I know the date is Feb. 7 but what day post transplant I can't tell you. It is very difficult to type due to the med or pain. My sister posed a good post in the comments filed that I am including now with my add -in.
Hello Everyone, This is Heather's sister again. I know that silence may be frightening, so I will provide an update here in the comments section (I do not have the ability to post to the main page). Since Heather has returned to the hospital (with pneumonia), she has also contracted a liver disease called "VOD". This disease is related to the high volume of chemotherapy that Heather has taken over the entire course of her struggle. Somewhere between 5-10% of all transplant patients experience this side effect and the physicians say it is serious. VOD can be mild, moderate, or severe. We do not yet know where Heather's case falls along this spectrum. As of today still don't know. We have reason to believe, though, that her outlook may be optimistic because her white blood cell counts have risen in the past few days and her body is working to fight the VOD. Heather is not writing because she is in a lot of pain and often heavily medicated. My nurse and I have been trying to work out the melds so I am not totally knocked out but not sitting around in pain. Because her liver is malfunctioning, she is not processing nutrients properly and is retaining large volumes of fluid. This fluid is pressing on her digestive organs and lungs - no real lung pain just my liver and causing the pain. Unfortunately it seems that even if she is able to adequately fight off the liver disease, these effects (the painful effects of the excess fluid) will last weeks if not months.
My body is responding slowley of course They guesstimate next Thursday next Thursday I can come home. Heather drifts in and out of lucidity due to the pain medication. Yep I drift in and out lucidity. Dave and I have had some weird conversations when he comes to visit. The last and my most favourite side effect weightgain! Essentially I am limited on how much I drink because my liver doesn't understand how to flush it right now. I take diuretics that donesn't work well. I pretty much dropped about 10 lbs during my last stay just to return and add on another 20. Until the VOD is undercontrol the weight will continue to rise. It's amazing how much fluid you can retain since I am well aware of what I been eating. Pretty much nothing since it's hospital food.
So with this liver dysfunction you get pain and weight gain; of good!
During the more sober moments of our conversations I always tell her how many people have visited her blog, who has sent their prayers, and how many people are on "Team Heather". She is always surprised and happy to hear how many people are cheering her on, so please keep your positive thoughts coming! Thank you and God bless! Michele
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Thanks Michele for the update. I was even more pleased to see that you had written too Heather. I keep praying that these things could go more smoothly like the text books! We will keep our prayers going. Love to all of you.
Aunt Linda
Heather,
I want you to know that our family thinks about you often. Tonight at dinner I talked to the girls about todays post. I want you to know that Brad, me, and the girls all think you are the bravest and most strong person we know. We are praying for you and your family. Keep fighting Heather.
We Love you.
Love Brad, Tina,
Ashley, Christa, Lindsay, and Kayla
Heather-
It's very relieving to hear from you. Thanks to Michele for the update, she was right, the silence is frightening. We love and miss you and can't wait until you're back home.
Love, Nikki (Paul..Jake...Noah...Buddy:-))
Dear Sweet Heather, My heart goes out to you. If I could take on some of your burden I would gladly do so. I can only encourage you to be strong and to lean on all those who love you when you're feeling tired. I would also encourage you to think about your family - and the wonderful blessing your precious childern are - I'm sure that will lift your spirits and give you strength. My son is a cancer survivor, just one of millions of people who have survived. It is a challenge, it's not easy, but it is possible. Remember that every moment, especially when you're feeling your worst. Be relentless in the pursuit of this battle. My prayers are with you and your family. CD
Heather,
This is Michele's friend from Moscow. I've been following your progress and just wanted to say how much I admire you for being so strong and so brave.You are in my thoughts. Your children are beautiful!
Lyuda
Dear Heather,
I play broomball in Moscow with your sister Michele. We work together at the Embassy. She told our team about your situation. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Michele and your family. Two good friends of mine are suffering through major diseases, including breast cancer/chemo. I know that being surrounded by love and prayers can do wonders. Please hang in there --your friends, family and strangers are all praying for you.
Love,
Michele
Heather, It's Jane just read your update I am sorry to hear all this. Just keep on fighting. You are very strong. I say a prayer for you and David and the children every day. I have friends praying for you also. Prayer is a very strong thing. I know you are going to beat this terrible disease. Just remain as positive as you are now. Rest and get well enough to come home. Jane O
Heather:
Every message you send, and those with Michele, mean a lot to us. We read everything that everyone else sends too. You have so many friends.
When you feel like it, we look forward to getting together with you. We have a surprise.
All you have to do is say: "I want you to visit--now"! We've already
laced up our skates, and the horses are saddled up out back.
You're up for Super-Cousin 2007, and you've already got 4 votes from here--Sam and Hal (they're pre-registered), and I voted twice.
Hi.
See you soon.
Big love from
Sam, Hal and Kim
Thanks, Michele, for the update, we are all concerned and the silence was difficult. Heather, I think of you everyday and you make me hug my boys just a little bit tighter. Our whole family is pulling for you, even my mom, whom I share your blog with and who passes on her thoughts and prayers. I am impressed by your fight and your bravery, you are an inspiration and hero to us all.
Love,
Michele, Dave, Ryan, Charles, and Michael
Hi Heather,
I was so happy to see you did a little posting to your blogg yourself. Little steps every day ... You're a strong young woman, and I know you will kick butt, and get better soon.
A big thanks to Michele for keeping everyone posted.
Dan asks about you very day, and we both will be up to see you this weekend, now that we know you can have quests :o)!
So, take care, love, love and more love from Dan and me, Bootzie, too.
Louise
Heather,
Your fighting spirit is amazing and inspirational. We are all pulling for you at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Like your weblink says "Cancer is your Bitch" and you are going to beat this disease!!
Michael
UPDATE HERE!!
I just spoke to my mother (who is at the hospital) and would like to pass along Heather's latest news for today (in case she will not have a chance to do so herself).
In the past twenty-four hours, Heather's problems with her liver have begun to stabilize and she has stopped gaining water weight. If her symptoms continue to level off, the doctors anticipate that her VOD will be "moderate". Relatively speaking, this is good news.
The not-so-good news is that the pain has increased and she has graduated to morphine to manage the pain. According to my Mom, the morphine leaves Heather more coherent than before.
Despite these problems with the liver, the doctors want to avoid delaying radiation. Heather will meet with her radiation oncolcogist later today to discuss the next steps on this front.
I just have to exclaim that my sister is truly a fighter and I am prouder of her than I have ever been in my life!
I know I speak for Heather when I say, once again, thank you all for the support. Life is a team sport and Heather has a great team.
Michele
Hello, Heather.
I am one of Kibbie's friends, Tiffany. I just wanted to let you know that you will be in my heart and prayers as you are going through all this. You sound like a very strong woman, and I pray that God continues to increase your strength both physically, and mentally.
Heather,
Tim and I talk about you every day! We just know things are going to start looking up for you soon! We've also decided that once this is all over and done with we will all have to have the biggest and best Lake Powell trip ever!
Praying for you and your family every day! I'm always here to help if you ever need anything.
Kibbie
Hi Huck-a-dutz
Just seeing that you can manage to post at all is a postive sign. And bless Michele for helping out. Those of us who have direct contract with you Mom or someone forget sometimes that the rest of the world is left in the dark. I told you once that when I had radiation I had a mantra I would run over and over in my brain to drown out the buzzing noise of the radiation machine. It was "Kill the Cancer, Kill the Cancer"..over and over until the buzzing stopped for that treatment. IT WORKED AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO IT WHEN YOU START RADIATION. See you in a couple of weeks and love you lots..Aunt Joyce
We're thinking of you and so impressed at the way you and Michele can think of us and keep us posted so calmly and clearly. Even when you wake in the night people in the UK and Russia are awake and thinking of you. Love, Bridget and Steven
Heather, please know the Saint Luke family continues to pray for you each day and of course during worship Sunday morning. God has such a treasure in you and you are an inspiration to so many. Our Lord continue to hold you and give you strength each day. Indeed, you are one of God's shining gems! Our love and prayers are with you.
+ Pastor Miller and the Saint Luke family
Heather,
Once again it is after midnight here in the U.K. but I can't go to bed without telling you that you are in my thoughts every waking minute & I even dream about you when I do manage to get to sleep!!
God bless!
All our love, Edna & Werner
Heather: I have been keeping up with your blog daily since you started it and I am amazed at your positive attitude and strength. I was glad to see that you have been able to start posting a few comments again.
I am sending lots of prayers your way and hope you continue to improve day by day. I know Grandpa Jim would be proud of your fighting spirit.
God bless,
Charlene
Dear Heather,
You are the most courageous young woman. Please know you are in our daily prayers-- prayers for your renewed strength and healing, for your continued hope and optimism, for your sweet family and their peace of mind, and most of all for your knowledge and assurance that God walks through this ordeal beside you every step of the way.
Love,
Michael and Mary Jordan (Matt & Jesse's parents)
Thanks again Michele for the post! YEA!Heather I was glad to read about the improvement! Hang on Kiddo! One day you will not have to take two steps forward only to have to take one step back. I am here for you, Dave and the kids. As always
Love and prayers.
Aunt Linda
We love you Heather. Our prayers for your energy & healing are constant. Matt & Jessica
Heather,
How are you today? Better I hope. Is the sun shining? That always helps me feel uplifted. I've been thinking about you, praying for you and trying to think what I can do to support you through this challenging time. I like looking at photos of my husband, kids and grandkids - which always makes my heart feel like it's overflowing with love. Being a wife and mother and now a grandmother - who would have thought life could be so wonderful, so worthwhile and so worth the effort and perseverance we need to get over the hurdles that comes our way? Yea, the molehills and mountains we can't overlook them. You can't forget the old challenges, how you faced and overcame them. They made you stronger, better able to confront the next challenge with some experience. Just think you will be unstoppable when this is all over. You might want to think about running a marathon just for fun!
CD
Hello Heather, Michelle from work. Thanks Michele for posting an update. Sorry to hear about the VOD. Glad to hear your body is fighting. You are in my thoughts and prayers always.
Heather: You are a very strong woman, hang in there girl, I just love your spunk! You have 3 adorable children who are most likely a great reflection of their mom. It sounds like you have a wonderful support team, your friends and family & even strangers like myself are praying for you. I am your friend Jamie's Aunt Lori from Michigan. Let me tell you, she has a very large fmaily & she has rallied the troops - our thoughts are prayers are with you and your family, and will continue to be. Believe in a better tomorrow... it will come.
God Bless!
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