clenz
October 11th, 2022, 05:52 PM
UNI punter Cael Loecher remains 'critically stable' at U of I Hospital MICU (wcfcourier.com) (https://wcfcourier.com/sports/college/uni/football/uni-punter-cael-loecher-remains-critically-stable-at-u-of-i-hospital-micu/article_dbc08320-3651-5d71-a511-fbb55be91f32.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share)
Ten days ago, the Cedar Falls native was flown from UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital to the University of Iowa Hospitals where he was diagnosed with a form of vasculitis -- granulomatosis with polyangitis (formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis) -- which can be fatal.
Tuesday The Courier received an update on Loecher's condition from his mother, Lisa.
“The doctors consider him critically stable right now,” Lisa Loecher said.
The ordeal began with what Cael Loecher originally thought was a cold.
His mother said Loecher had told her he had not been feeling 100% since UNI’s trip to Colorado Springs, where after the Air Force game he complained of a consistent cough that he attributed possibly to the thin air in Colorado.
....
After receiving medicine on his first trip to the health center, Cael returned the next day not feeling better. It was recommended he go to the ER at Allen.
At that time, Loecher's biggest concern was whether UNI head coach Mark Farley would allow him to at least be the place holder for that Saturday’s game with Indiana State. Cael never made it to the game with the Sycamores on Oct. 1.
...
“Then a pulmonologist ran a scope on his lungs and they were filled with blood from the air sacs (alveoli) bursting. At that point he was going to be airlifted to either Mayo or Iowa City, whomever called first. I think we were at the ER at 9 a.m. and on a helicopter by 11:30 a.m.”
...
Cael has been incubated and on a ventilator that pushes oxygen into his lungs since arriving in Iowa City. In the first two days in the University of Iowa’s medical intensive care unit Loecher underwent four or five blood transfusions, but it has been a week since his last transfusion.
“The doctors have put him in what they call paralyzed sedation, which allows his lungs to rest as much as possible,” Lisa Loecher said.
More details in the article.
I can't imagine what his family is going through. His mom was watching his brother punt at Oregon State as this all went down. Having to try to support from across the country is almost impossible to comprehend.
I have no idea what you do to stop this from continuing to be a problem. I assume all the transfusions are trying to push those WBC out of the body. I would guess they'll pump him with chemo like drugs to kill the immune system temporarily to get it under control.
**** football, I just hope he gets to continue live a life at this point.
Ten days ago, the Cedar Falls native was flown from UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital to the University of Iowa Hospitals where he was diagnosed with a form of vasculitis -- granulomatosis with polyangitis (formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis) -- which can be fatal.
Tuesday The Courier received an update on Loecher's condition from his mother, Lisa.
“The doctors consider him critically stable right now,” Lisa Loecher said.
The ordeal began with what Cael Loecher originally thought was a cold.
His mother said Loecher had told her he had not been feeling 100% since UNI’s trip to Colorado Springs, where after the Air Force game he complained of a consistent cough that he attributed possibly to the thin air in Colorado.
....
After receiving medicine on his first trip to the health center, Cael returned the next day not feeling better. It was recommended he go to the ER at Allen.
At that time, Loecher's biggest concern was whether UNI head coach Mark Farley would allow him to at least be the place holder for that Saturday’s game with Indiana State. Cael never made it to the game with the Sycamores on Oct. 1.
...
“Then a pulmonologist ran a scope on his lungs and they were filled with blood from the air sacs (alveoli) bursting. At that point he was going to be airlifted to either Mayo or Iowa City, whomever called first. I think we were at the ER at 9 a.m. and on a helicopter by 11:30 a.m.”
...
Cael has been incubated and on a ventilator that pushes oxygen into his lungs since arriving in Iowa City. In the first two days in the University of Iowa’s medical intensive care unit Loecher underwent four or five blood transfusions, but it has been a week since his last transfusion.
“The doctors have put him in what they call paralyzed sedation, which allows his lungs to rest as much as possible,” Lisa Loecher said.
More details in the article.
I can't imagine what his family is going through. His mom was watching his brother punt at Oregon State as this all went down. Having to try to support from across the country is almost impossible to comprehend.
I have no idea what you do to stop this from continuing to be a problem. I assume all the transfusions are trying to push those WBC out of the body. I would guess they'll pump him with chemo like drugs to kill the immune system temporarily to get it under control.
**** football, I just hope he gets to continue live a life at this point.