Sunday 5/31

Got discharged from the hospital yesterday.  I stopped at mom's before coming home because they were selling the rest of the stuff from the yard sale the other week at the community sale.  I hung out for a little bit, went home, put on my pajamas and laid on the couch.  I fell asleep on the couch and didn't wake up until 9.  I had to get my tpn together and hook myself up to the iv.  That was the extent of my day yesterday.

Today wasn't much more exciting.  My brother came over to fix the ice maker.  He's a lifesaver and does so much to help us out.   I don't know what I would do without him.  

Then Kelly came over to help me pack.  As you can see...we accomplished a lot!

That was just an hour worth of packing.  Almost the whole kitchen!  Only a couple more things to go. We left a little bit out so that we will need over the next couple of weeks.

Kelly hung out for a little bit and then I took my medicine and chilled out for the evening.  It's been a pretty uneventful weekend but I'm grateful to be home.  Until tomorrow.  Goodnight.

Friday 5/29

I'm honestly feeling the love right now.   Here's why:

(Logo designed by Kelly Schavnis)

Keep this date in mind.  I will let you know when there's more detailson this.  My friends are hosting this event and are really going the extra mile.  

My Dad is setting up another sub sale and proceeds will go towards the fundraising.  

Colin is setting up a golf tournament to fundraise as well!  More details on this to come later.

We will also be selling rubber bracelets in lavender, teal and lime green that say "Heather's Hope For Health".  When they are available I will let you know.

Everyone is going above and beyond to do what they can to raise money for my transplant.  I feel so blessed.  If anyone has any connections as far as donations for prizes etc.  Please reach out and see if there's anything you can do to help.  We have salons donating gift cards for massages, restaurants gift cards, free round of golf, etc.  It would be a huge help and we would be forever grateful.  

On another note. . . I'm still in the hospital.  They have taken me off of the iv Meds and changed everything to oral Meds.  As long as my body can process them and it works out ok, I will be discharged tomorrow.   Lots of prayers that the pain goes away.   They did an exam today and there is an abundant amount of scar tissue in my abdomen.  Those of you who know me well know that scar tissue is my worst enemy.  It takes over and there's really nothing the doctors can do for it.  So....hopefully my body will stop producing it and it will start to settle so the pain subsides.  

The nurses here at LGH have been awesome!  They are understanding and empathetic.  Nurses that aren't even assigned to my room have been stopping in to see how I'm doing.  They all want to follow my care and are rooting for me to have a speedy recovery and to get my transplant.  A couple of them sit with me and pray.  It has really made me appreciate the nursing profession.  

The big news for the week: I got a call from Mary in Pittsburgh.  The doctors have made a decision on my transplant.  They have decided to put me on hold for the moment.   They want to do another liver biopsy in August to compare to the one I had in March.  Once they can compare and see what additional damage (if any) has been done to the liver as a result of the TPN, they will proceed with getting insurance approval for the procedure.  If insurance approves it, I will be listed.  

I'm not really sure how I feel about it.  Part of me wanted it sooner, part of me wanted it now.  I just have to remember that God has a purpose for me and it's all in his hands.  I will keep praying for him to use his wisdom to do what's best and ask that you do the same.   Have a good night.  

Wednesday 5/28

Still in the hospital.  Not too much has changed.  I'm still having a lot of pain.   They are trying to manage the symptoms.   Unfortunately if it is scar tissue there's not much they can do for it.  I'm feeling a little defeated.  I wish I wasn't constantly jumping hurdles just to survive every day.  

On another note....Dr. Harborson suggested I create a Facebook page.  I'm sure some of you may have seen it, if not ....join me on Facebook!  I'm not sure how it works yet, but I'm sure I can get some lessons from my friends that like to Facebook stalk 😉.  You know who you are!!  

I'll post more tonight.  Until then...

Wednesday 5/27

Guess where I am tonight.....

Last night I fell asleep on the couch.  I was having pain in my abdomen different from any other pain I had been experiencing.  Besides still having the pain when I woke up, my morning started out pretty normal.  I got up, fed the dogs, showered and got ready for my doctor's appointment.  It was just a follow up appointment with my family doctor to review meds, etc.  I went to the appointment.  Everything went pretty well.  The doctor gave me refills on my meds and said a little prayer for me before I left.  

After my appointment I decided to go to the bank and open a fundraising account.  I was at the bank waiting for my turn and when the woman came over to get me I stood up (probably too fast) and everything went black.  When I realized what was going on I had just enough time to sit down in the chair.  A couple employees rushed over to me and asked if they should call an ambulance and what they should do.  I told them I was fine and after lots of convincing they decided to leave me be.  I called Dr. Harbrorson while I was there which eased their worries.  I went in to the office while I was waiting for the doctor to call back and I set up the account.  

The doctor called back and said to go straight to the emergency room.  I finished up at the bank, called Colin and drove myself to the ER.  In the ER the doctor sent me for bloodwork, did X-rays of my chest and abdomen and checked a urine sample.  X-rays came back with no bowel obstruction.  Urine came back negative with no infection.  Bloodwork came back with few changes.  Dr. Harbrorson came in to the ER to see me and said that there's a possibility of scar tissue breaking free which is causing the pain.  He also gave me the results of my B vitamins.   Vitamin B12 was normal.  Vitamin B6 is almost double the normal B6 level.  High B6 levels could result in nausea, vomiting, pain and neuropathy.  The B6 levels could be contributing to my symptoms.  I'm in so much pain that he didn't feel comfortable letting me go home and admitted me for pain and nausea control.  Needless to say I'm now in the hospital.  

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.  Until then....

Tuesday 5/26

I had my infusion today.   Not much happened.  It was a pretty uneventful day.  My infusion took up my whole morning.

After my infusion I went home because the home nurse had to do my bloodwork.   She was in and out in no time at all.  

I got a juicer the other day to try to absorb a tiny bit of nutrients naturally.   I decided to try it out so Colin and I went to Roots and for some fruits and veggies to try it out.   We got home and made a couple juice concoctions.   Note:  if adding Ginger to juice, be careful how much you add.  It will take over your whole glass!!   It wasn't a bad deal.   We got the juicer for 20.  It worked pretty well even though it's cheap.

Then after dinner my mom and I had plans to go shopping for my birthday.  We went to look for an area rug.  We scored one super cheap at Gabriel Brothers in York.  After that I was just exhausted beyond belief and went home and chilled out.  I didn't post last night because I ended up falling asleep on the couch.   I will post later this evening.  My fingers are crossed that I have a productive day today.  

Pics from today

Ignore my double chin!!!!

Happy Memorial Day! 5/25

Happy Memorial Day everyone! I hope you had a great day and took some time to reflect on the reason for this day as well.  

Colin left early this morning to go fishing and gave me some peace and quiet to sleep in.  When he got back from fishing he went into work for a little bit.  He came home around 11 so we decided to move some boxes to our new home.  We also took the deer mounts and fish mounts off the wall and moved them to their new home as well.  We also cleaned out our closets.  It seemed like a pretty productive day.

My mom was having a picnic this evening so I went over and hung out for a little bit.  She was filling up the swimming pool so I was actually able to get in it.  The first and last time of the season.  I was in with the twins.  We had a great time playing Marco Polo and freeze tag.  Needless to say...now I'm exhausted but spending time with them made it all worth it!

I'm home now.  I'm just going to relax because I have another iron infusion tomorrow and I want to make sure I will be strong enough to get through it.  Here's some pictures from today.  I will update you tomorrow.  I'm hoping to get back the results from my blood test last week and am anxious to see what determination Pittsburgh has made in regards to my transplant.  Have a good night.