Newcastle Hang Gliding Club

Hey Splint,
You might remember Rick Hunt from Canada that spent some time in
Newcastle a while ago before becoming ill.
Here's a bit of a report on his progress the guys might be interested
in.

Phil

-----Original Message-----
From: Ian McArthur [mailto:]
Sent: Saturday, 24 July 2010 4:51 AM
To: Phil Beck
Subject: Ricky's Condition

Hi Phil,
Just a quick note to bring you up to speed on recent
developments.

A week ago last Thursday Ricky's doctors announced (finally
after months of deliberations) that he was offically on the transplant
list for a new liver. In 2009 the province of Alberta performed TWO liver
transplants. Ricky's odds were not good.

26 hours after being told he was
approved for transplant, Ricky was told they had found a donor in
Saskatchewan. Ricky was immediately transported from Calgary by ground to
Edmonton where he was immediately preped for a surgury that was expected
to last more than 8 hours. After just 5.5 hours the surgeons completed
the complex surgery and Ricky was put into an isolation ward he was
expected to be in for at least a week.

The next day he had recovered sufficiently to be moved to "Recovery"
where he was expected to remain for a week. He was moved to a private room
on the transplant ward the next day. Apparently he heals well.

Ricky made two laps of the 15 metre room day before yesterday. His doctors aren't
quite sure what to make of him. Ricky is bouncing back very quickly.

It's a bit early to make any plans. Liver transplants have a 50% mortality rate in the first 24
months. Only 25% last more than 5 years.Ricky will need to be vigilant
in his habits if he is to survive any appreciable length of time .But
then again, none of us will get out of this alive. Right?

Thanks for your support Phil.

IanPeter Ian McArthur