and I feel his body cling to life in spite of all it is going through. I am not anxious. I feel at peace knowing we both do everything we can. I feel love for him and that is what I concentrate on.
Yesterday, we decided that instead of being frustrated about the long wait, we would simply refer to the operation as happening tomorrow. Always tomorrow! And thus assume that it is right around the corner. When tomorrow comes and no liver is available yet, we will still refer to it as “tomorrow”. Much like in the movie, Groundhog Day, where learning to make the most of what is, breaks the spell. Time stands still for us until “tomorrow” actually does arrive with that liver. One day, it WILL be tomorrow and the surgery will take place. And we will not get any further ahead of ourselves than “tomorrow”.
And maybe that magical tomorrow will be soon. I have a feeling that we are getting closer. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens when I am LA over the weekend! Yes, that is right….. The doctors have assured me that it is OK, and Walter insisted a few days ago that I get the ticket to go. I will leave Friday and come back early Sunday. Here is the reason: our middle son, Mike, who is an excellent drummer, has his final show in the Academy of the Performing Arts before he graduates High School in a month. He has been in this program for four years, and the final show is significant--a rite of passage-- for the seniors. Walter and I could not imagine not being there for that. Mike will be performing throughout the show each night this weekend.
I am working to shake the feeling that I let down one of my loves no matter what I do. It is the final show for Mike. And it could be surgery time for Walter without me there. However, Walter’s doctor assured us that it is OK that I go. He feels that no matter what, the staff at the hospital has everything under control, and even if the surgery happens while I am gone, they got it covered. I don’t know…. Walter’s point of view is: What if you sit here all weekend, and the surgery doesn’t happen? Then you will kick yourself for not being there for Mike. It is true. I wish I could clone myself to be in two places.
And we will see. I am still very torn about it.
I made another visit to the grocery store today. Buying staple foods, cooking, and writing is my new therapy; glimmers of normalcy. And as alone as I feel at times, I am covered in the love that you send my way. When you read what I write here; I feel that you surround us with a protective sense of calm.
I watched a boy about Dylan’s age play in the rain on my way back from the grocery store today. He was wearing red shorts and a yellow shirt that sat tight around his bulging belly. He seemed a bit clumsy and insecure. He was somebody’s son. And that somebody might not even realize how lucky they are to have him in their lives.
No matter how far my loves are from me; one in Denmark, two in California, one with me here in Nebraska – they are on my mind all the time. And I never ever will take any of them for granted for a second again. And by extension, life in general! I marvel at the life force; the hawk that flew over the river this morning, the blossoms on the cherry trees, the wind in my hair, the rain on my cheeks. Why is it I spent so much of my time previously concerned with the shortcomings of my life or of my loved ones, when each breath and each encounter, even with perfect strangers, each look, each smile, each telling sigh, each drop of rain, each flower, each moment is a magnificent gift?
I knew that before – yet I didn’t have a clue!
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