ASCS Article

Roger Crockett
By: Shawn Miller

It was a close call for Roger Crockett.

Another week, maybe two, and he would have been forced to take dialysis for kidney failure. Instead, his kidney transplant on Nov. 11 at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Ore., has revitalized the Northwest sprint car veteran.

Crockett was in the hospital for six days, while his father, Brian, who was the donor, was released in approximately half that time. The younger Crockett said both are feeling great and despite limitations for the upcoming season, he expects to race in 60-65 events.

"Once I can exercise and get back into shape, I wouldn't see why I wouldn't be a lot better at the end of a race," said Crockett, who hopes his first race will be at the Mini Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., March 13-14.

For the final month and a half of last season, Crockett said his kidneys were operating at approximately six percent. It was hard to stay hydrated and his energy dissipated quicker than his gas pedal hit the floor.

"You're body is working so hard just to keep going, it takes everything out of you," he said.

Crockett, who was born with deficient kidneys, was limited to lifting 10 pounds for the first six weeks following the surgery. He is now limited to 20 pounds for a couple more weeks. Also, for the first three months after the operation, Crockett has to give blood samples twice per week. For a six-month period after that, it will be once a week.

In addition to the bloodwork, Crockett has to take pills for the rest of his life. Exercising and a healthy diet are now even more important as well.

In his 12th year as a full-time racer, Crockett said the first year after the surgery is the most important concerning his health. He is unsure whether he'll head to Knoxville, Iowa, for the 360 Nationals and Nationals in the summer, and any road trips this season will be short because of his necessary doctor visits.

For now, Crockett's team -- sponsored by Omlid & Swinney Fire Protection & Security for a second straight year -- is slowly being built. They just got a new truck and trailer, and once Crockett receives a clean bill of health to lift more than 20 pounds, he'll be in the shop assembling the race cars.

Pretty soon his close calls will be on the track, wheel to wheel. Only now, Crockett, who estimated he has 108 career victories in a sprint car, will finally be healthy

2 months post transplant.

Hello all it's officially two months today from Roger's kidney transplant surgery. He is doing very well and looking forward to the up coming 2009 race season. I would like to thank everyone who donated money, and sent cards to the Crockett family during this tough time. I know that they personally enjoyed receiving the get well soon cards. It's nice to know that so many people care. Hope everyone is having a great 2009! Thank you all again!

Sprint Car & Midget Magazine December Issue

Check out the December issue of Sprint Car and Midget featuring Roger Crockett "A second chance at life"

Surgery Completed

Roger Crockett's Kidney Transplant has been completed. He and his father Brian Crockett have been released from the OHSU Hospital. Roger has been already working on the upcoming 2009 racing season. He is looking forward to getting back in the race car and seeing what a difference his full health potential can have. He would like to thank all of you for your concern and ongoing support during this difficult time. Things couldn't have gone much smoother for the Crockett family. Thank you for keeping them in your thoughts and prayers!!

God Bless

FYI

For anyone wanting to send cards to Roger or Brian Crockett the mailing address code for them at the hospital is as follows:

OHSU, Attn: 4A
Mail Code: UHS 8J
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd.
Portland, OR 97239-2966

Thank you all for your concern and best wishes.

Roger & Brian's transplant surgeon info

John Barry, M.D.
Specialty: Surgery, Urology, Transplantation
Sub-Specialty / Special Interest: Urology,Surgery,Renal Transplantation

Biography
Dr. Barry has been a faculty member at OHSU since 1973. He became Director of Kidney Transplantation in 1976 and Professor of Surgery and he was the Head of the Division of Urology and Renal Transplantation from 1980 to 2008.

He has been president of the following organizations: the American Board of Urology, the Western Section of the American Urological Association, the Northwest Urological Society, the Oregon Urological Society, the Urologic Society of Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, the Western Association of Transplant Surgeons, and the Pacific Northwest Transplant Society. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the United Network for Organ Sharing, and he is President of the American Urological Association.

He has been labeled as "One of the Best Doctors in America" by Woodward/White, as "One of Our Best Doctors" in the Portland Magazine, as "One of the Best 400 Physicians in America" by Good Housekeeping Magazine, and as "One of the Best Medical Specialists in the USA" by Town and Country Magazine. He received the Medical Research Foundation of Oregon Discovery Award in 1994, the Distinguished Faculty Award from OHSU in 2002, and the American Urological Association’s Certificate of Achievement Award in 2003. He has more than 300 publications in the fields of urology and renal transplantation, and he has been a visiting professor or guest speaker nationally and internationally.

His specialty areas are kidney transplantation, surgical diseases of the kidney, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, and reconstructive urology. Fellows, residents, and medical students, in addition to Dr. Barry, see many of Dr. Barry’s patients. A recommended website is www.urologyhealth.org.

Donation Account

We would like to announce that there has been a donation account set up for the Crockett family at Bank of America. The account name is "Roger Crockett Medical Fund". Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated and will be a huge help to the Crockett family. If you have any questions please feel free to email us at crocketttransplant@gmail.com.

Thank you all and have an amazing day!