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Leave message for ill Marine -- I'll deliver thread to Loma Linda University Hospital (Update #553)
Doug from Upland ^ | 1-30-05 | dfu

Posted on 01/30/2005 7:09:13 PM PST by doug from upland

FREEPERS -- the story of a young Marine is below. Loma Linda is a half hour away from me. Leave messages on this thread, I'll print it, and I'll deliver it to his wife at the hospital.

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Marine, Iraq Veteran, Receives New Liver
Yahoo News ^ | 1/30/05 | BEN FOX, AP

Posted on 01/30/2005 6:35:36 PM PST by kattracks

LOMA LINDA, Calif. - With little time left before his organs would likely fail, a U.S. Marine received a new liver Sunday for a mysterious ailment doctors said would kill him if he didn't get a transplant. Doctors operated on Lance Cpl. Chris LeBleu, who had been in a coma and on life support, for nearly 12 hours Sunday after an unidentified donor from New Mexico was found late Saturday night.

Doctors said the procedure went well, said Sgt. Jennie Haskamp, spokeswoman at Twentynine Palms, where LeBleu was stationed. He was in critical condition late Sunday.

In the hospital lobby, his 21-year-old wife, Melany, found comfort in photos of her wedding last fall, shortly after LeBleu returned from Iraq (news - web sites). Despite her fears, she has remained optimistic since her husband's illness was discovered earlier this month.

Several of LeBleu's commanding officers, fellow Marines and other family members huddled with his wife Sunday as they awaited the outcome of the operation.

Burt Parham, who is related to LeBleu by marriage, said he expected bad news when he got the call that a liver had been found.

"It was kind of a worried ring, but we were glad of the news," said Parham, who lives in the family's hometown of Lake Charles, La. "It's a shame somebody has to die. But I mean, it's God's will, I guess. We sure have been praying for Chris."

The cause of the infection is unknown. Dr. Donald Hillebrand, a liver specialist, said LeBleu most likely caught a virus or was exposed to a toxin or chemical in Iraq or after his return.

LeBleu, 22, was a rifleman in Iraq for seven months as part of a 2,200-man task force that lost 21 people and had nearly 200 wounded in action. His battalion commander, Lt. Col. Matt Lopez, said he wasn't aware of any other members of the unit with similar ailments to LeBleu.

Fellow Marines call him "Blue," and say the Marine kept a cool head as his 160-man company guarded a base near the Syrian border.

"He's a real resilient guy, the most relaxed, confident person you'll ever meet," said Lance Cpl. Rob Whittenberg, 23, of Spring Branch, Texas.

The infection developed gradually.

In mid-December, just months after he returned from Iraq, LeBleu told his new wife he felt tired, a little under the weather.

Still, he was strong enough to drive them home to Louisiana for the holidays from his Marine Base in Southern California, going for 36 hours straight. On Jan. 2, he found the strength to go wild boar hunting with relatives.

"We kept telling him to go to a doctor, but he said it was just a sinus infection," Melany LeBleu said. "Of course, we didn't think it was anything major."

Days later, he felt much worse during the drive back to the Marine base at Twentynine Palms. In Texas, LeBleu felt so nauseous he had to pull over. They made it back to their home on the base, but he didn't get better.

On Jan. 10, she took him to a base emergency room, which sent him to Loma Linda University Medical Center, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles.

"He couldn't keep anything down, not even water," she said.

As recently as Thursday, he was jaundiced and swelling but could still answer questions, Hillebrand said.

Within 24 hours, however, he was no longer coherent and had to be put on life support.

Without a new liver, his other organs would have started to fail, his doctor said.

About 17,500 people are waiting for liver transplants in the United States, Hillebrand said. LeBleu's family and friends had sought a liver from someone with O-positive blood as a directed donation, outside the usual waiting process.

"It's hard to see your husband in that situation," Melany LeBleu said. "You can't even describe the feeling."

___

Associated Press Writers Doug Simpson and Janet McConnaughey in New Orleans contributed to this report.




TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; US: California; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: hero; lebleu; marine; marines; transplant; usmc; wia
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Update on #218


221 posted on 02/02/2005 7:17:51 PM PST by doug from upland (THE RED STATES - celebrate a great American tradition)
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To: Cajun Mike

Cajun Mike,

This is great news and thanks for taking the time to report it. I will pass this information on to other prayer warriors and we'll continue to keep you, Chris, Melany and each one you mentioned in our prayers.

Praise God!


222 posted on 02/02/2005 7:20:34 PM PST by uncleshag (............ytic gard...........ytic gard................ytic gard)
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To: Cajun Mike; doug from upland; Defender2; Blue Scourge; armyman; Arrowhead1952; darkwing104; ...

"My name is Mike and I am a close friend of the LeBleu/Lamendola family. I was at the hospital when Melany and Susan received a huge stack of (these) emails...."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1332306/posts?page=221#221


223 posted on 02/02/2005 7:21:47 PM PST by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (Have you said Thank You to a service man or woman today?)
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To: Cajun Mike; doug from upland

My goodness! Cajun Mike you have absolutely made my day! Thanks so much for giving us a 'picture' of the wonderful group Chris has around him. I look forward to any updates you can post.

Doug thanks for the heads up.


224 posted on 02/02/2005 7:24:33 PM PST by amom
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To: Cajun Mike

By the way. Nice first post, Mike.


225 posted on 02/02/2005 7:27:25 PM PST by amom
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To: Cajun Mike; Cindy

Ping to 218, Cindy.


226 posted on 02/02/2005 7:28:04 PM PST by HipShot ("Remember the first rule of gunfighting... have a gun." --Colonel Jeff Cooper)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

I am proud of you, and your President honored your country and your military tonight.

It is a great day to be a Marine.


227 posted on 02/02/2005 7:29:46 PM PST by bitt (Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence)
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To: doug from upland
Dear Lance Cpl. Chris LeBleu,

I pray for your speedy recovery. God holds us all. Where you have gone, you brought safety and life. I am humbled in gratitude for your service to our country.

228 posted on 02/02/2005 7:33:13 PM PST by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
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To: Cajun Mike

Thank you for the update and prayers will continue for the entire family. You were so kind to let us know about them.


229 posted on 02/02/2005 7:34:09 PM PST by Diva Betsy Ross (Just say no to the ACLU!)
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To: doug from upland

Thank you for your service.


230 posted on 02/02/2005 7:35:56 PM PST by Unknown Freeper (Real men play (football) in the snow.)
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To: Cajun Mike
Thank you...and welcome to FreeRepublic.com!!

FReegards...MUD

231 posted on 02/02/2005 7:36:46 PM PST by Mudboy Slim (INDICT Osama bil Clinton!!)
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To: Cajun Mike

Well a big AMEN Mike and prayers will continue!


232 posted on 02/02/2005 7:38:23 PM PST by Cindy
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To: HipShot

THANK YOU for the ping HipShot.

I appreciate it.


233 posted on 02/02/2005 7:38:54 PM PST by Cindy
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To: doug from upland

Get well soon,"Blue."

I'm sure you'll be taking care of Chris, Melany!

God bless you both.


234 posted on 02/02/2005 7:42:09 PM PST by CDB
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To: Cajun Mike

Thanks for the update, Godspeed to all.

235 posted on 02/02/2005 7:43:56 PM PST by concentric circles
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To: doug from upland

Chris,

Thank you for your service. Through your sacrifice, you have kept me and my family safe and free. It will be our honor to pray for you and your family.

With love,
Juana


236 posted on 02/02/2005 7:44:03 PM PST by Juana la Loca
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To: doug from upland

My prayers are with you.


237 posted on 02/02/2005 7:44:20 PM PST by 1LongTimeLurker
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To: doug from upland
Dear Lance Cpl. Chris LeBleu & Melany,

May God bless you and watch over you, now and always! Thank you for your heroic service! You will be in my continuing prayers...

Semper Fi!

Nina, Long Island, NY

238 posted on 02/02/2005 7:50:36 PM PST by blinachka (Vechnaya Pamyat Daddy... xoxo)
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To: doug from upland

Chris,

God bless you and your family.


239 posted on 02/02/2005 7:51:45 PM PST by DBeers
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To: doug from upland

This grateful heart is praying for the young marine and his family.


240 posted on 02/02/2005 7:52:02 PM PST by OldFriend (America's glory is not dominion, but liberty.)
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