December 16, 2008

Hello everyone, sorry I have'nt had a chance to update in a while. As you all know, Richard came home two weeks ago today, we continue to be really busy with cardiac rehab 3x a week. He had his fourth biopsy today and we should know the results from that later this week. He has had 3 previously each week since the transplant and all 3 have been 1r (which means mild rejection) which is really good. The scale is 0-3. 0 means no rejection, 1 means mild, 2 is moderate, and 3 is severe so we need to stay away from 3.

Thank you for all the prayers and cards, we really appreciate it and we pray that Richard continues to get stronger every day. We are so blessed to have such caring people in our community. We will keep you posted of his progress and wish you all a Merry Christmas!

November 20th 2008

Richard was able to be removed from the vent today. He is opening his eyes and responding by nodding his head when asked questions. He is slowly being weined off the the sedatives, so he should be more alert in the next couple of days. Not sure if everyone knows this but Saturday is Richard's birthday. He will be 43. He has gotten the best gift ever. We love you Richard and continue to pray for you and your family. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Well today was sure a looong day but we are so happy. We heard about a possible match around 8:30 this morning. It was a go about an hour later and they took him back around 11am. He was back in his room around 7pm this evening and we saw him around 8pm. He looks really good and is doing well. He is pretty heavily sedated which they want to keep him that way overnight at least. Ironically enough it was 2 months ago to date that he had the hernia surgery and they found his heart to be enlarged. Thank you so much for all the prayers and just keep praying.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Richard is doing well today, he is still in ICU at Seton Hospital. Today he was able to get up and start walking again and he looks really good. We are looking at maybe getting moved to a regular room sometime this week. He will remain at the top tier of the transplant list since there have been several problems. Please continue to pray that he doesnt have anymore problems and that he gets a heart soon.

We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to those who participated with the fundraiser. We are truly blessed by living in such a great community. Thanks for your inspiring dedication and generous contributions. Richard really was disappointed he was not able to make it but as you all know he had some omplications and was unable to attend. Your kindness is greatly appreciated!

November 11th

The doctors operated on Richard yesterday around 4:45. They removed more clots around the right side of the heart and VAD. Before closing the doctor watched for any bleeding. The surgery took close to 2 hours. . After the surgery the doctors noticed he was bleeding. They ended up having to perform another surgery around 10pm. A small blood vessel was clamped and the bleeding was stopped. He is being kept sedated and is in stable condition.

November 10th

Richard is going to have have another surgery to remove more clotting on the right side of the heart. The doctors preformed a probe and found the clotting. I will keep you posted with an update as soon as I hear something. They will be going in a little later today.


On November 9th a benefit was held for Richard at the KC hall. It was a huge success. There was a large turnout of friends, family and supporters who turned out for Richard and his family. We would like to Thank each one of you for all the things that you have done for our family. It is greatly appreciated.

Plese continue your prayers for Richard to stay Positive, Healthy, Strong, no more clotting while on the VAD and for a new heart.

November 8th

Richard was taken back to ICU on Friday November 8th. While in the ICU an ECHO was performed and found that there was no fluid around his heart. Please continue your prayers for Richard, Wendy, Brittney, Brandon and Brandy.

October 30, 2008

Richard is in ICU and he is doing well after surgery yesterday. It was about a 6 hour surgery all in all. We saw him about 9:30 and he looked good. We had a really good day on Tuesday, we were able to go by his work and talk to some of his friends and eat out. We went to the ER about 10:30 Tuesday night because he had some leakage from one of the canulaes. (tube in chest that wraps around the heart to help pump) After an Ultrasound they decided to admit him. It seems he had some more fluid building up around the right side of the heart. On Wed. they were either going in to do one of two things, take the right side assist device completely out or just replace it all together. They thought that the right side had become stronger and could possible pump for itself however, after watching it try for about an hour it was decided to replace it.

There is a lady from Flatonia that got her vad the next day after Richard was transferred from Round Rock on Thursday September 25th. Ironically on that Thursday their sons 7th grade team and Brandons 7th grade team played against each other in Thrall that day. Susan received her heart on Tuesday and is doing well. Please pray for each of them. Thanks everyone we appreciate everything.

October 29th

Richard and Wendy moved into the League house on Monday. On Tuesday night Richard had some leakage from one of the canulaes. Wendy took him back to the Hospital Tuesday Night. Please pray for him as he will be going into surgery again today at 2:30.

October 22,2008

Richard had a minor setback this past Saturday where they had to go back in and replace one of the blood pumps. There was a little clotting around one of the tubes (cannulaes) that they were able to remove. By Sunday he was doing much better and Monday he was sitting up in a chair. Tuesday he was moved back to the 3rd floor.

The VAD coordinators, Erin and Mim have been coming out to Thrall, Taylor, and Hutto to educate our local Fire and EMS as we prepare to try to get Richard home to Thrall. They both commented about what a great community we have. We are so very proud to be a part of this community and want to thank everyone for being so caring.

Richard is doing very well. Since being placed on the more portable version of the VAD, Richard has been up moving around. The doctors are really pleased with Richard's recovery. He has been moved to room 356 on the third floor. Richard has also been placed on the top tier of the heart transplants list. His doctors are considering releasing Richard to the Seaton League House. This is a facility for patients who no longer need to be in the hospital but need to remain relatively close to the hospital.

Friends and family of Richard and Wendy are planning a Benefit to help defray some of the costs. This benefit is being held on November 9th from 11am to 9pm. For tickets call Mark Jarosek 512-784-4322, Reisha Stolte 512-461-3577 or Chris Salazar 512-470-7859.

Please keep Richard and his family in your prayers.

October 6, 2008

Richard's recovery from the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) surgery is going really well. He was able to sit in a chair, stand and take a few steps over the weekend. Today he was placed on a more portable version which will allow him to move around more freely. The doctors are really pleased with his recovery. They will be presenting his case to the Transplant review board on Wednesday October 8th. If all goes well he will be place on the Transplant list with a priortiy status of 1A for 30 days. Some other good news is that Richard's blood type is A, which means that he will be able to receive either an A or O type donor. Please keep the prayers up and thank you all for your support.

October 2, 2008

Richard had a Ventricular Assist Device put in on Tuesday the 30th of September, this device will assist in the pumping of his heart. He is recovering from this procedure and is doing very well. The review board at Seton Hospital approved on Wed. for Richard to be placed on the transplant list just as soon as he recovers from this most recent procedure. Thank you everyone for your support during this difficult time. We really appreciate all of your prayers and concern.

Thank you Chris for setting this up for me!!!

Update on Richard...

This blogspot has been created in hopes of messaging out to all of those whom have expressed interest on the health and well being of Richard Valadez and his family durning this difficult time. As news changes the blog will be updated as soon as possible to help keep everyone informed of the progress made. The family would appreciate using this forum as a way to keep communication centralized. Thank you to all who have shown their support and please continue to keep the Valadez family in your thoughts and prayers.