Fellow racer going through tough times...

[RyanNicholson]

Hey all, I'm sure at least some of you know Paul Fitzpatrick from up at the track (AM #633, normally garages in North Garage #22 I think). Shortly after thanksgiving he went to the hospital with what they thought was gall stones, and eventually after some tests they diagnosed him with liver failure among many other complications. He's been in Mass General since then. They can't figure out why his liver failed, and has something like 11 specialists working full time on his case to try and figure it out. The way he explained it was basically being on the shitty end of an episode of House. Medically he isn't doing great, but his spirits are pretty high considering. They're hoping to let him go home for a day or two for Xmas but it depends on his ability to fight off and prevent infection. At 36, for someone who practically never drinks, never smokes, eats healthy, etc its completely out of the blue.

For those of you who don't know Paul, he's one of the most genuinely nice people I've ever met. When I pitched my bike over the hill in T8 back in 2007 he convinced me we could get the bike back together and ready to race the next day and stayed up with me until 3am working on it. When I woke up at 6am to finish it he was already back to work on my bike, and we did manage to get it ready to race.

I strongly encourage anyone that knows him, crossed paths with him, etc to give him a call, shoot him a note on facebook, or set some time aside to go visit him. It makes a huge difference for someone spending so much time stuck in a crappy hospital room.

If you'd like info on his room/contact info PM me.

[scottieducati]

I don't know Paul well, but my thoughts are definitely with him and his family during this time. Here's hoping that his situation ends like a House episode... with a full recovery.

[Kurlon]

To me that sounds like an expensive hospital visit, hate to be nosy but how's he doing on that front?

[RyanNicholson]

To me that sounds like an expensive hospital visit, hate to be nosy but how's he doing on that front?

I think he said something like closing in on $700k so far with all the surgeries and stuff

[clyons]

thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

[MysteriousR1]

I think he said something like closing in on $700k so far with all the surgeries and stuff

Insurance

[Pittenger5]

I don't know Paul well, but my thoughts are definitely with him and his family during this time. Here's hoping that his situation ends like a House episode... with a full recovery.

[Doc]

[FireboltEric_MA]

Best wishes to his recovery, never easy thing to deal with at this time of year

[Rambunctous]

Wishing Paul a full recovery. He is a garage mate. A very pleasant guy to be around.

[RyanNicholson]

So I forgot I had made this thread back in the day but figured I'd bump it up. A few weeks ago on 10/14 Paul passed away from the same complications that began 7 years ago. He was a great guy and one of the closer friends I personally had made through racing with LRRS. Not sure how many of you all remember him since it was quite a while ago, but I figured an RIP was in order. I still tell the story of him magically helping me get my (incredibly) wrecked bike back together and ready to race over night... just so we could grid up together the next day.

[cdovego]

rip racer dude, condolences...

[Chippertheripper]

Bummer. Rest easy.

[Pigman]

Very Sad RIP.......

[nhbubba]

[nt650hawk]

RIP

[Teamdineen]

Godspeed or faster!
Can I ask what was the cause of his failure? Just asking to maybe connect some dots that may help us all in the future. Would anything at the track or some chemicals that he used might have caused this?

[RyanNicholson]

Godspeed or faster!
Can I ask what was the cause of his failure? Just asking to maybe connect some dots that may help us all in the future. Would anything at the track or some chemicals that he used might have caused this?

I personally have no idea. I know over the years one issue just lead to another unfortunately.

[aldend123]

I believe there is such a thing as 'idiopathic liver failure'. In other words, unknown cause. I don't know anything about this person, but sad to see an old thread bumped this way. A family member went through a vaguely similar situation with the same ending. I don't think we'll ever know why. I guess premature equipment failure due to bad luck.

Chronic over consumption of Tylenol (or products unknowingly containing it like Nyquil or Vicodin), especially when combined with alcohol, is a common user-error that leads to failure. I believe there's a tipping point that once the symptoms show up, and the liver can no longer clean itself. The scales have tipped, and it's unlikely to get them even again. Obviously alcohol. Hepatitis. Certain poisons/heavy metals. But I believe there are a myriad of lesser known problems that can happen. I doubt there's anything special to take away from this. Live your life, everything in moderation, keep weight in check, and maybe have your doc do a blood test occasionally. Know the symptoms of liver failure and act when you see them.

[jwm2k3]

Rest in peace, Paul.

My condolences, Ryan.