By Jolene Farley
Beaver Creek resident Ron Rauk has bounced back remarkably well from a life-saving liver transplant in August of last year.
"I didn't realize how bad I was until I have gotten better," said Rauk. "I am back into a more normal way of life."
Looking back Rauk thinks his health began to deteriorate about three years before doctors at Mayo Clinic in Rochester diagnosed him with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver in July 1998.
Rauk said he began to tire more easily, but it was a slow deterioration so he didn't see a doctor until the fall of 1997. On his first visit, doctors attributed his problems to a bleeding ulcer.
After another hospitalization in May 1998, Rauk was referred to Mayo where the non-alcoholic cirrhosis diagnosis was made.
By June 1999, Ron's health had deteriorated so badly he was put on the liver transplant list.
Rauk's liver wasn't cleaning toxins out of his system, causing memory loss, confusion, lethargy and sleeplessness. He was forced to regularly return to Mayo Clinic so doctors could drain fluid from his abdomen.
On Aug. 28, 2000, the Rauks received a call from Mayo Clinic ...a donor was located. Rauk was wheeled into surgery at midnight on Aug. 29, and by 5:30 a.m. the transplant was complete.
Rauk remained in the hospital for 10 more days, then transferred to the Gift of Life House for another 14 days.
Although Rauk's strength has slowly returned over the last year, he still has a few physical restrictions. Doctors advise Rauk not to lift more than 40 pounds. They say his illness triggered bone density loss, and his bones could easily fracture. Doctors hope Rauk's bone density will rebuild over time.
He continues taking anti-rejection drugs and insulin in lower dosages. His insulin usage will decrease as the doses of anti-rejection drugs decrease, according to Rauk.
A local clinic draws blood samples every three weeks, and he must travel to Mayo Clinic once a year for a checkup.
Rauk is feeling so much better that the Rauk family recently took a trip to the Renaissance Festival, stopping to shop at the Mall of America and the Medford Mall.
Rauk offers advice to those waiting for a donor, "You have to be patient, have a lot of faith in God, friends and family," said Rauk. "Eventually it will come. There just aren't that many donors available. The patience and faith... that's the biggest thing."
The easiest way to donate is when you renew your driver's license, according to Rauk. Just say you want to be a donor. Rauk should know it's easy; he has signed up for the last 30 years.
"People shouldn't be afraid to sign a card and be a donor," Rauk said. "Give new life to somebody"
Ron and his wife, Marlys, have two children, Ryan, 22, and Linnea, 19.