Mike’s Story

Site created on August 18, 2021

In July, Mike went into the hospital due to complications from Covid-19. It has been a long journey of ups and downs, and he still has a long way to go. Mike started just on 100% forced oxygen for two weeks and never got better. On August 5th, the doctors put him onto a ventilator to give his body a rest from all the fighting he was doing. The next day the doctors decided that Mike needed to be put on ECMO. ECOM is where they take blood out of the body, oxygenated it, and then put the blood back in. That day the doctors decided he needed to be considered for a lung transplant. Everyone started taking the necessary steps to see if he was a candidate for the lung transplant and talked to the Ohio State University transplant team. Once OSU accepted Mikes's case, they transferred him to their hospital on August 12th. The transfer went smoothly, and he is now settled in his ICU room at OSU. Now, the doctors are waiting for a series of tests to come back before deciding if he is a good candidate for a lung transplant. On top of all the tests being done, Mike has now picked up a secondary infection and is trying to fight that off as well. The doctors are working very hard to help Mike get better. 

While this was all happening, Joan, Mike's wife, had never left his bedside, except when the nursing staff would ask her to leave at night. Kind, happy, and positive thoughts for her would be very much appreciated. 

What Mike's family needs right now from everyone is lots of prayers and positive thoughts. 

Newest Update

April 21, 2024

Journal entry by Mike Kaster —

I finally got the call I was waiting for on February 23, and received the gift of life (a donated lung) on Feb 24. Recovery from the surgery was rocky for about 10 days, being put on and off the ventilator a couple of times as my body was adjusting to the new lung. Note I’m saying “singular” lung, as the surgeons felt it was most prudent and safest to replace just one lung. 

So for the past 8 weeks I have been working on my recovery. And while the journey to recovery has actually been harder this time, I continue to make progress, and expect to return home very soon. My hope is that shortly after returning home, I can then return to work at least part time to start. 

This has been a life changing 2 yrs and 9 months since contracting COVID, the root cause of all this. But I sit here today feeling better and getting stronger every day. 

I thank EVERYONE for all the prayers and positive wishes. They have definitely been felt and have helped me every day. I look forward to the day I see everyone again. 

Mike
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