April 27, 2021
UPDATE: APRIL 27, 2021
Hello everyone,
After 18 days at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, 7 of them in the Intensive Care Unit, Doreen is back home in Wisconsin! She endured many, many tests, blood draws, a biopsy, and painful procedures on a daily basis, as well as being visited and treated by some of the best liver, lung and heart specialists. I am so proud of her strength through these last few weeks! The great news is that the Cleveland Clinic, rated #1 heart hospital in the country, has determined that Doreen does not need a heart or liver transplant AT THIS TIME! Of course, the complications with her heart and liver remain very serious, but it is not yet time for her to have to go through such invasive surgeries. Doreen is so happy to receive this news and be home, where she will continue to try to keep herself as heart-healthy as possible! She and I thank everyone deeply for the well wishes and donations and over the last year. These donations will continue to be used to cover deductibles, any other ongoing, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and her travel to and from the Cleveland Clinic where she will continue to be monitored.
March 22, 2021
UPDATE: March 22, 2021
Hi everyone,
Doreen is a courageous fighter and she is moving forward with her goal of receiving a new heart and liver... and I will fight with her as long as she wants me to! So, she and I will be driving to the Cleveland Clinic (Ohio) from Wisconsin the first week in April for her to be evaluated for a heart and liver transplant. If she is accepted (fingers crossed), and a heart and liver become available for her, Doreen will be staying in Cleveland for a lengthy stay. If she is fortunate enough to receive the double transplant, when Doreen is healthy enough to leave the hospital and rehab after transplant, she will need to stay in the Cleveland area for up to six months for weekly checks. Doreen's insurance does not cover travel or housing outside of the hospital. If you are able to donate to this amazing friend of mine, it would be so appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please send Doreen your love, prayers and best wishes. Thank you all!
Lori
January 23, 2021
UPDATE: JANUARY 23, 2021
Hey everyone,
Here is the latest news on Doreen. After the devastating news of not being accepted to the heart transplant list last October at the hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, Doreen courageously moved forward with contacting Columbia Hospital in New York City as recommended by her cardiologist. After many weeks of back and forth calls and paperwork, Doreen finally connected with the appropriate contacts, but unfortunately, Columbia declined the medical insurance Doreen carries.
While this was a big set back, Doreen once again pushed forward and reached out to Cleveland Clinic and University of Chicago Medicine. She is now waiting to hear from both of them to begin with a video chat.
This high level of stress continues for her working alone to get help. BUT….. without a heart transplant, Doreen’s health will continue to decline, and her organs will begin to shut down. She does not want to give up nor should she! Unfortunately, this will all be costly as her insurance will not cover everything, a few items being travel expenses to the state providing the transplant or housing in that location for the months of recovery.
PLEASE read her words and help if you can.
“Now that I may be traveling for my transplant, I am really in need of your help! I will not give up on myself; I have so much of my life to live! I have so much more to do on this Earth that includes seeing my grandkids, volunteering to share my music to the elderly and disabled, and my passion of saving animals. I am blessed to have such caring friends as you. Thank you so very much!”
November 2, 2020
November 2, 2020
Hello everyone,
New update on my amazing, courageous friend Doreen. She began meeting with a new cardiac care team in Madison, Wisconsin in mid-September. With new doctors and a new hospital, Doreen once again had to go through many phone calls, multiple tests, in person appointments in Madison, scans/x-rays, labs, appointments with other doctors such as the dentist to make sure all would be in good shape for her to receive a transplant. The good news was that this team said no need for a lung transplant. She would, however, still need a heart transplant with a possible liver transplant later on. There was concern that the scar tissue around Doreen’s heart could cause severe bleeding during surgery and postoperatively but could be treated with medication and time to heal. Everything was still continuing to move forward. Sadly, the antigen test results came back showing that Doreen would have a high likelihood of rejecting a new heart. With this news and the scar tissue concerns, the team therefore declined to give her a transplant. Of course, there are no words for Doreen’s devastation upon hearing this news.
Her current cardiologist is recommending hospitals in other states that will perform high risk organ transplants. Doreen is now waiting on a call from doctors from Columbia Hospital in New York. This is just SO much stress for someone who already has a damaged heart. Without a heart transplant, Doreen’s health will continue to decline, and her organs will begin to shut down. She does not want to give up nor should she! Unfortunately, this will all be costly. PLEASE read her words and help if you can:
“Now that I may be traveling for my transplant, I am really in need of your help! I will not give up on myself; I have so much of my life to live! I have so much more to do on this Earth that includes seeing my grandkids, volunteering to share my music to the elderly and disabled, and my passion of saving animals. I am blessed to have such caring friends as you. Thank you so very much!”
August 20, 2020
AUGUST 20, 2020
NEW UPDATE ON DOREEN!
Doreen continues to recover slowly at home after being so ill in the hospital a few weeks ago. She has made the decision to meet with a new cardiac team in Madison, Wisconsin, in early September to discuss her case for a heart, lung and liver transplant. I will provide another update for everyone after that meeting. Please continue to keep Doreen in your prayers and if you are able to donate to help with her care/bills, it is very much appreciated. Thank you!!
August 5, 2020
UPDATE: AUGUST 4, 2020
Unfortunately, the medication given to Doreen while in the hospital did not help to decrease the pressures in her heart and lungs, which was needed for the transplant. They made her violently ill, wreaking havoc on her body. She suffered with severe vomiting, great fluid retention and a UTI. She also had to have a blood transfusion. Once she was taken off the medication, she stayed in the hospital for another week to gain back some strength before she returned home.
Sadly, Doreen learned while in the hospital that she also has pulmonary hypertension, which means she now needs a heart, liver and LUNG transplant. She will be meeting with another cardiac team in Madison, Wisconsin because Heart-lung transplants are not performed in the Milwaukee area. Doreen is still working on regaining her strength back and she is faced again with deciding on an extremely difficult decision. Her health is very fragile right now.
Thank you again to all who donated; Doreen is so appreciative. Please keep her in your prayers.
