Aaron Reibe Surgery Update
January 4, 2008
Yesterday, I started up a PayPal Donation Option for those wishing to contribute to cover the cost of Aaron Reibe’s surgery for cancer. They are still very much in need of donations, so if you can donate anything at all, go here to do that. I received an update from Nicole, Aaron’s sister, today and wanted to share it all with you.
Aaron got out of his surgery at 11:30 pm last night and is in the ICU. The surgery and heated chemo lasted about 15 hours. The surgical nurse called us during the surgery to keep us posted. This really was a good thing because we rested, relaxed and went to Safeway.
Dr. Sardi came and talked to us after the surgery. The cancer was extensive like the CT scan showed. They removed 60% of his stomach, the appendix, the spleen, as well as parts of the bowel, large and small intestine. Dr. Sardi said the area around the bladder was covered with cancer. He was surprised Aaron could even have gone to the bathroom at all. To my knowledge he was having no trouble. They gave him 26 units of fluids, which is a lot.
He also got a blood transfusion. We saw him in the ICU. With all the fluids he was very puffy. This will go away. The staff said things went well. Aaron will be in ICU for a short time then to his own private room. My mom and grandmother are at the hospital right now and just called. My mom said that Aaron looked a lot better, he is sitting up (a huge accomplishment considering he has no abdominal muscles!), and talking. All the doctors and nurses are saying that Aaron is doing really well.
Insurance is not going to pay for the surgery, so the donations help out so much. We also received a free hotel suite for 3 weeks while we are in Baltimore through some friends donating Marriot points. The hotel is just a few blocks away from the hospital and the staff here is wonderful! Really, three weeks ago, we were stressed out about paying for everything, yet God has provided through our friends and even through strangers. It has really been amazing and a testament to the way God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
Keep praying for Aaron, Nicole and their family and please donate if you can.
Posted in General
Adam Walker Cleaveland: I am a 28 yr old 
January 4th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Yet another insurance story that breaks my heart while making my skin crawl with irritation. Adam, thank you for the update on Aaron. I appreciate the opportunity you’re giving us to not only support him with our prayers but in a financial way as well. Be strong Aaron. You and your family are surrounded in prayer not only by those who know you personally but by those of us who are strangers to you but are moved by your story and your courage.