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Chad’s Story

Site created on September 15, 2019

On the morning of September 7, 2019, Chad was rollerblading to pickleball and had just arrived when he began to experience severe chest pain. His vision began to go and his chest began to burn, with numbing and tingling running down his left arm. He was calling out for help and trying to call 911 from his phone, and by the grace of God a passerby heard him calling. She was able to help make the call for Chad and sat with him until the ambulance arrived, which by that time he had lost his vision completely. He was initially brought to Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro for testing. Once they discovered the reason he was there, he was immediately transported to OHSU Hospital in Portland where he underwent an 8-hour emergency open-heart surgery to repair an aortic dissection.

The surgeons were successfully able to repair the ascending and arch of the aorta, two of the most critical areas, but could not repair the dissection in the descending aorta due to its location being in the abdomen which would require a separate surgery (if needed). Their hope is the stint that was placed during surgery will help direct the blood flow to the correct vessels through his abdomen and lower extremities and that the residual blood that escaped due to the dissection would eventually dry up. As of right now, the medical team is opting to not perform any additional surgeries to fully repair this lower area while Chad heals as they don't want to compromise his organs any further.

After surgery Chad spent a week in the Cardiovascular ICU, where his team of doctors and nurses worked on stabilizing his high blood pressure, oxygen level, and potassium level. From the trauma that his body went through, he ended up losing function of one of his two kidneys, so therefore will live the rest of his life with one. The one kidney that was not compromised seems to be doing it's job at this time, but they are closely monitoring it to see whether or not temporary dialysis will be needed to get it fully functioning. He also has a small blood clot in his right arm, but now that they moved his IVs to his left arm they are hopeful that this will dissolve on it's own and the rest of his swelling from surgery will decrease over time.

As of yesterday, September 15, 2019 he was transitioned out of the ICU to the regular Cardiovasular Unit in the main hospital, located on level 7C in room 6. He has a long road of recovery ahead of him which will require additional time in the hospital and possibly a rehabilitation facility with 24/7 care until he's able to care for himself.

Chad will not be able to return to work for an unknown amount of time so we, his family, are starting a Go Fund Me campaign to raise money that will help cover his everyday expenses, medical bills, follow-up medical care, rehab services, and not to forget the care of his two dogs, Freyja and Gretel.

We are in need of a foster home or two for Freyja and Gretel (boxer/beagle mixes) for a few months until Chad is strong enough to care for them on his own.

Link to Go Fund Me campaign:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/1r7ykhix1c?rcid=r01-156864504884-ae1938c443c04b65&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w

We encourage you to follow Chad's recovery journey here, and please remember Chad in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your continued love and support!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Danielle O'Brien — Nov 11, 2019

As of last Thursday, Chad is now HOME. He's enjoying the last few weeks of November before he's scheduled to return to work on December 1st.

We had a wonderful visit with Chad here in Florida. Our mom kept him busy every day going here or there so they were able to get a lot in during his visit, and my family and I were able to see him often too. My children sure loved having their playful uncle here. He of course needs reminders that he cannot do all the things he wants to do with the kids...but whether he listens to us or not is another story, haha. Attached are a few pictures that I shared on FB of our father's birthday celebration and fun with Chad at our community pool.

Our mom shared with me this morning that Chad is already back to playing pickleball with all of the wonderful people we met while we were in Oregon. He's not running around the court like he used to (at least not yet), but is still managing to play. We just pray that Chad continues to listen to his body so he doesn't overdue it as his body continues to heal.

With very little to update on Chad these days, we will be stopping the journal entries, but with that said...

All of our family would like to take this time to THANK each and everyone of you for the tremendous outpouring of love, support, kindness, generosity, well wishes and continued prayers during this journey with Chad. The acts of kindness we witnessed firsthand from those who barely know Chad to those who know him well was absolutely astonishing, and so heartwarming to know that there are so many people out there who care. We truly could not have navigated through this without all of you, and are beyond blessed to have such incredible, caring people in our lives.

THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! Love, Chad Swanson & Family

Read More of the journal titled "November 11, 2019"

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