February 12, 2026
I'm back. And I feel like I either pissed someone off upstairs, or I was a horrible person in my former life. Although things had calmed down a bit for me, here I go with another few rounds in the ring... In 2024, I had a HORRIFIC knee injury. It happened at work: I couldn't walk at all for the first few weeks, without a brace for a few months, and still cannot go up the stairs without pain. It set me back so far, and it took a lot to be even somewhat physical. Emotionally, I've been spent. On top of the physical difficulties, I went through a divorce last year. It took a long time to come to the realization that not everyone is capable of dealing with possible fatal illnesses. I'm good with that part of it - but I never got married to get divorced. I didn't think it would ever happen, and I certainly did not wish it on my boys. With that being said, sometimes peace comes at a high price.
I've been doing my best to take care of the effects the transplant has had on the rest of my body. No one tells you what the fallout will be like. You have this amazing chance at living a full life post transplant, but they really didn't explain the "after". I had liver complications from the time of the transplant and for next 2yrs after. Every 6-8wks I was going back for repeat procedures - they were going through my belly, into my liver to exchange stents, clean the liver ducts out, testing flow, and then leaving an external drain. This was SO very painful, inconvenient, and definitely not what I expected or wanted. The immunosuppressants affect me in ways I couldn't have guessed: I now need to have cataract surgery, I have scars, varices (enlarged blood vessels om the verge of rupture) and spider veins (from the internal pressure). I also have 3 hernias in need of repair.
The biggest problem now: my mouth ( I know my Mom will argue and say my big mouth has been a problem long before the transplant.. I get it Mom.). My gums are pulling away, my front teeth have moved apart, some of my teeth are collapsing inward. I am so embarrassed to talk or smile. I cannot eat correctly, and I certainly speak differently. It has been frustrating to say the least. Last year, I was TERRIFIED that my liver was being rejected with the amount of pain I was feeling. Come to find out, I had blood clots in my portal and hepatis veins (both feed into the liver). I'm now on Warfarin, a blood thinner, for the rest of my life.
As if that isn't enough, 2 wks ago, I started experiencing some familiar symptoms. I was feeling very itchy (BIG "OH NO,,,"), so from experience, I knew to have my labs drawn. All of my liver enzymes were extremely elevated. I didn't immediately panic, as I had just been on antibiotics not too long before that, which can cause the elevation. I sent my hepatologist a message and that I would be repeating my labs. Enzymes still high, my concern growing, my doc ordered an MRCP (specialized MRI). Unfortunately, a narrowing of multiple ducts was seen. Therefore, I will be going back into the hospital for another one of the procedures to add stents in multiple ducts, flow tests, and a possible external drain placed. I was so hoping not to have to even revisit this part. I'm not looking forward to the pain, the sheer inconvenience of it all, and the thought of having to again, go back every 6-8wks to repeat the procedure. I am feeling broken. Frustrated. Angry. My heart hurts. And I'm definitely exhausted. But I will never quit, or give up, even though some of these things could break someone's spirit and crush their soul.
Your enormous hearts have brought me through some of the worst of my days. And then carried me right to seeing my boys become young men. Have girlfriends. Pick colleges. Choose to become practicing Catholics (AMEN!) Among so many other special moments. Saying thank you isn't enough, and I could never TRULY express how I feel, but I appreciate each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. Selfish as it may seem (I'm sorry!), I'm asking for more. Please, if you can all keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I would SO appreciate it. You lift me up in ways I cannot even explain, so I don't even try. But I do my best to pass all of this on to whomever needs the support like I do. Love, good wishes, and forever thanks to all of you, your friends, and families!
March 7, 2022
So, again, here we are, a good amount of time has passed since my last update. I was hoping to be able to give everyone an update with how wonderful things have been going, but I can’t. This last month really knocked me on my ass - physically and emotionally. Again, I had to explain to my boys that something could happen to me during one of my procedures. And again, I am having complications and other challenges…
On Feb 4th, after expressing concerns for months over increasing liver enzymes (not what we want to be happening), I had a procedure scheduled, to again, go in through my abdomen, to check out my liver and the connecting duct. Let’s say, it did not go as planned, at all.
My Mom and I were there for the procedure with a start time of 630am. I finally was taken back at 830. My Mom received a few texts saying that the procedure was going well. Then a text saying it was progressing. It wasn’t until after 330 that my Mom knew I was in recovery. I woke up IMMEDIATELY knowing something went terribly wrong. Too much time has passed. The pain in my abdomen was unbearable. My sciatic nerve was SCREAMING. And no one would tell me anything.
I don’t remember much, but my Mom was with me until 8pm. I lost a day, because I thought the rest of what happened was still on that Friday. Sometime during Fri/Sat, I remember the nurses commenting on hanging the 5th bag of fluids for me and how my blood pressure was at 70/55. I also remember SEEING my blood pressure reading at 60/33. After that, I didn’t know that I had an IV bag of epinephrine to try to increase my BP, that there was a crash cart in my room, or that I was moved to the ICU. My Mom; my emergency contact, my medical power of attorney; did not know any of that either. And at least for 8hrs. Thankfully, one of my good friends had called and after a lot of convincing of the nursing staff, eventually found me.
We found out that I was septic from the procedure. The Drs had found that since August, my new duct, had completely scarred closed. They could not get through it on either side, even after trying for several hours. They actually had to make a brand new opening in my liver, and connect it to my colon with an internal drain. They are hoping my body will “form” a new duct around the drain. During this part of the procedure is when I became septic.
And yet again, I now have an external drain. I was hospitalized until Feb 9th, but not released for work until the 21st. To a new job, that I don’t know if I will be able to keep. Solely, because I will be going every 4-6 weeks to repeat the procedure of them checking the internal drain and growth, changing out my external drain for a larger one, and possibly repeating the process of placing stents into the new “duct”.
I don’t know what my future holds, I could lose this job, I may lose my health benefits, this “fix” may not be a fix at all. What I do know is that I have too many good things in my life to even think about giving up: my amazing boys, my incredible family, my irreplaceable friends, and all of the support and prayers of so many people . So thank all of YOU, for giving me reasons!!
July 16, 2021
I know it's been a little while, and again, I'm sorry. And again, I've had complications.
Yesterday I had my 4th "surgery" (besides the transplant and multiple other procedures) and I'm feeling beat up. My lips are all cut up and my throat is bruised and sore from being intubated, the site is super irritated, along with muscles underneath, so I'm moving very slowly and carefully. The procedure itself went well. Each surgery I had prior, the doctors placed stents and an external drain into a liver duct so, 1. they could close up a hole/leak, 2. drain excess fluid that had built up, 3. stretch the duct itself, 4. monitor flow, and 5. have easier access for the next time. But, this time, they removed everything, in hopes that they won't have to replace it all sometime down the road.
Even though it went well, it has been frustrating, disappointing, reinjuring to my already inflamed abdomen, slowing/halting my healing, and downright painful. I thought for sure I would be feeling better by now, and farther along in my healing process. But then I remind myself that this is a marathon, not a sprint. That this is all temporary. I remind myself that this time last year, I was hoping for a miracle, and finding a donor. That this is nothing compared to what I was dealing with before the transplant. That I was actually writing letters to my boys and my loved ones, in case I didn't make it. I remind myself of so many others that are suffering way worse than I ever have. Thinking about all of the strangers I didn't even know, offering to be tested. Strangers I hadn't even met, donating. People I hadn't heard from in years offering their help. SO many people stepping up in ways I didn't even know I needed, and that I still need.
So, if you want to know how I'm doing..? I'm scared with such an uncertain future. I'm sore, tired, not sleeping well, not eating much, but I'm ALIVE. I'm here. And I realize... I have my miracle. I have been blessed with so much support, a new liver, my donor, my friends, new and old; family, and a second chance.
March 31, 2021
First, I need to apologize that I haven't kept everyone as updated as I can. Recovery from the actual transplant was a little rough in the beginning, I spent a lot of time sleeping and being in pain. It was very tiring just being awake. Then slowly, it started to get a little more tolerable day by day.
Unfortunately, I had a few minor setbacks (comparatively speaking): a partially collapsed lung, a leak in the duct between my body and my new liver, one duct was dilated, and there was a narrowing of one of the ducts.
I needed to get the fluid drained from the space around my lung, a stent placed in the one duct (thankfully, this took care of the leak, the narrowing, AND the dilated duct), and a drain put in my abdomen. This not only pulled the backed up fluid from my liver, but also left an opening for when the Drs need to go back in to remove the stent.
In the meantime, I was admitted back into the hospital, because then I developed an infection around the drain site.
It has been a roller coaster dealing with everything this last year, and some days all I want to do is lay in bed and cry. But, I know that won't help or change anything. So, I've tried to stay as positive as possible, which is so much easier with the continued good wishes, prayers, positive thoughts, generosity, support, and love I get from all of you. Again, I appreciate it to no end, and I would not have gotten through all I have already, if it wasn't for you!
And on that note, I am truly sorry that I have not kept up on the thank you cards, but I WILL continue to write them all, no matter how long it takes!
January 24, 2021
1/24/21
Hi everyone! Just wanted to give you an update after my transplant. But first, I want to say thanks to my living donor. I never would have survived without her. I know I will never be able to repay her in any suitable way. She is truly a miracle, my angel, and my hero all in one! Next, I'd like to thank everyone for the outputting and overwhelming amount of support, prayers, good thoughts, and generosity. I couldn't do it without you either! (Ok, this is starting to sound an awful lot like an acceptance speech...)
So, after 54 staples, 15 HR surgery, 2 drains, my liver transplant - priceless. There's no amount of words or emotions that adequately address either, or the steadiness if the surgeons hands, the tireless teams working with each of us. All I can say is thank you and thank God. I am determined to pay it forward after recovery. And until then, comes the hard part. Pushing myself harder than I have ever. I will be sore, I'll want to quit, but I won't. That's the only way I can give back right now...
January 7, 2021
One more thing I forgot to mention... It may take me awhile, but I promise to thank each one of you individually (I've never been good at writing thank you notes!), just please be patient with me! ;-)
January 7, 2021
1/6/21
Happy New Year to all of you! I hope you can agree with me that it has already been better than 2020! For those of you who don't know, I received the best Christmas gift I could ever possibly ask for - a viable donor! One of my Mom's oldest friend's daughter has not only agreed to be a donor, but she is a match as well! Meaning I will have my transplant surgery on Jan 20th.
I am not only nervous and happy, but excited and to be honest, a little scared too. My surgery will last 12-16 hours, my donor's surgery about 12 hours, and we will be on our own. We are allowed one visitor at a time, but only 2 total. (I REALLY detest COVID at this point). But, the real work will start after the surgery.
Recovery is going to be difficult and painful. I will have to be on steroids, antibiotics, anti-rejection meds, and any other "anti" drug you can think of. I will have drains coming out of everywhere, I will be intubated, I'll have pretty close to 100 staples for my incision. I will have daily labs and check-ups daily for the the first week, at least. I will probably be required to get out of bed and walk the day after surgery. I will feel great at first, but then worse as time goes on. I won't be able to drive for a month (small sacrifices, right..?), but , I'm not sure if I will even feel up to it. My donor will have it a little easier than me, but she will still need time to recover. She will have time off from her job, but it will be unpaid. I'm hoping, with this foundation, we can help her pay a lot of her bills since she is giving the most selfless gift for me. So, I'm asking again, for your help. This time it's not just for me, but for my donor, as well.
I have been astounded by the generosity, support, prayers, thoughts, and help I have received from so many people. Truth be known, I am overwhelmed. I know I can never repay any of you for all you have done for me and my family, but I know that as soon as I recover completely, I will be paying it forward to others that are in a difficult time in there lives. I can never say it enough, but thank you. Thank you for EVERYTHING you have done for my family.
October 29, 2020
I cannot begin to thank you all for the overwhelming response of positive thoughts, support, prayers, and generosity! I appreciate it more than I will ever be able to express. I will still give you what may be a feeble attempt, but THANK YOU SO VERY Much. Please know that I will be thanking each and everyone of you, individually, but it may take awhile...
September 18, 2020
I'd like to tell you about our daughter Janeen (Witowski) Hanselman, our first child and only daughter. She is a daughter any parent can only dream of having. She is kind, thoughtful, intelligent, brave and a loving mother to 12 year old twins. She is the first to step in whenever someone needs help or a listening ear. When she had heard that a friend and her children were anticipating sad holidays, Janeen immediately organized a fundraiser to provide Christmas gifts, clothing, toys and monetary donations for the family. Now it is her time to ask for help.
Our daughter was born with congenital issues involving her liver and underwent a major surgery at 6 years of age. Her health truly began to deteriorate within the last few years and she has been unable to work or care for her sons as needed. Between March and September of 2020 alone, she has had 7 hospitalizations including time spent in ICU. Now at the age of 47, she is in desperate need of a liver transplant.
We are asking family and friends to help us in fundraising with the nonprofit Help Hope Live to assist with critical expenses. Although Janeen has insurance there are many expenses which are not covered. The cost of just the anti rejection drugs, which she will need to take for the rest of her life, may exceed thousands of dollars a month.
Donations to Help Hope Live can help ease some of the financial burden of a transplant, allowing Janeen to focus on attaining a healthy recovery and life.
