my friend is in need...

[petey]

I have a friend I've taught with for last 15 or so years.  She's 40 years old and has two small children (ages 10 and 5).  A couple of years ago, she was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver (never drank a drop in her life -- got it from a transfusion after gallbladder surgery).  About two months ago, she got very, very sick.  Lots has happened since then; she's now on the liver transplant list and still very, very sick.  She and her husband are staying at an apartment near the hospital (3 hours away from here), but her children are at home with relatives.  They don't want the children to see her so sick.

When I called to check on her today, she had more bad news.  Her kidneys have completely shut down.  She'll start dialysis tomorrow (perm cath surgery in the morning and treatment in the afternoon).  The liver disease was bad enough, but now, there's this, too.  She's the sweetest person I've ever known, and my heart is hurting for her.

My favorite aunt died when I was 19 of cirrhosis (she was a bad alcoholic), and it was a horrible, horrible end.

If you pray, please remember my friend Anna.

[kellyt]

You got it.   Bless her and her children.  You're a good friend.   

[Hanify]

Praying for her and her family.  I know how she feels as I was that sick last year.  However, I'm much better now.  One piece of advice.  I would let the children see her.  Especially the 10 year old.  My daughter was 11 and the things she could make up in her head were way worse the reality of seeing me sick.  If they are open about how sick she is you'll be amazed how well the children cope. 

[Sunny]

I feel so sorry for your friend and pray things will get better for her soon. What a scary situation for them.

[kristina]

I feel so sorry for your friend,
and hope, things get better soon.
please give her my kind regards,
and best wishes from Kristina.

[twirl]

so sorry

[David13]

I am so sorry to hear about your friend.   

Prayers are being sent out for her and her family.

[monrein]

 

[willieandwinnie]

  Oh petey. Just when I think things can't get much worse. I am so sorry and I will add Anna to my prayers and her children. Hugs to you and Marvin for always being there for everyone. 

[petey]

I'm so disappointed.  I called Anna's coordinator to see if I could be tested to be a live liver donor for her, but it won't work.  The coordinator said that a live donor's partial liver would not help Anna very much at this stage.  She is so far advanced with the complications and so sick that only a whole liver (cadaveric donor) would even stand a chance of pulling her out of it.  I said, "But isn't half a liver better than none at all?" and the coordinator said, "At this point, that's not enough, and we know that it wouldn't work.  It's not worth putting her body through that if we know it won't work."  That did not sound like good news to me.  I'm also thinking that if a cadaveric donor doesn't come for Anna soon -- and very soon -- that it may be too late for that, too.

Why didn't I make this offer a month ago?  I could  myself now.

[rose1999]

Marsha don't blame yourself, you were not to know and you've made the offer now which is more than a lot of people would do, you're a special lady.  I will pray for Anna and hope a miracle will happen for her.  Will she join us here at IHD? We would love to welcome her to our family.
You've had such a lot of bad news these last few days, this is for you 

[willowtreewren]

This is such sad news, Marsha.

I feel so sorry that you are not able to help. You are a special, special person and your friend is fortunate to have you in her circle of people who care.

My thoughts are with you.

 

Aleta

[Romona]

 

[willieandwinnie]

  Marsha, you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. I will continue to keep Anna in my thoughts and prayers 

[MIbarra]

So sad! I'll keep her in my prayers!

[Sunny]

Get on the waiting list in Tennessee. Steve Jobs of Apple Computer just got a liver transplant there. The wait is far shorter.
Seriously though, my transplant coordinator tells me the wait for a kidney is so much shorter if you reside in other parts of the country.  Apparantly this hold very true for livers as well. I hold out hope for your friend.

[pelagia]

  

[angellady07]

 

[petey]

Last Thursday around noon, Anna got a call that a liver was available; the coordinator had her husband call all the family and friends.  Surgery was tentatively set for 9 p.m. that night.  We were all so excited and started many "Prayer Chains" for Anna and also for the donor.  However, when the liver was harvested, it was determined to be "unsuitable" for transplantation (we're not really sure what all happened to it -- not a lot of straight answers, and bless her husband's heart, he just doesn't know what questions to ask).  It was extremely disappointing.

Anna cannot go anywhere else to get on another list because she's so sick now (in ICU and cannot leave the hospital she's in).  It is a very, very sad situation.

[rose1999]

Oh Marsha how awful to hear about this latest set back, all we can do is pray for Anna.  Please let her know she is in people's thoughts worldwide.  Bless you and her 

[cherpep]

So sorry to hear the bad news.  She and her family are in my prayers.  I just said one right now.

[Hanify]

Thinking of her always

[Yvonne]

  We are thinking of her also

[petey]

My friend Anna got her new liver last night/early this morning.  The surgery took almost 10 hours, as they had some problems with uncontrollable bleeding in her abdomen.  She was very, very sick and in ICU for the last couple of weeks.  She had two "almost" transplants in the last two weeks -- I guess because she was in such bad shape (both were determined "unsuitable" for transplantation when harvested).  Her uncle said that the docs had left the incision open because they fear more bleeding.  She is completely sedated and will be for a little while, her uncle said.  I'm so happy for her, and I'm a little scared, too.  I know it's a wonderful thing, but I think she was so extremely sick for the last little bit.  Of all the organs for my Marvin to be waiting for, we're glad it's a kidney.  You don't have to be literally on the verge of death to get a kidney.  Of course, Anna only waited 3 months for her liver, and Marvin's been waiting 14 years for his kidney.  But, if you consider the conditions Anna and Marvin were in while waiting, Marvin definitely comes out on top.

[Chris]

Just saw this thread tonight. Glad she got her transplant. I wonder if her kidneys will start working again once things settle down since in some circumstances this can occur.