Prayers needed big time

[Ken Hayes]

For any of you that know Buck Mercer from Beaverton, Michigan. He is in pretty bad shape right now. He just suffered a stroke and brain aneurism. He was air lifted to the Hospital today. Right this minute he is undergoing surgery. They were trying to go through his groin to get to the aneurism but had problems so now they are going through the brain.

Please send as many prayers as you can for a complete and safe recovery.

[flash]

He has my prayers .

[Ken Hayes]

Update on Buck Mercer:
5am Saturday - surgery is complete and the aneurysm has been removed. He had a few complications during surgery including excess blood loss. They had placed a tube in the brain to relieve the pressure. So far his motor function looks good. He is resting in his room now and we will check back in the morning to see if he is able to communicate with us at all. We are thankful for each and every prayer. He has overcome a lot of obstacles but the doctor says the next few days are critical.

[Ken Hayes]

Buck Mercer update:
9:00: They did a CT Scan this morning. Waiting for the Doctor to read the scan.

10:30: the doctor read the scans and didn't like what he saw, maybe a few stroke areas. He has been placed on the ventilator. Not a great update, will keep you all posted. Appreciate the prayers!

[Ken Hayes]

Buck Mercer update
2:30pm Sunday: the ICP (pressure in the skull) has come down with a couple of interventions. This is good news. They will continue to monitor. He is on 3 drugs now for sedation and pain. He had some dark spots on the scan indicating some stroke spots from last night/this morning. They will scan again in the morning. He seems to have decreased movement on the left side, stokes are on the right side of the brain. He does look much more comfortable and they will keep him this way for a lot least for a few days most likely.

[Hank70SS]

For any of you that know Buck Mercer from Beaverton, Michigan. He is in pretty bad shape right now. He just suffered a stroke and brain aneurism. He was air lifted to the Hospital today. Right this minute he is undergoing surgery. They were trying to go through his groin to get to the aneurism but had problems so now they are going through the brain.

Please send as many prayers as you can for a complete and safe recovery.

You got Ken.

I don't know Buck but sorry to hear this. Your updates sound some what promising. We'll keep in our thoughts.


Side note, my Uncle had a cottage right across the river from Beaverton. Spent a lot of time up there with cousins in my teen years.

[Ken Hayes]

Buck Mercer update
6pm Sunday: the pressure continued to rise, heading in for surgery now to remove the brain flap (skull bones) to relieve the pressure. Prayers for a successful surgery and a quick enough response to the swelling.

Dear Heavenly Father, please hear our prayers for this man and we ask you to guide the surgeons and doctors and nurses hands in Jesus name, Amen !!

[Ken Hayes]

Update on Buck....
8:22pm Sunday - surgery is finished. He was able to remove the bone and relieve the pressure. Digits are now in the normal range. There was some damage to the brain and a small part was removed. The pupil dilation has come back to normal and everything is back to positive. Days are still critical but he has stayed strong. ❤

I hope you all don't mind me posting this but Buck is a personal friend of mine and one hell of a Chevelle guy.

[flash]

Keep on posting to let us know how he is doing .

[Ken Hayes]

Monday morning update from Katie Mercer:

8am Monday: Pressures held well through the night, they have decreased the sedation medication from 3 to 1. On blood pressure meds to keep it low. Oxygenating fairly well. But stayed steady through the night thankfully

[Ken Hayes]

Buck's new update
1pm Monday: he has developed a fever, they have him on ice cooling. They have ran cultures to check for infection but it could just be a brain response. About 60-70% of the right side of the brain is swelling. They have added back 1 of the sedation drugs to help him relax and breathe easier. They did say it is common to get worse before he gets better.

[shadowgray396]

Sorry to hear this, will keep him in our prayers for him and his family

[Ken Hayes]

730pm Monday: Not much of an update, which is good at this point. Fever is gone. Waiting on cultures to see what caused it. Will update more in the morning as long as things are quiet tonight .

Hoping that Buck pulls through this ordeal. If he does, he will have a long road of recovery.

The Chevelle community and Facebook community have really rallied together for this man. Buck has always talked about getting rid of his 2.73 rearend and getting something a little more peppier. Well his dreams are coming true with help of his many friends. There is now a new gear set, a posi unit, axels and voluntary people that are going to install everything. There is also extra money that will be set aside for his bills. Also, his vacation and trip to NOCC in Strongsville, Ohio is all taken care of.

Its all in God's hands to take care of him.

[flash]

He is still in our prayers .A co worker of mine who is 79 years old just recently had an anurism at work and was flown to Atlanta for emergency surgery .We celebrated her 40th anniversary of working here yesterday with her and her family and she is doing very well now so there is a lot that prayer can do.

[Ken Hayes]

Buck's update:
830 am Tuesday: He held steady through the night. Pressures look good. Waiting on results of this morning's scan.

[Ken Hayes]

Yayyyyyy ��.... Buck Mercer update
5pm Tuesday: Nothing major today which is exactly what we prayed for. The lungs are having a bit of a tough time but that is pretty expected. CT from the morning was as the doc expected. So all in all not a bad day.

[Hank70SS]

Glad to hear it, hopefully he's on the upswing nw.

[Ken Hayes]

Buck Mercer update
12pm Wednesday: his lungs declined last night and his body is not getting the oxygen it needs. They were unable to do the daily brain scans because he was too unstable to move. They have put him on a paralytic to hopefully help aid in the lungs healing. His legs were clear for blood clots and we are waiting on the CT of the head and chest checking for blood clots. He is back in his room and getting hooked back up to everything.

[Ken Hayes]

update
2pm Thursday: He held steady through the night. Blood gases are improving! All vitals look good, and fever hasn't been an issue. Things have been pretty quiet up here today.

[flash]

Good news ,thanks for keeping us posted .

[Ken Hayes]

Friday update:
11:30am Friday: he stayed stable last night. All of the vitals are good and pressures look good. We are signing consents for a procedure Monday to help with the lungs. We will scan the brain tomorrow or Sunday to check on the swelling. Should be a fairly quiet weekend.

All updates are coming from Buck's daughter inlaw. She has been at the hospital every day for him.

[Ken Hayes]

Buck Mercer update
5pm Friday: We made some good progress today. They were able to move him around and get a bath. They have begun to lower the vent. He is now at 70%, they will continue to monitor and lower as he allows. They have also started to decrease some of the medications. Hopefully his body tolerates and we can eliminate some. Will post his status again tomorrow morning if nothing changes.

[Hank70SS]

Sounds at least somewhat promising. Hope to hear some more good news tomorrow.

[Ken Hayes]

7:48 Saturday: Uneventful day. Vent is still about 70% O2. He was running a bit of a fever but they are working to get that down. Another head CT scheduled for morning.

[Ken Hayes]

Buck Mercer update
8pm Sunday 3/20: He had a rough night last night and O2 had to go back up to 100%. He has also developed an infection in his lungs. Back on the cooling blanket and on 3 antibiotics now. They were able to get O2 down to 90% today. Still has the fever. CT scan of the head looked ok.

[Ken Hayes]

Monday Update:
This afternoon went to see Buck Mercer with Wayde Mercer. He wanted to see his uncle. So glad he was able to see him. Buck is and will be for awhile in critical condition. Our family is just taking things one day at a time. Once again thanks for all the support from all our friends. Please keep up with the prayers.

This update was from Buck's daughter inlaw.

[Ms Grumpy]

It is really cool all the support that Bucks family is getting. And the collection that Jeff took up to purchase the parts for Bucks car and all the people who have volunteered their time to help.

The world of classic car people is really amazing.

[Ken Hayes]

There wasn't much updates for Tuesday or Wednesday.

Todays update 3/24/16:

1pm Thursday 3/24: Vent is 90% O2 and the rate of respiration has been adjusted. They are continuing to monitor blood gases to see what works. We have a nephrologist coming in today to evaluate his kidney function. Brain swelling is still ok. Praying for some progress in the lungs.

[flash]

Being on the ventilator this long is very scary ,not good for the lungs at all ,prayers coming .

[Ken Hayes]

There is so many car people praying all over the country for him. I sure hope he makes it.

[Ms Grumpy]

It is scary. From what I have read he was down to 80% on the vent at one time and then he went back up to 90% then back up to 100%. There has not been a lot of info as of late except to say that he should be seeing the Neurologist in the next few days and they are keeping an eye on his kidney functions.

It is amazing the amount of people who have posted well wishes and prayers for Buck, myself being one of them. I hope he pulls through this and is able to see all the love that people have shown.

[Ms Grumpy]

Update from Jeff T.....

Buck Mercer
8pm Friday 3/25: O2 back to 70% spO2 staying at 98% she said his gasses look good, gonna leave him at 70 for the day and re-eval in the morning.

[Ken Hayes]

update
11:30 am Saturday 3/26: We finally had a night that he held steady on the vent without having to go back up. He held 70% which is great. Will attempt to decrease again today and see how he tolerates. Next step is to change the vent settings off the pressure control. Next set of prayers is to accomplish that. Chest X-ray showed slight improvement in the lower right lung which was the area with the congestion.

[flash]

Any updates today ?

[Ken Hayes]

No update for Sunday John.

Update from this morning 3/28:

Buck went backwards we're sorry to say. He is now back on 100% Vent.

[flash]

Ken ,sorry to hear the last update ,prayers continue for Buck and his family .I dont know him but have bantered with him on T/C so I feel like I know him.

[Ken Hayes]

update:
6am Thursday 3/31: yesterday was day 2 of dialysis. They were able to pull off 4.5 liters of fluid. Didn't focus much on filtering the blood so his numbers were worse but that was expected. Round 3 will be today and focus more on filtering the blood. They were able to drop the vent slightly. We will see if he is able to maintain that today.

[Ken Hayes]

3pm Friday 4/1: Update
Just finished up dialysis again today, took off another 4 liters he tolerated it well. They have been able to ween the ventilator down to 85%. His chest x-rays from this morning show improvements. They will continue to monitor his blood gases and change the ventilator accordingly.

[Ken Hayes]

update
9pm Saturday 4/2: Things have taken a turn for the worse. The blood gases are at levels not sustainable for life. He is at risk for cardiac arrest and pulmonary arrest. We did another round of dialysis in hopes it will bring everything back within acceptable levels. We should have the results back within the hour. Checking in on him frequently and the heart rate has come down (good thing) and oxygenation has increased (good thing). Still praying for a miracle.

[Ken Hayes]

update:
8am Sunday 4/3: He actually improved overnight. Blood gases look better, Ph has increased, oxygenation is better, chest X-rays show improvements. Plan is to move him to a sand bed to help with skin and being able to move him. We will do dialysis again today. Hopefully this progress continues! He even looks better to me this morning.

[chevymaher]

Good deal prayers are with him.

[flash]

Glad to hear this update .

[Ken Hayes]

Buck's update
7:30pm Monday 4/4: no real changes to report today. Josh and Morgan were able to talk to Dr. Adel the neurosurgeon and he said this is going to be a long road but there is no reason to give up hope. What a relief to hear that from him, we never gave up hope but it was nice to be reassured!

[Ken Hayes]

Buck's update:
Wednesday 4/6: No real changes today. O2 has improved but CO2 was also higher. X-rays were about the same and pulled another 2.5 liters with dialysis. Thanks for asking

[Ken Hayes]

Buck Mercer update
Thursday 4/7 4pm: his lung status has continued to decline over the past few days. They are doing everything they can but the lungs need to start functioning properly in order to get the oxygen to the rest of his body. We have the crisis room at the hospital so we can be close to him. The nurses and doctors have strongly recommended a DNR, they fear the heart will reach a point it cannot take anymore.


I hate to say it but the end may be near...........COMON BUCK, FIGHT MAN FIGHT.

[flash]

He is still in my prayers ,keep letting us know .

[Ken Hayes]

Buck's update:
4/8/16 9am Friday: His blood gases and kidney numbers all improved over night. We are still not within normal range but they did not get worse. He is hooked up to dialysis again already this morning. Goal is another 2 liters today. His numbers on the monitors looked great today, now just pray for the blood gases to show significant improvements as well.

It's like he's on a roller coaster..............I wish he could get off this ride.

[Ken Hayes]

This update was from Jeff Thompson, Saturday 4/9:

Spoke with Katie earlier, family is very tired so I'm posting for them. My question to her was like most days, Buck holding his own today? Her answer was,
seems to be, numbers dropped a little, nothing alarming. They just finished Dialysis and are waiting for blood test to come back for the night. My Reply, I still have a good feeling about this.

We both know its going to be a long road as does all the family, I cant stress enough, AS MUCH AS WE WANT BUCK TO PULL THROUGH THIS, the
family is taking the hardest hit with all the emotions, up and down, they still have their families to contend with, plus with all this happening.

[Ken Hayes]

Buck's update
11am 4/11: We all decided to go home last night to get some sleep in our own beds but it didn't last long. The hospital called about 12:30 last night to say his blood gases numbers were bad. He was up and down all night and is still unstable this morning. He appears to be more swollen today and oxygenation is not as good as we could hope.

[flash]

I continue to hope and pray he pulls through .

[Ken Hayes]

Its with tears in my eyes and a saddened heart that I give you Bucks latest update.

update
4/11/16: about 1:30pm they were attempting to change the port for dialysis and during the procedure his stats dropped causing an increase in CO2. He went into cardiac arrest. CPR was performed but unsuccessful. We can hold on to peace knowing he is no longer suffering, won't have to struggle with the deficits from the strokes. I will be sure to share the funeral arrangements as soon as we have them set.

[Hank70SS]

Sorry to hear that. As you said, he's not suffering any longer.

[chevymaher]

I saw it on facebook. I was very sad. I didn't know him but felt the connection because of all the chevelle people who did. Prayers are with the surviving friends and family.

[Ken Hayes]

I just received this info:

http://www.hall-kokotovichfuneralhome.com/home/index.cfm/public:obituaries/view/fh_id/15173/id/3663401/lud/AD07D704E06B8C68DB5A700B0E9E49E8

If you would like to send a card:

Kelly "Buck" Mercer
4426 Raymond Rd.
Beaverton, MI 48612

[shadowgray396]

Sorry to hear. I just lost a good friend yesterday, so I will be at a celebration of life on Sunday afternoon. He passed away on his 66th birthday.

[Ken Hayes]

Today was a great send off for Buck Mercer. The Funeral Home ended up being standing room only for him with I think about 250 people that showed up.


There were 7 Chevelles, 1 El Camino, 1 55 Chevy and a older Hemi Charger. He worked as plant manager at Elmers Concrete in Beaverton, MI where he lived. They had one of the Cement Mixer trucks at the Funeral Home that could've won trophies at any show it entered in.

This is the card the funeral home passed out. I think the Reverend mentioned Chevelles not less that 50 time during the service.


"Buck, I hope your cruising where the sun is always shinning, the gas tank always full, where speed knows no limits & the road never ends".


R.I.P. my Chevelle brother.

[Ken Hayes]

More bad news for the Mercer family. Bucks Dad Jim, passed away on Friday June 24th from cancer. R.I.P. Jim.

[flash]

May he rest in peace ,CANCER SUCKS .

[Ms Grumpy]

This has been a difficult year for the Mercer family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

[Ken Hayes]

I had a Buck Mercer Memorial Trophy made for the NOCC show in Ohio. The trophy will be presented to the Mercer family, to give to the Chevelle of their choice at the show.

The guy that made it is Shaggy LeBlanc of Taylor, Mi. (He also made all the custom trophies for the 2016 Detroit Autorama) When I showed Shaggy the pic of Buck that I wanted on the trophy he cried. I knew this person when I used to live by Beaverton, Mi. He had an extra pic made of Buck so he could put it on his paint booth door.

I had no idea what to expect about the trophy. Only 2 things I wanted on it were his picture and something to do with Mountain Dew as Buck loved that stuff. He told me the bottle caps came from Tenn. All the rest are genuine Chevelle parts.