Mike Diaz's Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Benefit Site

Mike is doing much better and his physicians say he will recover. He was taken off the ventilator completely and is breathing on his own, with very little fluid draining from his lungs. His main issue now is agitation and confusion for being under anesthesia for so long. His team is trying to slowly wake him up without him getting agitated. No visitors yet, however we hope to get him home soon. Again, his team says he will make a full recovery, which is the great news!

For those who have not heard, Mike had to be checked into Ochsner late last week with pneumonia in his right lung. Early Saturday morning, his oxygen levels dropped and he was moved to ICU. A bit later he was intubated and sedated to help his body recuperate. As of this writing he is doing better. His lungs have less fluid and he is pretty much breathing on his own. They expect to wake him up tomorrow. I will post more updates as I get them. Please continue to keep Mike in your prayers.

I had a great time with friends and family completeing the 34th Annual New Orleans Crescent City Classic (10k/6mile) road race on April 7th. The support from everyone is was unbelievable as always. I had absolutely no issues breathing during the entire event. The LUNGS felt great!! The only thing physically to report was occassional cramping in the muscles of my calves. My monthly physical check up on Mon. April 23rd went great. No changes to medication necessary. I want to thank everyone that contributed to our Garage sale on Sat. April 28th!

This is the video of Michael Diaz's interview on Fox 8 News this morning. Mike spoke to Shelley Brown about participating in the Crescent City Classic after receiving a double lung transplant last May. Mike is doing the Classic to raise awareness about organ donation. You can purchase the t-shirt they are wearing for $20 each. All proceeds from t-shirt sales will go to assist Mike and his family with medically related expenses. If you would like to purchase a t-shirt, please send me your contact info and I'll call you with the details. If you are out of town, I will cover shipping costs.

IT HAS BEEN A CRAZY RIDE THESE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS...TOO MANY CHALLENGES TO EXPLAIN. THERE ARE SO MANY OF YOU THAT I HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUITY TO SPEAK WITH PERSONNALLY. HOWEVER, I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I THINK OF YOU GUYS. I LAUGH AT GREAT MEMORIES THAT REALLY SPARK UP MY ATTITUDE WHEN SOMETIMES WHEN IT COULD BE EASY TO FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF. 49 PILLS A DAY CAN AFFECT YOUR MINDSET SOME DAYS. HOWEVER, EACH AND EVERY ACT OF KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY TOWARDS MY FAMILY DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED.

T-Shirts to support Mike Diaz in his recovery are now available for a $20 donation per shirt in M/L/XL sizes, payable by cash or check. If you would like to purchase a t-shirt, please send me a private message (http://www.facebook.com/jasonpaulgutierrez) with your order (quantity and sizes) and contact number and I'll call you with the details.

T-Shirts can also be purchased at:
Mariano's Eatery
12371 Highway 90
Luling, LA 70070
985.785.7781
985.785.7777

Please sponsor Mike's 10-k walk/run by donating:
$2 per kilometer or $20,
$5 per kilometer or $50,
$10 per kilometer or $100,
or whatever amount you want.
Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated.

This year I have chosen to participate in the New Orleans Crescent City Classic!..its a 10k race...appx. 6.2 miles that starts in the French Quarter and ends in City Park. I will run, jog, walk, crawl and whatever else it takes to finish the race. It is my absolute wish to bring just enough attention to Organ Donation that It will save at least one persons life. I would like people who normally do not give organ donation any serious thought to consider becoming organ donors.

Thank you guys for keeping in touch. I made 9 months alive since the transplant as of Feb. 11th. Other than the swelling in my face and slight fluid retention, You would not know that i had a double lung transplant unless I told you! LOL well let me take that back. If you saw me taking my medicine, you might have a clue that somethings up since i do take over 40 pills/capsules a day! it seems a bit much but ive learned to swallow 7-8 -9 at a time to minimize the production/shock factor of the whole process. I do take medicines such as prograff, prednisone, valcyte, cellcept..etc.

It has been a crazy ride this year but we made it!...I can not thank each and everyone of you enough for the support you have given myself and family this year. You all have truly been a blessing. I am home still recovering from this transplant. I feel very good most of the time. I breath unbelievably now. I have gotten some color back to my skin and am back up to 175 ILBS. from 135 after the surgery. I take over 40 pills and caspsules combined each day. I am on a higher dose of prograf so the swelling in my face is still pretty obvious.