Some think of Fort Davis' DMR (Davis Mountains Resort) as a retirement community. And to resident, Rodney Lewallen, it is, to some extent. Now more than ever. Retiring in 2001 from his 16 year stint as Callahan County's Chief Appraiser, Rod packed up and permanently relocated from the outskirts of Abilene to the West Texas desert mountains in search of his dream. A dream which was unfortunately lost, almost as quickly as it was attained.
Just last year Rodney's import/export business was featured in the El Paso Sun Times. It was an entertaining article about Insects International, a locally based operation Rod purchased in 2000 and shared with his brother, Greg. And though Rodney's health suffered during the following years, impacting his ability to work, Rod still managed to stay involved. He even managed to occasionally teach classes, and offer part-time consultation when called upon by his former peers in the tax appraisal profession.
After completing an aggressive medical treatment in 2004, Rod's hepatitis C virus was successfully in remission (a virus which can result in, and accelerate, cirrhosis of the liver). Now that the virus was inactive, acceleration of cirrhosis would slow, if not cease all together. Though Rod was busy and things a bit chaotic, the beginning of 2005 promised to be a good year. With a 3 year old granddaughter and another on the way, Rod looked forward to an upcoming Los Angeles insect fair and his May wedding. Everything seemed to be falling into place, despite Rod's liver disease. His dreams were becoming a reality. And virtually all of Rod's family was making the May Fort Davis trek from his Waco hometown to share in his happiness. That is, until the nightmare began...
Less than one week before guests were to start arriving in Fort Davis for the wedding, they were called and informed that Rodney was hospitalized. Profuse internal bleeding had become shockingly evident and Rodney was rushed to Alpine, and given 5 units of blood while being flown to Abilene for an emergency procedure (Ironically, Rod likely contracted HCV from a blood transfusion while hospitalized in 1979 after an auto accident).
Shortly after admission to ICU, the bleeding was finally stopped but Rodney's condition was grave. His liver disease had escalated to hemorrhaging varicies; a serious end-liver disease condition. Rod was comatose in intensive care and chances of recovery were improbable. Shocked and devastated by the drastic change of events, loved ones changed their plans and traveled to Abilene to see Rodney; some to say their goodbyes, and some hopeful he'd live.
So what had happened? Why had Rodney's condition accelerated and so rapidly reached end-liver disease status? The reasons soon became clear. It was an accumulation of causes which impacted Rodney so severely; mental stress, physical exertion, chemical exposure and lack of medical attention had taken their toll. And the virus was back. The liver had all but shut down, effecting the function of every other vital organ. Even if Rodney woke from his coma, would his heart, lungs, kidneys and most importantly his brain, function adequately, if at all? There were no answers.
Rodney remained mentally unresponsive and physically unstable in virtually every aspect. On the seventh day doctors had scheduled another brain scan and neurological testing; both of which were miraculously preempted by Rodney's unexpected responses. He'd finally responded to his doctor. Though his eyes remained closed and a breathing tube prohibited speech, Rodney was answering questions by nodding. Rodney was finally coming out of the coma. And his fiancŽ, daughter, and mother couldn't have been more elated. They'd been with Rod 24/7 and finally their most prevalent prayers were being answered. Rodney was waking.
By the next day Rodney's breathing tube was removed, his vitals were stabilized, and he quickly proved healthy brain function by frequently mimicking Forrest Gump, ÒMy mama told me life is like a box of chocolates...Ó Rod was poking fun at himself and his inability to speak normally. He had his faculties.
Though he struggled to speak clearly, Rod was good humored and seemingly on his way to initial recovery, And on the very date originally planned for his Fort Davis wedding, Rod insisted on a marriage ceremony. So, with 12 family members and a hospital chaplain crowded into ICU, Rodney and his fiance Phyllis were married (only 3 days after waking from the coma). And by midnight, Rod was moved to a private hospital room with a roll-away bed; a Òhoneymoon suiteÓ where he and his new wife would reside for another 3 weeks.
In those following weeks, Rodney and Phyllis experienced extreme ups and downs. The hepatitis C virus they'd worked so hard to eradicate, was active again and Rod's condition became a lengthy roller coaster ride. While suffering and surviving multiple additional life threatening complications, both Rod and his wife managed to cope. They dealt with legalities, business affairs and financial obligations while juggling medical logistics and their own emotions. But in that relatively short process, their lives changed drastically...
Rodney and Phyllis are now back in Fort Davis, and though they're happy to finally be home, they can't live in their small mountain side cabin anymore because of its isolation (in the event of emergency). Nor can they move forward with their modest home building plans. Rod doesn't own a part of Insects International anymore, as he is unable to work as needed, and the exposure to the related chemicals pose added health dangers. In addition to their monthly medical check up excursions to Abilene, and daily monitoring of stress, diet, vitals and activity, Rodney and Phyllis now focus on the logistics of a needed liver transplant; the priority of which is meeting the related criteria.
In order to receive a new liver, meeting advance requirements is necessary: medical evaluation, transplant list inclusion and pre medication. All of which needs to be done before Rodney suffers another emergency. Since Rodney's condition has escalated to esophageal varicies, further hemorrhaging could be even more life threatening than his recent episode. Although another bleeding episode could place Rod at the top of the list for an emergency transplant, the surgery will not happen if he has not already met the advance requirements.
The fact is, it's not easy to get on the transplant list if uninsured. There are financial aide possibilities, including disability and Medicaid, but they take time, crucial time. So, the quickest and most sure way of moving forward with a transplant is via a $200,000 hospital deposit. With current medical expenses exceeding $170,000, money has now become the primary obstacle in obtaining this lifesaving procedure.
Facing the realities of the situation has been very difficult. Rod's wife, Phyllis Arp-Lewallen, and his daughter Lauren Monsey, have founded a non-charitable organization on Rodney's behalf, the Lewallen Liver Fund. Donations are beginning to trickle in, and many of Rod's family and friends have joined in on the fundraising process. Prayers were answered and Rodney beat all odds by surviving his recent episode. And though his sister-in-law, Tammy Lewallen, shares Rod's blood type and has offered to be a live liver donor, time is running out.
How you can help...
1) Make a cash or monetary donation.
2) Attend or contribute to an upcoming fundraiser.
3) Help organize a benefit event or donate a service.
4) Pray, empathize and remain positive!
Lewallen Liver Fund, P.O. Box 1632, Fort Davis, Texas 79734
Fort Davis: 432-426-2636 or 432-426-3344
Did you know? Hepatitis C virus...
is known to have infected up to 170 million persons worldwide.
may have already infected 4 million Americans.
is a leading cause in the rejection of donated blood.
is the leading cause of cirrhosis and results in most of the liver transplants in the United States.
is generally not screened for during annual medical check ups.
may be transmitted by sharing razor blades, toothbrushes, and nail clippers.
is a risk for those who received blood transfusion before 1992.
For further press information contact Phyllis Arp-Lewallen at 432-426-3344.