​The patient experience last week at Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine, California was such an awesome experience. From the moment we arrived with drones flying overhead, the clap in (where all the employees clapped and waved pom pom's) as you were introduced, to the closing dinner was an experience I will never forget. And I got to share this experience with the best wife and caregiver in the world.

I have added a communicator app to the support link page. If you or a  loved one is having a hard time communicating what their needs are please go to the support link tab and download.

​Her clinic is and was the most important part of my long journey after Sepsis in 2015. I couldn't have navigated without Dr. Ashley Montgomery-Yates.

UKNOW.UKY.EDU
As COVID-19 Surges, UK HealthCare’s ICU Recovery Clinic Meets Growing Demand

I guess I could say April Fools day on this past year and Covid but unfortunately I cant do that. For many americans it has effected us in one way or another. For me I have been in the house for the most part for the past 9 months only to go through a drive-thru. Last week i received my 2nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I will still wear a mask out of respect and protection of others. I am hoping this year brings a better peace to myself and others as we all want to get back to some things we enjoy. For me that would be family, fishing, camping and traveling. Peace to everyone!

Thanks to the University of Kentucky I will live again as they caught my sepsis early. You cant imagine the emotions and feelings of being back there again but Dr Ashley Montgomery was there with me when she didn't have to be. She wasn't even on call. Words cannot express the love I have for this lady and The University of Kentucky. 

​Sepsis Alliance, the nation’s leading sepsis organization, today named Kentucky Family, Career and Community Leaders of American (FCCLA), and sepsis survivor Darrell Raikes as the 2019 Erin Kay Flatley Spirit Award winners. Raikes and Kentucky FCCLA are jointly honored for raising awareness of sepsis in the state of Kentucky. Sepsis is the body’s life-threatening response to infection that takes a life every two minutes in the United States.

 I was asked to speak and share my story at The American Delirium Society in Boston in front of a lot of medical professionals from all over the world. I and Sarah had a great time and thanks to Leanne in Nashville for asking me and what an honor. And to get an email from a lady you never met about how I touched her makes your new purpose and everything worthwhile.

This young lady touched me at the Kentucky FCCLA state meeting in 2019

Almost 4 years ago on May 26th, 2015 my roller coaster ride started and there has been up's and down's but still here to tell my story and help others who might be on this ride.

The video below is a question and answer about my time spent in ICU and some of the struggles I live with daily. Please click the picture below to be directed to the video. The UK portion doesnt start until about the 15 minute mark.

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It was such an honor to be with this group of Angels from UK ICU where they saved my life. 

 What a honor to be invited to Florida by the founder of Sepsis Alliance Dr, Carl Flatley on a once in a life time fishing trip. I am so excited to be able to have the strength and the determination to fulfill this life long dream. Thank you Dr Carl Flatley for inviting me and hope that together we can bring awareness to Sepsis. Had a great time fishing with Carl Flately.

Once again I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful opportunity to help others with some of the struggles they have while in the hospital. I had lots of delirium while being intubated for approximately 25 days and none were pleasant experiences. I look forward to traveling to Boston so that I may help others and explain to the caregivers what to expect. As you can read below I have been invited to go to Boston, Massachusetts so that I may help others understand the outcomes of delirium. 

We would like to invite you and your wife to be interviewed at the 2019 American Delirium Society workshop on Sunday, June 16th, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The workshop theme is "Delirium Recognition and Reduction: Bench to Bedside Considerations" and our aim is to provide an interactive and engaging learning experience for clinicians and researchers alike to develop skills and knowledge regarding delirium assessment, prevention, and management. 
 
We would like to end the workshop with an interview of someone who has experienced delirium.  The goal of the 45-minute interview is for workshop attendees to understand the delirium experience and it’s long term effects.  You would get a few minutes to describe your hospitalization and I would ask you questions which you will receive ahead of time.  You will also get questions from the audience.

I was just recently named International ICU hero of The Year by the Society of Critical Care Medicine. I, my wife, critical care doctor and 4 nurses will fly to San Diego February 16th to receive this prestigious award. What an honor to receive this award and to be nominated by my critical care doctor Dr. Ashley Montgomery. She is and always will be my angel.

​I went to Owensboro today for a sepsis presentation and look who I ran into. I love this lady to death and she was one of my nurses at UK and helped save my life. She helped take care of me in my difficult hours, Thank you Pissy!!! ( As Ron Called Her). Made my day and trip!!

​Volunteer Spotlight: Darrel RaikesDarrell Raikes is a ball of fire. With his dynamic energy and determination, you wouldn’t know he spent 20 days in the ICU after he developed sepsis from a routine knee replacement. To further complicate matters, his sepsis led to ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). This experience left Darrell with lasting effects, but it didn’t diminish his drive.
 
Now Darrell is a tireless sepsis awareness advocate. He tours his home state of Kentucky speaking to schools and organizations about sepsis. Darrell and his wife, Sarah, connected Sepsis Alliance with Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), a nonprofit organization of young men and women who choose a charity every year to support. It’s because of Darrell that the FCCLA Kentucky chapter chose Sepsis Alliance and has already raised over $10,000 for the organization. Passionate and committed volunteers like Darrell are a major reason Sepsis Alliance is able to spread sepsis awareness and save lives.

This young girl means so much to me and touched my heart. She lost her mother to sepsis in December of 2017.

What a great 2 days it was in Louisville to bring sepsis awareness to around 1000 people from all over the state of Kentucky. It was an honor to meet Dr. Carl Flately the founder of Sepsis Alliance. The State of Kentucky FCCLA raised around $12,000 to go to Sepsis Alliance.