He was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit and has been on life support ever since.
After several tests, Arthur was diagnosed with Influenza A and a fungal infection in the respiratory system. At that stage he hadn't made much progress which puzzled the medical team. After many more tests they then discovered that Arthur was also suffering from Good Pasture Syndrome Disease which is a rare Auto Immune Disease.
Arthur's hospitalisation has been a roller coaster ride due to many set backs along the way and at this stage he has been in ICU for 43 days.
Our Mum, Jocelyn travelled from our family home in Cairns to be by our dad's side in Townsville. This has now become our home away from home which has obviously incurred many expenses for accommodation and travel etc.
It will be a long road ahead both physically and emotionally for our dad and our family due to the fact that he will be unable to work for a long period of time. Our Mum has had to leave her job to support Dad in Townsville and also to become his carer while he goes through rehabilitation.
Many of you have reached out by calling,messaging and asking if and what you could do to assist us at this difficult time, so we humbly ask that you partner us as we endeavour to take financial pressure off our parents.
We would like to thank you all in advance for your kindness, generosity, care and prayers.
If you have any questions please feel free to email by using the contact button on the site page.
Once again thank you for your support!
Natalie, Rahela, Laura & Matthew (Perry)
UPDATE FROM ARTHUR 26th of May 2016
In my last update I advised of my transfer from Townsville Hospital with the Royal Flying Doctors Service to Cairns Base Hospital.
Whilst recuperating I thought it was a good idea to fill you all in with some more details of what I encountered whilst in ICU ( 56 days) at the Townsville Hospital.
Initially I was admitted with Renal Failure, Pneumonia and Influenza A, which resulted in me being placed in isolation.
With my health deteriorating, I was put into a induced coma. They could see I was progressively getting worse with no improvement. I was in this life support state for 30 days.
During this time Renal Failure continued, so the dialysis machine became a constant companion. At times the dialysis machine had trouble coping with my thickening blood. To combat this, heparin was administered to thin the blood. Unfortunately I am one of the five percent of Australians who are allergic to this drug and may have resulted in a attack of HITS, by all accounts I was extremely lucky to pull through this.
After coming out of the sedated state I was very confused ( to say the least) for the next 10-14 days. I encountered some
setbacks with my right lung collapsing, shingles and breathing failures. I stayed on in ICU for 56 days in total.
My collapsed lung still had not reflated completely however doctors decided I was okay to move to the general medical ward. On my second day there, my right lung began to reinflate without the need for invasive surgery. The human body is fascinating in that it has the ability to repair and heal itself. With this great news, I was then transferred to Cairns Base Hospital on day 68.
My stay here at Cairns Base Hospital was for 5 days. A kidney biopsy was performed to get a definitive answer as to whether I actually did have the autoimmune disease good pastures syndrome or not. This is what I was being treated for and which I responded to the medication given.
The treatment/ medication was a cocktail of chemo/ steroids and other prescribed drugs. Of course we and the medical team did not want me to remain on this medication long term, if not required. The drain from my lung was removed and I was discharged on Friday the thirteenth of May from Cairns Base Hospital.
I was so happy to get out and finally back home! I have been resting as I have a fourteen day recovery period after my kidney biopsy.
On Monday, Jocelyn and I attended the Renal Clinic for the results of my biopsy. We are so happy to share with you that the results show " I DO NOT HAVE AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE - NO GOOD Pasture Syndrome !!"
I have already been taken off the chemo medication and now in the process of reducing the steroids and other medication. This in short, means I do not have to live the rest of my life with a low Immunity to catching other diseases, or having to take drugs to suppress the Good Pasture Auto Immune Disease.
Yes, I have baffled/surprised the Doctors/Specialists with my unique case, so much so, that they have asked permission to use my journey as a Case Study for further Investigation & Reference. This I have agreed to, as if it helps someone else to overcome similar problems, it is a win for everyone.
I couldn't have asked for a more positive end to this roller coaster ride which I have put myself, family and friends through. Now I can concentrate on my rehabilitation.
Once again I thank you all for your constant love and support through this difficult time. It's greatly appreciated by Jocelyn and myself.
Regards,
Arthur Herbert (R.V) Perry
Whilst recuperating I thought it was a good idea to fill you all in with some more details of what I encountered whilst in ICU ( 56 days) at the Townsville Hospital.
Initially I was admitted with Renal Failure, Pneumonia and Influenza A, which resulted in me being placed in isolation.
With my health deteriorating, I was put into a induced coma. They could see I was progressively getting worse with no improvement. I was in this life support state for 30 days.
During this time Renal Failure continued, so the dialysis machine became a constant companion. At times the dialysis machine had trouble coping with my thickening blood. To combat this, heparin was administered to thin the blood. Unfortunately I am one of the five percent of Australians who are allergic to this drug and may have resulted in a attack of HITS, by all accounts I was extremely lucky to pull through this.
After coming out of the sedated state I was very confused ( to say the least) for the next 10-14 days. I encountered some
setbacks with my right lung collapsing, shingles and breathing failures. I stayed on in ICU for 56 days in total.
My collapsed lung still had not reflated completely however doctors decided I was okay to move to the general medical ward. On my second day there, my right lung began to reinflate without the need for invasive surgery. The human body is fascinating in that it has the ability to repair and heal itself. With this great news, I was then transferred to Cairns Base Hospital on day 68.
My stay here at Cairns Base Hospital was for 5 days. A kidney biopsy was performed to get a definitive answer as to whether I actually did have the autoimmune disease good pastures syndrome or not. This is what I was being treated for and which I responded to the medication given.
The treatment/ medication was a cocktail of chemo/ steroids and other prescribed drugs. Of course we and the medical team did not want me to remain on this medication long term, if not required. The drain from my lung was removed and I was discharged on Friday the thirteenth of May from Cairns Base Hospital.
I was so happy to get out and finally back home! I have been resting as I have a fourteen day recovery period after my kidney biopsy.
On Monday, Jocelyn and I attended the Renal Clinic for the results of my biopsy. We are so happy to share with you that the results show " I DO NOT HAVE AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE - NO GOOD Pasture Syndrome !!"
I have already been taken off the chemo medication and now in the process of reducing the steroids and other medication. This in short, means I do not have to live the rest of my life with a low Immunity to catching other diseases, or having to take drugs to suppress the Good Pasture Auto Immune Disease.
Yes, I have baffled/surprised the Doctors/Specialists with my unique case, so much so, that they have asked permission to use my journey as a Case Study for further Investigation & Reference. This I have agreed to, as if it helps someone else to overcome similar problems, it is a win for everyone.
I couldn't have asked for a more positive end to this roller coaster ride which I have put myself, family and friends through. Now I can concentrate on my rehabilitation.
Once again I thank you all for your constant love and support through this difficult time. It's greatly appreciated by Jocelyn and myself.
Regards,
Arthur Herbert (R.V) Perry
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