Richard Bates' Double Lung Transplant

Denis(e) Richard Bates' Double Lung Transplant (Scleroderma Voice, Scleroderma Foundation, MA (USA) March 2007,pp.14-15),in Madeleine  Strong Cincotta, editor, Scleroderma Outlook (No. 168 August 2009)

Denis(e) was still convinced that her inkling of scleroderma was still the source of what was ailing her husband. She had been in contact with the Scleroderma Foundation and she was convinced the disease was the center of his medical issue(s). after the biopsy, his fingers began to swell, his lips began to thin and his face tightened. However, there was nothing wrong withy his blood: his ANA (anti-nuclear antibodies) blood test was negative.

While poring through the Scleroderma Foundation Web site http://www.scleroderma.org) Denis located a medical article authored by Philip Clements, M.D. on Raynaud's Phenomenon. ( Symptoms of the condition are characterized by discoloration to fingers or toes, usually brought on by cold temperatures). Many, but not all, people with scleroderma start out with Raynaud's. The article jogged Denise's memory, giving her another clue into what was bothering Richard. In 2000, Richard was diagnosed with Raynaud's. Now Denise was convinced Richard had scleroderma.

Diagnosis confirmed

Taking matters into her own hands, Denise telephoned Clements, a UCLA professor of rheumatology, and member of the foundation's Medical Advisory Board. Dr. Clements invited the Bates to California, and when he saw Richard he immediately confirmed Denise's hunch: Richard had scleroderma. he entered Richard into the Scleroderma Lung Study at the university.

The first course of action was to prescribe the cancer drug, Cytoxan in pill form. Still beset by breathing troubles, Richard nonetheless decided to drive to Colorado to attend his daughter Valynda'(s) wedding. The Bates failed to tell Richard's doctor of their travelling plans, and if they had, they probably would have been prohibited from going. The thin air in Colorado significantly compromised Richard's ability to breathe. the fibrosis also obstructed the flow of oxygen into and out of his lungs.

"By that time, he was in terrible shape. he couldn't walk for long or digest food easily. His weight dropped from 210 to 136 pounds, "Denise said.

This was around thanksgiving of 2004, wh3n his condition was at it's worst. That was also the first time the word "transplant" was broached by Dr Clements.

'I was thinking we needed a stem cell transplant but Dr Clements said that won't change his breathing: Denise said." What he really needed was a lung transplant."

Expensive prescription drugs Viagara and Bosentan were ordered and helped Richard breather, but they were seen as symptom relievers, not a panacea.

Transplant time

It is said desperate times require desperate measures, and this was one of those times. Through Dr. Clements' coordination, Richard became a candidate for a lung transplant at UCLA. lung transplant surgeries are rare: they are even less common among scleroderma patients.

"Only a handful of scleroderma patients can have the surgery because the procedure is considered very risky," Denise Bates said.

Amazingly a donor lung was found in five days. Medical staff flew to Las Vagas, collected the lungs and transported them back via helicopter to Los Angeles. on May 31, 2005, ( the same day Valynda went into labor with her first child) Dr. Abbas Ardehali led the transplant team, and in five hours Richard's surgery was finished and he was placed in the intensive care unit. A week later he was discharged. On June15, Valynda delivered a healthy baby boy named Lucas.

"Normally the surgeries take 8 - 10 hours and patients stay in the hospital much longer than Richard did," Denise said. "Because he did not suffer from fibrosis for years and years and had no residual problems, he just bounced back quicker. It's really rather remarkable."

Today, Richard is back working in computer maintenance, and his breathing is fine.

"Pulmonary-wise, I am doing excellent, "Richard said. 'The only problems I have are GI related and keeping the acid down.

"Prayer and God have gotten me through this. It's been a miracle,"he said.