DOWNRIVER LIFE Living on hope

Section D Wednesday, July 18, 2012

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Mother prepares for double arm transplant

Its been a tremendous shock for everyone, she said. Before the amputations changed her life, Katy was a busy mother and worked as a massage therapist. The whole community has risen to the occasion, her mother said. People down there like her so much The day before she gave birth to her third child, a daughter named Arielle, Katy and her mother went to a local gym in Texas for a workout. Big as she was, she was doing everything even then, McNaughton said. I believe its her good health then and now thats helped her to go through this ordeal. Katy decided to undergo the risky procedure to regain a semblance of a normal life, according to her mother. She did not like the prosthetics she had they hurt too much, McNaughton said. Were all just kind of waiting to hear. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. In addition to the risks, the surgery is a vast undertaking, which will involve a 40-person medical team and last at least 15 hours. During the procedure, doctors will attach the bones with metal plates and then, using microscopes, they will painstakingly suture the arteries, nerves, tendons and veins. And the surgery wont be a quick fix; it may take several years until the nerves reach her hands and enable her to move them. While Katy doesnt expect to regain full use of her hands, her mother said she does hope to do things like

Photos courtesy of Hayes family

Katy Hayes beams while holding her third child, daughter Arielle, in February 2010. Just days later, she would be ghting a deadly esh-eating bacteria that resulted in doctors amputating her arms and legs.

By Andrea Blum
The News-Herald

ahead. The Dearborn native and mother of three, now living in Texas, contracted two types of Group A Streptococcal disease fast-spreading infections that eat flesh and destroy internal organs after giving birth to her third child in February 2010. She entered the hospital with abdominal pains, suffered massive organ failure and fell into a coma within hours. With his wife facing a very slim chance of survival, Al Hayes begrudgingly gave his consent for doctors to amputate her arms and legs. Three months later, she came home to a new baby she couldnt hold, as well as a 6-year-old son and 16-yearold daughter. This week, she was put on the list to become the first person in the United States to undergo a double arm transplant at a Boston hospital. Her mother, Lucille McNaughton of Dearborn, said the past few years have been very trying for the entire family.

aty Hayes has experienced several lifechanging moments in her 44 years, and yet another lies

During the procedure, doctors will attach the bones with metal plates and then, using microscopes, they will painstakingly suture the arteries, nerves, tendons and veins.
that they bought a house for her thats all handicapped accessible and a van. Growing up as one of three sisters, Katy was very active, participating in sports at Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn. She went to Europe one year and climbed mountains, her mother said.

Katy and Al Hayes with their children, Amber and Jake, at home in Texas before the birth of their third child led to Katys battle for life. hold her children. It may take a year before shes able to do things, but shell go through every kind of therapy there is to get her new arms working, her mother said. A fundraiser, organized by her mother as well as other family and friends, runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday at Birmingham Unitarian Church, 38651 Woodward Ave. Hors doeuvres, a silent auction, music and dance will be part of the event, which also includes a concert by guitar soloist Mark Sandstrom. The $10 suggested donation will be used for medical expenses, transportation and lodging during the surgery and other living expenses. Contact McNaughton at 1-313-561-5692 or lucillemcnaughton@att.net to donate cash or silent auction items. Donations also can be sent to the Katy Hayes Fund, P.O. Box 5069, Kingwood, TX 77325, or made online at www.katyhayesfund.com. Follow her progress at her husbands blog, www. katyupdate.wordpress.com. Contact Features Editor Andrea Blum at 1-734-2460860 or ablum@heritage. com. Follow her on Facebook and @AndreaBlum1 on Twitter.

Mini-jets to y high at airport

Spread your wings and fly as the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport hosts the 12th annual Michigan Charity Jet Fly Aug. 9 to 12. The event is for pilots and spectators who enjoy operating and watching radio-controlled miniature jet aircraft. Proceeds will benefit the Naval Air Station Grosse Ile Memorial Fund and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Flying Pilgrims R/C Club of Canton Township and the Detroit Aero Modelers host the event. It is organized by the Michigan Jets Organizing Committee and the Jet Pilots Organization. Thousands of people from Grosse Ile and surrounding areas attend each year to see the miniature machines taxi down a full-scale runway and soar around the airport. The three-day event will feature more than 100 radiocontrolled jets performing aerial acrobatics while piloted by enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada. The event will include food and exhibits by model jet vendors. Five pilots will have the opportunity to win a gift certificate toward the purchase of a turbine engine. There also will be several other radio-controlled prizes. A 50/50 raffle will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In addition, spectators and guests will have the opportunity to drive and learn more about radio-controlled trucks and cars on a surface track. When we first started planning the air show, we decided the money we raised ought to go toward a noble cause, Michigan Jets director George Thomas said. Were just out there having fun while raising money for people who really need it. During its 11-year existence, the air show has raised more than $40,000 for LLS. This year, organizers hope to raise $10,000. The event also benefits the Naval Air Station Grosse Ile Fund, which is dedicated to the Naval Air Station Grosse Ile and the men and women that served there. It is a collection of stories and pictures from its beginning in the 1920s through the next 40 years of service to the United States. Admission to the charity jet fly is $10 per vehicle. Flying hours are 1 p.m. to dusk Aug. 9, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10 and 11 and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 12. Visit www.michiganjets. com to learn more or make a donation. Miniature jets will take to the skies Aug. 9 to 12 during the 12th annual Michigan Charity Jet Fly at the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport.

Chorale names new ofcers

The Seaway Chorale and Orchestra recently selected members of its board of governors for the 2012-13 season. Taking the helm are music manager Amy Smith, treasurer Ken Herzog, music director Gerald Custer, vice president Ken Pilon, publication manager Don Van Every and librarian Linda Soules. Also on the board are its secretary, Melissa Borowitz; the president, Sharon York; and the production manager, Lynn Sitek. The group already is in the midst of planning its 37th annual Christmas concert, Winter Wonderland, which will be held Dec. 7 and 8 at the Flat Rock Community Auditorium. New members always are welcome to the group. Call York at 1-734-558-4684

The Seaway Chorales new board of governors includes Melissa Borowitz (front row, left), Sharon York, Lynn Sitek, Amy Smith (back row, left), Ken Herzog, Gerald Custer, Ken Pilon, Don Van Every and Linda Soules. or Van Every at 1-734676-9504 for details about future auditions. Visit www.seawaychorale.org to learn more about the group.