Well, it's been a bit over 6 months since David received his new lungs and thing are going great. He's out and about, making appearances at conventions, shows and just showing his appreciation for everyone's help, financially as well as well wishes and prayers.

David is the cover subject of the January 2014 issue of Magic Magazine. Here is the cover shot of David using his new lungs to blow up his purple power balloons. It's a fantastic article and you can get a copy of the magazine directly from Magic Magazine.

Please visit David's Facebook page for up to the moment news about his remarkable recovery.

 THE CAPTAIN OF TEAM PURPLE SCORES!!!!! 

SAFE AT HOME !!! 

FANTASTIC NEWS !!!! 

WELCOME HOME !!!!

David still has a long way to go but this is a major step in his complete recovery. Here's how you contact him with your well wishes or you can send cards and letters to his home at:

www.facebook.com/domagic

 

David Oliver

141 Audubon Road

Weymouth, MA 02188

Remember he still needs our financial help. 

 

Status Update on August 20
By David Oliver...
Freedom!

Last of the chest tubes has finally been removed. 

No tubes. 

No machines. 

No O2. 

All D.O.

Here's a long overdue update on David's progress. This is great news!

Hello Devoted David Followers,

Just  a quick update,  but I am happy to let you know that David was transferred to a rehab facility. This a major milestone on his recovery journey!  It took a little longer than planned because David experienced some minor setbacks, but he and the doctors worked through them and they thought he was ready  leave the hospital and start the next phase of his recovery.

At this facility David will be able to continue to focus diligently on his regaining his strength and learning about/ adjusting to  some of the life changes as a transplant recipient. Recovery after such a long illness and major surgeries  takes time.  Although David is finding it frustrating at times and has his good and bad days, he is still pushing forward. He requests at that this time that visitation remain limited so that he may remain focused on getting stronger so that he may head home.  Thank you for your understanding.

When will David be home?  Still not quite sure, the Doctors at the Rehab facility still need to evaluate his specific case and determine what is the best course of action to speed along his recovery. It is a long term care facility so I am assuming (and this is just me) that it will be at least a couple of weeks.

As always, thank you form the bottom of our hearts (David, mine, and rest of family’s)  for all the love and support you have shown him thus far!!!!

If you would like to send a card or correspondence, the new address is as follows:
David Oliver – Hussey
Spaulding Rehab Hospital
3rd Floor South – Rm 305
1575 Cambridge St
Cambridge MA 02183

Take care!
Lisa

____________________________

Some more exciting news to report:
Brian Foshee of Happy Amp fame is also helping David out by donating proceeds from a Marty Hahne tshirt he designed. I am late in writing this as some size tshirts are out of stock, but maybe if more people want to buy these, he could reorder them.



Brian writes: I just couldn't resist making this shirt!!! So I contacted Marty Hahne and he said OK! We agreed all proceeds will go to David Oliver (fellow magi and teacher of mine from Tannen's Magic Camp) for his lung transplant.

If you have not yet seen the national news coverage Marty Hahne and his rabbit has made with his USDA rabbit disaster relief plan check out some of the articles here-

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-07-16/politics/40610671_1_rabbit-magician-u-s-department

http://www.infowars.com/marty-the-magician-speaks-out/

http://www.times-herald.com/opinion/20130721-Alex-Column

Pick your size at check out-
http://happieamp.com/save-the-rabbit-t-shirt-proceeds-for-david-oliver.html

______________

Last but not forgotten: If you want to be part of "Team Purple" and support David and help him out with mounting medical bills, you can make a donation (at top right of this page). For a minimum donation of $5.00 we would be happy to send you a purple wristband you may proudly wear to show your support for David. (See past posts to view photos of others that wear this wristband.) Please send me more photos of you wearing them to include in future posts. here are the latest group of photos:

SAM Assembly 17, Springfield, Massachusetts

Santa himself. (Tom Gentile, Dean of Assembly 17)

Marlene Clark & Dan Sclare (SAM Secretary & Life Membership Chairman, respectively)

____________________

Thanks again, everyone, for taking the time and interest in reading this blog. Please pass the link to this blog on to friends, fellow performers and everyone else you can think of. Even tho David is on the path to recovery, and we all can't wait until he is on stage again, his financial problems are still here. PLEASE DONATE what you can. If you have already donated, please donate again. Every $5 helps and if you can, please donate more.

Go Team Purple !

Steve Wronker

Please do not stop your generous donations for David.Now more than ever, David's hospital bills are pilling up. Use the Paypal link donate and receive one of the DO Magic For David Oliver purple wristband.

Here's exciting news about our friend, David's recovery. And I want to thank Shawn Farquar and the International Brotherhood of Magicians for the video.

This update first from Lisa,

Hello,

I know many of you have been anxiously awaiting some more news..….it has been a while since the last update because there were no major changes to report.

David and the Doctors have been taking things day by day; each day coming up with a plan of care and making progress.  His recovery has been focused on building up the breathing strength and function of the new lungs and also trying to build up/ recover David’s overall physical strength.

The patience and fortitude has paid off……. As of now, there are no signs of infection or rejection and Doctors feel that the lungs are looking good!   And yesterday, David was able to beat his personal best for assisted walking steps!  These are all good signs that he is making forward progress on the recovery path.

The most significant sign came last night when they moved David from the post transplant room to a general ICU room.  It is not the transplant step down unit yet, but it is still a milestone to be recognized and celebrated!!!   Visitation is still restricted, and although we know many of you are eager to get in and see him, please respect David’s and the Doctors’ requests and refrain from visiting until the appropriate time.  

David sends his love and THANKS for all of the messages and support you have provided thus far! He has been able to check messages and e-mails. He wanted me to express his sincerest apologizes that he has not been able to get back to everyone! (Last count was 800 e-mail in his inbox)  Recovering is exhausted work, but does try to get online and respond when he is able. 

If you would like to send a card or letter, please send it to the address below:

Massachusetts General Hospital
Attention: David Hussey
Blake
Fl. 8   Rm. 78
Boston, MA 02114-2622

Thank you as always to you, the incredible cheerleaders!!!!!

Take care,

Lisa 

 

and here's the IBM video:

 

David, all our thoughts and prayers are with you everyday.

Steve Wronker

PS... I am still looking for photos of everyone wearing your DO Magic For David Oliver purple wristband. Send your photo to me at swronker@gmail.com

Here's the latest update on David Oliver. Yay!!!

"David is doing well. Doctors are very pleased with his progress so far! David is still on oxygen as his body adjusts and the lungs get stronger, but the flow rate is 1-5 liters….. instead of the 40-50 liters that was required pre-transplant. Pretty amazing!

There is still a long road ahead to full recovery. To use an analogy that a nurse used the other day, a lung transplant is not like buying a whole new car; it is more like getting a broken part replaced, for example a busted tire. After the new part has been installed the car doesn’t automatically run perfect. It can take time and care for the rest of the car to adjust to the new part, like needing an alignment.
Doctors are working to adjust David’s medications to reach his personal perfect balance. Physical therapists are working with David daily to strengthen his lungs and his body. The time waiting for lungs and the actual surgery has left David pretty weak and he easily tires, but every day he challenges himself and is making great progress! The hope is that David will continue to do well and may be transferred out of the ICU in a few days. In the meantime, if you wanted to send a card, please send them to the address listed below:

David has started to check his messages again and says he continues to find your well wishes a great source of strength and inspiration, especially on the tougher days and thanks everyone for traveling with him on this incredible journey. Thank you all for your various forms of support!

Take care,
Lisa


David Oliver
C/O David Hussey
141 Audubon Road, Apt 201,
Weymouth MA, 02188

At the National Convention last week, this was The Society of American Magician's get well message to fellow magician David Oliver. David has successfully undergone a double lung transplant.

Well, the good news we've all been waiting for has finally arrived. David was admitted into the hospital over a month ago waiting for this day. Yesterday he was taken in for his double lung transplant. After a very lengthy successful surgery, David was admitted to the ICU. As of this morning David and his new lungs were doing fine. This is just the first step, now begins the long recovery.

David still needs your help as his bills still keep on coming. We have ordered and received more purple wristbands, as the first order of 1000 has sold out. You generous donations are still very much appreciated. You may donate though our Paypal link here or if you are going to the Society of American Magicians National Convention next week, there will be, at the registration desk, a box filled with wristbands and a jar for your donations. Please fill this jar. Dan Sclare, who has been collecting your money, making sure David receives every dollar and working his butt off selling these wristband at last year's convention in Las Vegas and other local magic get-togethers and conventions, has put together a little scrap book of David's accomplishments and accolades from his time spent with us as part of Assembly 21 in Hartford, Connecticut. Please take a few minutes to go through this and leave your comments.

Dan has also posted this on Facebook this morning and it is a great idea as well... "In honor of our friend's transplant surgery please consider donating blood or platelets. It is a small thing to do that helps in a big way! Go Team Purple!!!"

Finally, if you would like to send David a card with get well wishes, please address it to his home. He will regularly receive his mail as a friend will drop it off at the hospital. Send good wishes to:
David Oliver
141 Audubon Road #201
Weymouth, MA 02188

Please keep David in your thoughts and prayers.

Steve Wronker

Please send photos of your wearing the purple DO Magic wristbands to me at swronker@gmail.com
I have a big project planned for those photos but I need yours. Thanks.

PS... I just want to alert everyone about another magic show fundraiser for David. It is happening tomorrow. Here are the details:

DAVID OLIVER BREATH EASY FUNDRAISER
JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF MAGIC, VARIETY, AND FUN!
Six Incredible Acts… One Amazing Show … All for One GREAT guy!

100% of the proceeds will go directly to our friend and compeer, David Oliver!

Date: Sunday June 30, 2013
Time: 1:00pm
Place: Belmore Movie Theater 222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, NY

For tickets, more information on how to place an ad in the program or make a donation, please contact Tricky Business at (516) 520-4004.