Update and A Big Thanks!

Michelle had clinic today. Things are going pretty good. Her rejection score has improved quite a bit since her last visit, so this is fantastic. The struggles at this point are still related to Small For Size Syndrome, and splenic pain. It is uncertain if her spleen will ever recover. Only time will tell. As for her last banding session, no esophageal varices were found at that time. Yea!

A huge thank you is due to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Maple Ridge Aerie #2831. This group took Michelle's family on as one of their charities this past fiscal year, and the Way's were recently honored with a cheque for nearly $1200!!! Awesome! Thank You!

tracey

HUMPTY DUMPTY'S BACK TOGETHER AGAIN!

I just wanted to drop in and say hello and thank you for seeing Miss M and me through this life saving and life altering process. The enormous support, interest and amount of love and prayers has amazed and humbled us both.

I saw Miss M this week-end and we compared our matching owies and celebrated the return of mobility and semblance of strength.

We want to write our stories in more detail but they are still unfolding. We are still mopping the sweat from our brows as we recover and climb this giant mountain with regular life at the apex. For now we both hope our loved ones will understand our relative silence and the box of unwritten thank you cards we both carry around with us. They will be sent, we are eternally grateful and could not have survived without you.

I have been enjoying a 3 week break from the transplant clinic which has given me a chance to feel, heal and spend time with my Tot and family. It has taken awhile for the trauma of seeing things a 2 year old should never have to see to soothe and fade. The Tot can mostly sleep through the night without crying for me, looking to make sure I haven't gone back "to the doctor's house". I can't offer any promises but only to reassure that I AM HERE! We've had so many joyful moments. The haircut with the giggles, the morning whisper chats, photo shoots, bike rides, wheelchair races and many many others. I am so happy to be here, be alive and so thankful to you, my family and, of course, the warrior that made it possible.... my dear friend, Miss M. xoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo Much love.

Varices

Michelle is going for banding today. Just when she thought that part of her life was over. During an abdominal ultrasound they found some varices on her new liver. This could be related to the suspected small for size syndrome. Hopefully they will not find any varices in her esophagus today. She could definitely use some prayers!

tracey

Thursday Clinic

Michelle got her drain out today! Her bloodwork continues to look good. Here's hoping the new medication will help drain off some of that extra fluid. Her new liver showed growth on ultrasound! They are still concerned about small for size syndrome, but not panicking at this time. She is home and recovering from the trauma of the drain. Such a warrior!

trace

The Little Liver That Could

From great to mini crisis. I guess this is the life of a newly transplanted patient. Michelle got to come home yesterday. She has a drain insitu to help reduce the accumulating fluid in her abdomen. The team is not quite sure what is causing the problem or what they will do about it yet. They are running a bunch of tests, and Michelle is to go into clinic tomorrow and hopefully they will have a plan of attack. Her blood counts continue to look good, thus the liver is doing what it needs to from that aspect. It may be that there is just a heavy load for this little liver, and that over time things will catch up. Hopefully providing a release of the excess fluids will relieve some of the stress. The fluid, and now the placement of the drain are causing Michelle considerable pain. I know everyone is keeping her in their thoughts and prayers, thank you!

tracey

Bump In the Road

Michelle has had some painful distension of her adbomen. It got increasingly bigger and more painful, and of course the team is concerned. Today she is at VGH. She underwent an ultrasound, and they have now put in a drain. Jarvie says they are going to test the fluid. Likely to see where it is coming from and whether there is any infection. Michelle may have to be readmitted to the hospital today. Please pray this is not the case, and that whatever is causing the fluid and pain is easy to repair. Tater tot has struggled with his mama's recent hospitalization, and Michelle worries greatly about how he would handle a readmission. Please pray for a terrific outcome!

tracey

No News Is Good News

Michelle is doing great! Originally they wanted to see her in clinic twice a week for awhile, but after today's appt they have decided to stretch her to once every two weeks! Do not be mistaken, she is still dealing with intense surgical pain, and has to be gentle on her stomach in terms of nutrition, and get a ton of rest. The team is impressed with her progress, but have said she is not out of the woods yet.

Thank you for your continued prayers, I know Michelle feels them. If anything new comes up I'll try to keep everyone informed.

tracey