Cobden police chief feels ‘great’ after pancreas transplant: Hale grateful for support, prayers of many
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<p class="p1">“I feel great,” said BJ Hale, Cobden chief of police, who is now unshackled from diabetes after 31 years of living with the disease.</p><p class="p2">Hale contracted the disease when he was 5 years old.</p><p class="p2">Hale was told in October of 2014 that he needed a pancreas transplant due to complications of his diabetes.</p><p class="p2">Fundraising efforts to help Hale began earlier this year by members of the community, including Wes Lyerla, Molly Beckley and Sandi Buchheit. </p><p class="p2">“BJ was very humble when we asked him how we could help. He said ‘keep me in your thoughts and prayers,’” Buchheit said.</p><p class="p2">Several fundraisers were held in Union County and have collected over an estimated $20,000 for Hale.</p><p class="p2">“Funds raised are helping BJ because he is out of sick days,” Beckley said.</p><p class="p2">Hale received a call on Sunday, Sept. 20, that a pancreas that was a perfect match was found. </p><p class="p2">Sept. 20 was his birthday.</p><p class="p2">A week prior to the life-saving phone call, Hale said he was beginning to get discouraged and had a couple close calls with this life.</p><p class="p2">He went to church at 11 a.m. and prayed with a group. At 11:22 a.m., he received the phone call about his new pancreas.</p><p class="p2">He called a pilot he knows at Black Diamond Harley Davidson in Marion asking for a ride. Ironically, the pilot had just done his pre-flight check and needed two to three hours of flight time. </p><p class="p2">In less than 20 minutes, Hale was on his way to the University of Indianapolis Hospital in Indiana to undergo his pancreas transplant.</p><p class="p2">“Everything just lined up perfectly,” Hale said.</p><p class="p2">Hale said the team of doctors and nurses were ready for him and he went into surgery at 2 a.m. on Monday. His surgery was completed by 7:30 a.m.</p><p class="p2">His wife, Cristy, drove up and was with him the whole time. </p><p class="p2">Hale was told he would be released on Sept. 25, which also was his 11th wedding anniversary.</p><p class="p2">He was able to come home on Sept. 26. </p><p class="p2">Hale said in a previous interview that the operation which saved his life “is a double-edged sword because someone has to die for me to get my pancreas.”</p><p class="p2">Now, Hale said, “I would like to meet the family. I’ll travel if I have to.”</p><p class="p2">Because of this surgery, Hale is no longer a diabetic.</p><p class="p2">For 31 years, he checked his blood sugar a minimum of 10 times a day and would have to wake up every hour and a half at night to check it. Hale could only consume 30 carbs a day, which is equivalent to three slices of white bread.</p><p class="p2">Hale said he now gets an average of seven hours of sleep.</p><p class="p2">The highest his blood sugar has been since the surgery was 109.</p><p class="p2">The first thing he consumed after his surgery that he couldn’t beforehand was a Sprite.</p><p class="p2">“I hated it!” he said, smiling and laughing.</p><p class="p2">The first thing he ate that he did enjoy was a Twinkie. Hale looks forward to trying a Snickers for the first time.</p><p class="p2">Through it all, Hale said his wife has been by his side and always supported him.</p><p class="p2">Hale said that he and his wife “have never been closer...she saved my life.”</p><p class="p2">“I’m taking that woman on a cruise.” Hale said with determination. </p><p class="p2">Union County businesses supported Hale with the news of his surgery by posting “Prayers for BJ Hale,” on signs outside their business.</p><p class="p2">Hale plans to deliver them thank you notes. He’s already delivered some in Anna.</p><p class="p2">“It’s like a breath of wonderful fresh air. We wanted for him to have the best life possible. Our town has a good man back,” said Wes Lyerla. </p><p class="p2">As for Hale, he feels great and can’t wait to start his new life without his insulin pump beside him.</p><p class="p2">“This town is different. This town is family. It’s very humbling,” Hale said.</p><p class="p2">“Thank you to the whole community.”</p>