Some Difficult News

We have begged for months now for somebody to come forward and be the hero our family needs. I am currently on vacation, and received a call yesterday from my stepfather. He said to me: "Sit down. Are you sitting? Your mom is now considered 'too sick.' She is no longer able to receive a liver from a living donor." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is terrifying news. I could not calm down, and it took me a long time before I could. I am devastated. Liver disease is degenerative. Although Mom has been sober a long time, once the damage was done, it continued. At diagnosis, Mom's liver function was only at about 25%. The last we were told, her liver function had dwindled to about 15%. There is, of course, a real possibility that liver function has decreased further since this report. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, why exactly can't Mom receive a partial liver from a living donor? That is what is really getting to me. We've had so many people tested, and one who was very close to being our hero. It stands to reason with me that a partial, healthy liver would work best compared to a whole liver from a deceased donor. Still, we have been told that mom's body is so sick and so weak that it will not be strong enough to receive only a partial liver. A healthy body will be able to regenerate a partial liver. Unfortunately, a body as sick as Mom's will only be able to do so much with a partial liver. Her body will have to use the partial liver inefficiently, and will be so busy compensating (as it has for so long now--the very thing that has weakened the rest of her body so substantially) that it will not be able to grow the remainder of the liver back as it needs to be grown. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are trying to remain positive, albeit that is difficult. In one sense, there is something good about Mom being so sick in terms of her now being a higher priority candidate for a deceased donor. I'm trying to be more encouraged than discouraged knowing this, but I struggle knowing the numbers are against us. Mom is one of 17,000 people in need of a liver. There are only 4,000 livers available. The most we can do now is hope and trust that Mom will be one of the 4,000 lucky recipients. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have struggled throughout this entire ordeal, as people say they will be or are praying for us. We are a family of professing, practicing Christians, BUT while we have faith in our Lord we also know that we must have faith in medicine as well. To have people say "you're in our prayers" has been a very kind sentiment, and the prayers we have received have been much felt and appreciated, but we have needed both prayers and action. It is difficult to admit, but it feels like in many cases "we'll pray for you" is little more than something people say when they feel there is nothing else to say. We have needed people to share our story, to be tested....but that option is off the table. Prayers--which we have needed all along--are all we have left. Pray for us. Pray hard, pray often, share our need for prayer. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mom's spirits the last few weeks have not been wonderful overall, but we are grateful (SO grateful) that the last few days they have been very high. Mom is smiling, her voice is strong, she has no catheter and has had no accidents without it. She is feeling everyone's love, support, and prayers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have planned to keep everybody posted on the blog, regardless of Mom no longer being a candidate for a living donor. Mom (and all of us) have some continued requests, however. Please, continue sharing our story. When Mom decided to share the cause of her liver disease, she was so adamant about raising awareness. She wants to continue to educate, knowing that there are others out there who need the same help we did and do, and that there is a stigma attached to her illness that we would like to see disappear. Mom wants those who have felt the pull to be tested for her to keep open hearts and minds. There are thousands of others out there who need the same miracle we do, and it's a miracle that anyone can give. To be tested, and to be an available donor, would save a life--The absolute most incredible gift anybody could give. This is my Mom's wish for all of you: That she and others might be able to experience the kindness you have all shown our family.