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Jadem6 stumbled... but hasn't fallen. Yet.

If I am overstepping the line in writing on my own initiative... please be tolerant with me. Moderators are most welcome to consider if this is appropriate.

This is about JD Macrae, known to most of us as Jadem6 or the JD behind Jade Audio --one of the most meticulous audiophiles & generous with his knowledge (see his recent classic on diy cables). I have corresponded with JD, on & off over the past ¬10 years... & although I live 1/2 round the world, JD has been a friend from afar, so to speak.
Now JD needs us, all of us...

Few know that JD is an architect by trade, husband, & father of three children, who suffered a huge heart attack around 12 years ago. With a 4-ple bypass & only ¬20% of his heart function left, JD abandoned his previous life. He adapted to a new lifestyle & of course, so did the children and his wife Julie. Against all odds & medical expectations JD is still with us, albeit with very limited capabilities of late (you've probably noticed he's not posting that often...).

To put it bluntly, JD needs a heart transplant to go on living. Further and following that, JD will need medication & medical attention constantly, to keep the new heart from being rejected and ticking happily -- for the rest of his life.
His family needs the money to pay insurance premiums (thank God he has some cover), doctors, tests, & medication costs, on a monthly basis.

The National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is trying to help JD & his family; NFT is helping the family organise a support campaign.

I urge you to visit www (dot)transplants (dot)org; select "patients we help" and search for J.D. Macrae, where the story is clearly outlined.

In short, any support helps (unfortunately, JD is not in Government bail-out league!).

JD will also need stamina, courage, and love from family and friends'; I'm certain he has plenty of that.
gregm
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,475 posts
 
JD,

I phoned you a while back about a "cable recipe" and you emailed it to me, what a NICE guy !!

You hang in there, we need you here, my prayers are out to you, your family and bears !

All the best, and a full, healthy recovery, God Bless.

Your Friend,

Pat
gregm OP
3,396 posts
 
JD, old boy,
...maybe I’ll win the lotto... I hear you need to buy a ticket to win
I'll get the ticket;
You get well.

Then we can all ride together...
phillykid
35 posts
 
Jd, my prayers will be with you and your family in your search for a heart donor, and successful recovery. All the Best...Bill
3ox
29 posts
 
I had a ham radio friend who had a transplant, lots of stories.

When they found a heart for him, they flew it in by copter (in a styrofoam beveridge cooler packed in ice, no less) and showed it to him before the operation. As he later said, "How many people can say they have seen their own heart?"

One of Joe's medications turned his skin quite dark and one day we were stopped by a police officer while driving. Aparently, the officer thought he was black and kept looking at Joe, then looking at the driver's license that pictured a obviously white Jewish gentleman, then looked back at Joe... Finally, Joe asked (in his Philly accent) if there was a problem. The officer handed him his license back, just said "No" in an exasperated voice and walked away!

The point is that Joe had some wonderful years after his transplant and had a ball. JD, I hope you have as great a journey as Joe did.

Kevin
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,074 posts
 
Hi Kevin,

I love the story, thank you. The jock at our house is:

"The phone rings and I am told the heart is on the way. I wake up my daughter (she has been studying heart transplants over the Internet, and hopeful is up to speed). Next comes the knock on the door, the gentleman states he has my heart in the cooler, and wishes me good luck as he drives away. See the cost of the heart is one thing, the surgery is another."

Of course this is just something we kid about, trying to keep the journey a positive one. We are always trying to find things to laugh about, and I think we do well. The lead up to this transplant is hard as my health seems to fade weekley. I just got back from a couple days at the hospital. The preformed another anagram so they can look inside my arteries and bypasses. Turns out the second of my four bypasses has closed up and yet another is also closing. This explains the continued dizziness and hard breathing. It also helps explain the pain I feel more often than not.

The thing about this who process is you need to get sick enough to get help, yet being this sick makes muscle lose and fitness level continue to decline. I just hope I get to the day with some of my body function good. I do love the concept of feeling good again, and like your friend, making these coming years fun and worth living for.

Again thanks for the story,

jd
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