MobilityWorks
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Most of you don’t know me.
Even those that have been around for years.
Updates (7)
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!
