From John Christensen 10/25/12: We had a set back yesterday when we learned Kaleb's body is rejecting the new liver and he is back in ICU. He started on some counter rejection medications last night and we will have more tests today. Amber and I want to thank everyone for your well wishes, prayers, and donations that have been made.

Update from Heidi, Alex's aunt on 10/23/12: Alex is now in Palo Alto, California and they have completed skin grafts for both legs and his left forearm and right hand and there are no problems with them they are advancing well. My sister, Caree, and Alex's fiance', Kim, are working every day with Alex on his therapy and he is starting to be able to move a bit on his own, meaning his body is responding to the therapy and relearning. What a praise!  The doctors said since Alex has been responding but not able to completely come out of his coma they started him in a program called "Emerging Consciousness."  This is a 45 day program to slowing bring him completely out of the coma, as he has been unable to do himself. They have seen bits of alex behind his glazed eyes and are pretty positive he will come out of this. He's a fighter that is for sure! They have capped his trach and have been weening him off of it, being careful he doesn't have too many secretions. Alex has had a strong cough and the doctors are glad Alex has been coughing up most of the gunk by himself, keeping him from developing pneumonia. He is doing well but its definitely slow moving, but as long as there is progression he will recovery fully. The doctors are hopeful and so is the whole family. Please see earlier articles for information on how to make a donation.  Alex's recovery will be a long one, with family striving to be with him as much as possible.  The costs for travel, food and lodging could use your help!  Thank you!

Once again, thank you to everyone who has been helping Alex and his family during his recovery from his wounds.  See the article below on the News Page for the previous story. We apologize for not getting this information up on the website sooner.  I hope to get more from Heidi soon. Heidi Johnson, Alex's aunt, reported on 9/19/12: I wanted to let all you know that Alex is doing really awesome. The doctors have gotten the infections cleared up enough they are starting to close up the open the open wounds and working on the skin graphs on his knees and left hand. A lot of the minor wounds have healed and his face is not disfigured. The only tube that is left is the tracheotomy, so this prohibits him from talking. My sister is his Power of Attorney and will have to stay with Alex until he is able to make decisions on his own. Alex is now communicating with blinking his eyes and he is well aware of who is around him and conversations. Alex is getting stronger every day and he is drawing strength from all of the well wishes and prayers. Not bad for such a tragedy just over a month ago. President Obama went and saw Alex yesterday and presented him with a Presidential Challenge coin and thanked him for his service to this country.  Alex was presented with a purple heart a few weeks ago. Thank you so much for your support it has meant everything to my family and most of all Alex. And Heidi sent this note on 9/24/12: Alex's platoon has been visiting him this past week and he is mostly sleeping but is aware of his surroundings and the people who are there. The PIC line was replaced with a standard IV. The Wound Vacs are really not pulling any fluid, so they are removing those. They are working to weaning him off the Trach tube, and hope to have it removed soon. He is able to rest peacefully which is what needs to happen. Alex is looking good and the starts his skin grafting on his legs Monday. The docs say if the grafting looks good then 5-10 days after he can be moved to a poly trauma center in California for further rehab, which will be awesome for our family. The doctors are optimistic about Alex's recovery, he will have a long way to go, but has done amazing so far. He is going to make it through this just fine.  My sister and Alex's fiance' said he is looking better each day and getting stronger.  Donations to help off-set the families costs are needed and very welcome.  Donations can be made by either mail or at any branch of the Clackamas Federal Credit Union.  Please make your donations to the CCPOBF and put Alex Hussey Fund in the memo line; mail to PO Box 426, Oregon City, OR 97045.  Your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be sent to you promptly.         Thank you so much for your support it has meant everything to my family and most of all Alex.

On Monday, October 15th, around midnight, the Christensen's got a phone call that Stanford University had a liver for Kaleb! According to his father, John, they went to up to OHSU in Portland. From there Kaleb, John and Amber were transported by ambulance and a Life Flight plane to California. By Tuesday evening the transplant was done. Kaleb is doing great and is already out of ICU and in a regular room. Kaleb is doing well enough that he may be released from the hospital next week. Although the doctors have said his recovery is "text book", they will need to stay in the Stanford area for a few weeks, possibly as long as two months. Kaleb will be getting daily checkups to insure that the new organ is 'taking'.

Family members are taking care of Kaleb's brother and sister here in the Portland area and he hopes to come back home to Oregon and give them a break around November 7th. The Christensen's appreciate all the donations that have been received. Over $2500 has been raised to date! The funds will help with airfare, food, housing, transportation, and other costs related to Kaleb's transplant and recovery.

If you'd like to make a donation, you can do so by mailing a check to the CCPOBF with Kaleb Christensen in the memo line, to PO Box 426, Oregon City, OR 97045. Or you can drop off a donation at any branch of the Clackamas Federal Credit Union - be sure to say it's a donation to the Clackamas County Peace Officers Benevolent Foundation - Kaleb Christensen Fund.