I originally set up a Go Fund me for transplant related expenses and you guys blew me away. I have had plenty done for our family lately and I am most definitely not asking for donations but McKenzie and I have been asked by dozens of family and friends what they can do to help and honestly, gas money and the cost of eating in Atlanta for Anthony daily are beyond what you would expect. We also are going to have to do some ADA improvements to our house so I can live normally and comfortably. Please read the 2 updated events that I have added to my story to know exactly what is going on and do not feel pressured at all to donate, prayers are worth just as much. ( McKenzie’ post on my behalf) Hey everyone! I wanted to give a quick update on mama. As many of you know she has been in the hospital all week. Last Sunday she spiked a fever so we took her to the ER in Atlanta. They quickly confirmed that she was septic again. Luckily, she was not near as sick as last time. She spent a few days in the ICU while the doctors tried to locate the source of infection and get her labs and vitals stable. After many test and discussions it was finally discovered that she has an abscess on her liver. We knew this was a possibility due to parts of her liver being starved from oxygen back in April. After discussing with the team the best options, and how we can prevent further infections, mama decided to move forward with the double amputation. She had surgery Friday to remove both of her feet and then had a drain placed in her liver on Saturday. Everything went well and she is doing very good. This process has been very painful, but she has had an amazing attitude about it the entire time. They are confident that with therapy she will be able to have prosthetics fitted and back on her feet. As far as her liver, we were told it is a waiting game. Abscesses are usually cured with drainage and antibiotics, so we are hopeful that the two will work for her. However, the doctors have warned us that there is a chance that is does not work and she could be looking at recurrent infections and a possible transplant again in the future. We could use all the prayers that they are able to clear the infection completely, and that this is the last round of sepsis for her. Additionally, she could use prayers as she begins the process of adjusting to her new life. She has another long road ahead of her, but I know she can do it. Again, thank you all for your support and prayers! We feel them all and are so grateful for every one of them! ( McKenzie’s post on my behalf) Hey everyone! This is McKenzie posting for my mom. As many of you have heard she has been hospitalized since last Friday. She had a procedure done last Wednesday, which went well, but unfortunately became sick late Thursday night. After reaching out to her liver team everyone decided it was best for her to come into the hospital to recover IV antibiotics because they believed she had developed pancreatitis. My dad and her headed to Piedmont Atlanta hospital around lunch. When they were about five minutes away from the hospital my mom became unresponsive in the car with my dad. By the time they got to the ER and got her into a room she was barely breathing and had to be intubated. At this point the doctors told us that she had become septic from a bacteria that she was introduced to during the procedure. After many more test it was discovered that she had a clot in the main artery of her liver. Her body had created new “pathways” but when her blood pressure dropped the pathways collapsed and prevented blood flow to her liver. That night we were told that she only had a 10% chance of surviving. The liver team and ICU worked all night to get her stable and did everything they could to give her a chance. She was placed on CRRT since her kidneys were not functioning, three pressers to help increase her blood pressure, and remained intubated and sedated. Saturday we were told the only thing that would save her life was another liver transplant. They told us that there would be a very small window where she would be stable enough for surgery and they would have to gain access to a special machine to help the donor liver perfuse since the surgery would be so long. We were told that this surgery was very risky considering her state and it would be a last ditch effort to save her life. Of course this all depended on her staying stable throughout Saturday night. Sunday morning the liver team came in and told my dad and I that we were in that window and they were getting ready to activate her on the transplant list. They were going to meet with the committee and would be back with paperwork for us to sign. However when they came back they actually informed us that her labs had improved so much over the night that she did not qualify for an emergency transplant and actually believed that her liver was working again. We decided to just continue to monitor her labs and vitals very closely and give her current liver a chance to work. Luckily she continued to improve and we were able to extubate her Monday. Since she has woken up she has faced many hurdles (collapsed lung, paralyzed vocal cords, and multiple blood clots) and we still have a VERY long road ahead of us, but as of now, her liver function is at 90% and continues to improve. We actually moved out of ICU on Friday and are currently on the transplant floor. She is slowly regaining her strength and ability to speak/swallow. We will forever be grateful for the team here at Piedmont. The ER, ICU, and Transplant team have been incredible. They have worked tirelessly to save her life. They have kept us informed every step of the way and went above and beyond. Me and my entire family would like to say thank you for all of the prayers and support we have received the past week. They have all been heard and we are so appreciative of the love that we have received. Hi! I am seriously against this as I don’t want to ask anyone for money but I have been encouraged to try by my Transplant Financial Advisor, because the cost of the transplant, having to live in Atlanta for 1 month minimum after surgery and cost of medication is all astronomical. My husband will also be with me most of the time unless a family member is giving him a break and this is required by the transplant team. So him working his daily job will not be able to happen. I have cirrhosis (non-alcoholic) of the liver. At the age of 16 I was told my liver was already not 100% and I would require a transplant at sometime in my future. I lost my mom 3 years ago very suddenly to the same disease and they at least can now say it’s probably hereditary. I have a 22 year old daughter graduating UGA and applying to medical school and a 16 year old son who aspires to attend UGA and become an architect. In order to see these things occur and hopefully watch them marry and have grandchildren for me to love I have to have a new liver. I am currently at the top of UNOS for my region and blood type. I had been very much on the bottom until some infection attacked my body. I also have Lupus and have to take medication to be able to function daily but it makes my immune system very easy to attack because it’s an autoimmune medication. With all of this happening so quickly I was really pushed to get this up and going. I don’t mind answering any questions if someone wants more info and I or my daughter will update as things progress. I really appreciate you taking the time to read this and anything helps. I am leaving all of my concerns and worries with God and know that he will take care of me and my family as the time comes. Monthly medicine estimate my portion is $1380 Daily room after discharge at a Piedmont facility 60.00 per night if room available. Hotels offer discounts also but it varies and is more than AHHH house for Piedmont patients. Unfortunately regular monthly bills still continue at home. travel expenses and food expenses
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