Paola's Medical Funds
Donation protected
Hi, I’m Paola. At the age of 6 years-old, every child is enjoying their childhood years in kindergarten, playing with friends, going to the park, museums, playing with chalk on the sidewalk, doing all these exciting things. As for me, kindergarten was fun from what I remember, but once January of 2001 hit, everything changed completely. My life wasn’t what I or my family expected or planned for. It all began with constant diarrhea and jaundice, which my eyes and skin would become yellow. My mom didn’t know what exactly was going on at the time. She took me to many doctor visits, where I got tests done for two weeks, had countless lab work or known as blood drawn to see what was happening with me. Doctors believed I had hepatitis, but after having a liver biopsy, it was clear to them. I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis. Autoimmune Hepatitis is a non-contagious disease. In a more simple meaning, it’s where my own immune system rejects or attacks my liver when there is inflammation in the liver. It is a chronic, or long lasting disease. If not treated with immunosuppressives, such as steroids, Imuranor other medications, the liver begins to fail. Within time, cirrhosis builds up in the liver when there is scar tissue replacing the healthy liver tissue. When that happens, the scar tissue blocked the normal blood flow in the liver. After being diagnosed with autoimmune, doctors began to give me treatment starting with steroids and Imuran. I had to be seen by a hepatologist, gastroenterologist, and many more doctors just for my liver. It was constant doctor visits, and biopsies when I would have a liver flare up. All of these things that no child should be going through. Every child should be able to live a life where it is cancer-free, liver disease-free, and every other life threatening disease free. As I go back and remember all the hospitalizations, it wasn’t how I wanted to spend my childhood. The hospital I used to attend for my liver treatment and doctor visits was at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital. There, that’s where they discovered my illness. After a year of being there, I was transferred to Children’s Memorial Hospital where I met amazing doctors, and nurses too. There where I met Dr. Estella M. Alonso, who is a medical director, (part of the liver transplant program), and the one person who took care of me and my liver for 13 years. Without her, I don’t know if I was able to make it this far without the medications and treatments. Children’s Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park is now closed permanently. The new location and name of the hospital is Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago located in downtown of Chicago. I continued to see Dr. Alonso and get the same medication and treatments. Little by little, I became more ill. In December of 2014, I began to vomit blood. My mother has taken me to Lurie’s, from there they transitioned me to Northwestern Medicine, which was right next door of Lurie’s hospital. That’s reason they moved me over to Northwestern, because I had turned 19 years-old. In my mind I wasn’t ready to move to a different doctor and meet new specialist and nurses. When I was transferred to Northwestern, I was having so many doctor’s appointments, lab work done, MRI, ultrasounds just to make sure my liver was okay. The doctor’s from Northwestern did all those test so I can be on the liver transplant list. To me, it was a miracle to
have this happening, but also a scary matter because surgery would take up to 8 to 12 hours. My mother and little sister were so excited because I was getting a second chance in life, but never expected it to happen too soon. By the third week of February, I had the last episode of vomiting blood. This time, it was worse because I couldn’t stop throwing all the blood. My mom rushed me to the emergency room at Northwestern that same night. The cause of me vomiting blood was that one of the gastric varices had burst in my stomach. Also, blood wasn’t flowing through my liver since my liver had become so stiff. The following morning, doctors and surgeons did a procedure called TIPS. Interventional radiologist also put a catheter in one of the veins that leads to my liver to have blood flow again. After the procedures, I was in the recovery room. Everything seemed fine, until I began to act weird and I wasn’t myself anymore. The last thing I remember was being transported up to my room in the hospital, then I blacked out. I had fell into a coma, from what my mom and doctors has told me. The reason I was in a coma, the blood flowed quickly to my body, but we humans have toxins in our bodies and one of them is ammonia. The blood wasn’t fully processed through my liver and the ammonia went straight to my brain. I was in a coma for 4 days. My mom was worried that I wouldn’t be able to wake up anymore. Surprisingly I did. When I woke up, everything was a blur to me. I didn’t know what happened or where I was. My mom had told me what exactly happened. I was in shock that I was in a coma and didn’t wake up. I was looking around to see where I was. I was hooked up to many monitors, IV fluids, and to seeing pints of blood. The average adult human has 10 pints of blood, and I had lost 6 pints of blood. It was disturbing to see the blood go into the IV and into my body. After the incident that happened, I was in the hospital for a week or so. I was released on a Saturday afternoon, and I was heading home. Before I left, the doctors told me that I was in need of a liver transplant, badly because they didn’t know how long until I have an episode of the vomiting blood will happen again. Everything was so stressful and heart breaking. I remember that night, I didn’t want to go through this anymore. I cried so much that Saturday night at home, praying to God to help me get a new liver and to help me get through all of the pain I was going through. It’s not easy for me or anyone who goes through these things. I tried to stay strong, because my mother has taught me to never give up on life. I fell asleep crying that night. Around 3:30-4:00 AM my phone was ringing. I didn’t recognized the number, so I ignored it and continued to sleep. My mom came in the room and woke me up calmly with excitement. My mom said,“ Pao they just called me from the hospital, and they have a liver for you and they want us to be at the hospital before 7am to get you ready for surgery”. I smiled so big and cried because God heard me and got me a liver within a couple of hours. I went back to sleep, but it was hard to get some shut eye since I was so happy about the news for a liver transplant. It was about 6am, I got up and got ready and we drove to Northwestern. The only people who were with me was my mom, my little sister and I. Once we arrived, the nurses got me ready for the surgery. The surgeon came in and made me sign some forms for the surgery and afterwards, they took me down to OR. I was so nervous and scared but
I know things will be okay with my families support and God being right by me. Once I got into the OR, they connected me to IVs, and other medications. I remember the operating table being cold, and the room freezing cold. The nurses were comforting me, playing with my hair, rubbing my hands, and the anesthetic doctor came by me, and put the mask around my mouth and nose. He told me to take deep breathes in, and in matter of seconds, I was fully asleep. On March 8, 2015, I received my liver transplant. It took 11 hours for the whole liver transplant and it was a success. I woke up a day later, sore and so sleepy. Doctors were happy with results of the surgery. I spent a whole week in the hospital for recovery and they sent me to a hotel down the street because they wanted to make sure I was okay before going home. I spent 2 weeks at the hotel. After, the doctors said it was okay to go home. I was excited to be home andget some rest. I had to recover slowly and not do the things I used to do, such as go out as much and to make sure I wasn’t by anyone sick because I could get sick. I couldn’t lift anything, move aroundor jump. I was on strict rules, but I felt so good and alive a month after the transplant. I never felt so happy, relaxed, and full of energy in my life. I felt like a new a person!!!! Once summertime arrived, everything went downhill. By June, my liver began to rejected my body. Doctors didn’t know what was going on. One doctor in specific, Dr. Daniel R. Ganger, took care of me and did all he can to figure out what was going on. All summer I was hospitalized. I didn’t have the chance to be at home with the rest of my family. Dr. Ganger would always come by and check up on me at least twice a day, making sure I was okay. Around August of 2015, some doctors including Dr. Ganger said my autoimmune came back and my liver wasn’t being accepted by my body once again. Hearing thismade me sad but also upset, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I felt as if I would never get better. The doctors would change my doses of medication to keep the liver stable. Back and forth, in and out of the hospital last year. It was very frustrating. In October, the doctors realized that one of the hepatic veins that helps the blood flow in my liver was narrow and getting small. If nothing was done soon, it will close on me. It was causing me to accumulate fluid in my stomach. It was very painful when my stomach will stretch out so big. It looked as if I was 8 months pregnant. By mid, October, they did a procedure where they put a metal stent in the vein to open it wider. It was a successful procedure. Being in and out of the hospital, getting so many tests, blood drawn, biopsies of the liver, it was clear that cirrhosis has grew again on the new liver. My liver was becoming stiff again. By November, the doctors told me I was in need of a new liver. During that time, they tried other medications that is used for chemotherapy. Unfortunately, it didn’t help. In my mind, I didn’t want to go through all that process again. I knew if I didn’t get a new liver, it will be more difficult later. My mom, who has always been there by my side, from the very start of my illness,was in tears. Before I go on, I would love to give all the credit to my mom, Vanessa Salinas who brought me and my sister to this world, always made sure we had everything. For being a single mother and not being able to work, due to the fact that she had to take care of me since the age of 6, she has done it all. She has made sacrifices just to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes to keep us warm. My mother and I lived experience a difficult moment in our lives with domestic violence from my father. My childhood wasn’t easy but we manage to go through these obstacles together. My parents divorced when I was 8 years-old, right after the birth of my little sister. After my parents divorce, my relationship with my father had deteriorated, due to my health issues. My father decided not to take such burden and responsibility. Couple of years later, visitation between my father and I, had stopped. My mom has been my rock from the start. She has always asked questions to the doctors, made sure I was taking my medication, checking up on me if I was okay or if I needed anything. Everything my mom has done for me, I truly appreciate it. I really appreciate her more than anyone else on this planet. She has shown me and my sister so much love and affection. Without her support, help, and love, I don’t know where I be or how to manage everything. In December, I had to see the doctors again, and they told me they weren’t able to do the second transplant because they believed it was for medical reasons that it was affecting my liver transplant. I cried that day along with my mom and sister. It was so upsetting to everyone. The doctor also mentioned that if I don’t receive a new liver soon, I would only have 6 months or less to live. Everything that was being discussed on my liver, sadden me more and more. I couldn’t believe what I heard. I felt as if my life was completely over. My mom and I had a family meeting and decided to get a second opinion. Loyola was able to help us. As of right now, days are being counted, I’m trying my best to get this second transplant. Everything has been so difficult for us, with emotions and I’m just tired physically. These coming days have been taken a toll on us financially. I will do my best to cherish every day. Thank You God for helping me out and I believe you’re right there with me. I’m not a quitter and I will continue my journey through these difficult moments. Thank You Everyone…………...
4- Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, Yet we considered him punished by God, Stricken by him, and afflicted.
5- But he was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;The punishment that brought us peace was on him, And by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4-5
The amount of the donation you decide to give is no problem to me or my family. I'm beyond happy with anything and for the big help with what I'm going through!
have this happening, but also a scary matter because surgery would take up to 8 to 12 hours. My mother and little sister were so excited because I was getting a second chance in life, but never expected it to happen too soon. By the third week of February, I had the last episode of vomiting blood. This time, it was worse because I couldn’t stop throwing all the blood. My mom rushed me to the emergency room at Northwestern that same night. The cause of me vomiting blood was that one of the gastric varices had burst in my stomach. Also, blood wasn’t flowing through my liver since my liver had become so stiff. The following morning, doctors and surgeons did a procedure called TIPS. Interventional radiologist also put a catheter in one of the veins that leads to my liver to have blood flow again. After the procedures, I was in the recovery room. Everything seemed fine, until I began to act weird and I wasn’t myself anymore. The last thing I remember was being transported up to my room in the hospital, then I blacked out. I had fell into a coma, from what my mom and doctors has told me. The reason I was in a coma, the blood flowed quickly to my body, but we humans have toxins in our bodies and one of them is ammonia. The blood wasn’t fully processed through my liver and the ammonia went straight to my brain. I was in a coma for 4 days. My mom was worried that I wouldn’t be able to wake up anymore. Surprisingly I did. When I woke up, everything was a blur to me. I didn’t know what happened or where I was. My mom had told me what exactly happened. I was in shock that I was in a coma and didn’t wake up. I was looking around to see where I was. I was hooked up to many monitors, IV fluids, and to seeing pints of blood. The average adult human has 10 pints of blood, and I had lost 6 pints of blood. It was disturbing to see the blood go into the IV and into my body. After the incident that happened, I was in the hospital for a week or so. I was released on a Saturday afternoon, and I was heading home. Before I left, the doctors told me that I was in need of a liver transplant, badly because they didn’t know how long until I have an episode of the vomiting blood will happen again. Everything was so stressful and heart breaking. I remember that night, I didn’t want to go through this anymore. I cried so much that Saturday night at home, praying to God to help me get a new liver and to help me get through all of the pain I was going through. It’s not easy for me or anyone who goes through these things. I tried to stay strong, because my mother has taught me to never give up on life. I fell asleep crying that night. Around 3:30-4:00 AM my phone was ringing. I didn’t recognized the number, so I ignored it and continued to sleep. My mom came in the room and woke me up calmly with excitement. My mom said,“ Pao they just called me from the hospital, and they have a liver for you and they want us to be at the hospital before 7am to get you ready for surgery”. I smiled so big and cried because God heard me and got me a liver within a couple of hours. I went back to sleep, but it was hard to get some shut eye since I was so happy about the news for a liver transplant. It was about 6am, I got up and got ready and we drove to Northwestern. The only people who were with me was my mom, my little sister and I. Once we arrived, the nurses got me ready for the surgery. The surgeon came in and made me sign some forms for the surgery and afterwards, they took me down to OR. I was so nervous and scared but
I know things will be okay with my families support and God being right by me. Once I got into the OR, they connected me to IVs, and other medications. I remember the operating table being cold, and the room freezing cold. The nurses were comforting me, playing with my hair, rubbing my hands, and the anesthetic doctor came by me, and put the mask around my mouth and nose. He told me to take deep breathes in, and in matter of seconds, I was fully asleep. On March 8, 2015, I received my liver transplant. It took 11 hours for the whole liver transplant and it was a success. I woke up a day later, sore and so sleepy. Doctors were happy with results of the surgery. I spent a whole week in the hospital for recovery and they sent me to a hotel down the street because they wanted to make sure I was okay before going home. I spent 2 weeks at the hotel. After, the doctors said it was okay to go home. I was excited to be home andget some rest. I had to recover slowly and not do the things I used to do, such as go out as much and to make sure I wasn’t by anyone sick because I could get sick. I couldn’t lift anything, move aroundor jump. I was on strict rules, but I felt so good and alive a month after the transplant. I never felt so happy, relaxed, and full of energy in my life. I felt like a new a person!!!! Once summertime arrived, everything went downhill. By June, my liver began to rejected my body. Doctors didn’t know what was going on. One doctor in specific, Dr. Daniel R. Ganger, took care of me and did all he can to figure out what was going on. All summer I was hospitalized. I didn’t have the chance to be at home with the rest of my family. Dr. Ganger would always come by and check up on me at least twice a day, making sure I was okay. Around August of 2015, some doctors including Dr. Ganger said my autoimmune came back and my liver wasn’t being accepted by my body once again. Hearing thismade me sad but also upset, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I felt as if I would never get better. The doctors would change my doses of medication to keep the liver stable. Back and forth, in and out of the hospital last year. It was very frustrating. In October, the doctors realized that one of the hepatic veins that helps the blood flow in my liver was narrow and getting small. If nothing was done soon, it will close on me. It was causing me to accumulate fluid in my stomach. It was very painful when my stomach will stretch out so big. It looked as if I was 8 months pregnant. By mid, October, they did a procedure where they put a metal stent in the vein to open it wider. It was a successful procedure. Being in and out of the hospital, getting so many tests, blood drawn, biopsies of the liver, it was clear that cirrhosis has grew again on the new liver. My liver was becoming stiff again. By November, the doctors told me I was in need of a new liver. During that time, they tried other medications that is used for chemotherapy. Unfortunately, it didn’t help. In my mind, I didn’t want to go through all that process again. I knew if I didn’t get a new liver, it will be more difficult later. My mom, who has always been there by my side, from the very start of my illness,was in tears. Before I go on, I would love to give all the credit to my mom, Vanessa Salinas who brought me and my sister to this world, always made sure we had everything. For being a single mother and not being able to work, due to the fact that she had to take care of me since the age of 6, she has done it all. She has made sacrifices just to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table, clothes to keep us warm. My mother and I lived experience a difficult moment in our lives with domestic violence from my father. My childhood wasn’t easy but we manage to go through these obstacles together. My parents divorced when I was 8 years-old, right after the birth of my little sister. After my parents divorce, my relationship with my father had deteriorated, due to my health issues. My father decided not to take such burden and responsibility. Couple of years later, visitation between my father and I, had stopped. My mom has been my rock from the start. She has always asked questions to the doctors, made sure I was taking my medication, checking up on me if I was okay or if I needed anything. Everything my mom has done for me, I truly appreciate it. I really appreciate her more than anyone else on this planet. She has shown me and my sister so much love and affection. Without her support, help, and love, I don’t know where I be or how to manage everything. In December, I had to see the doctors again, and they told me they weren’t able to do the second transplant because they believed it was for medical reasons that it was affecting my liver transplant. I cried that day along with my mom and sister. It was so upsetting to everyone. The doctor also mentioned that if I don’t receive a new liver soon, I would only have 6 months or less to live. Everything that was being discussed on my liver, sadden me more and more. I couldn’t believe what I heard. I felt as if my life was completely over. My mom and I had a family meeting and decided to get a second opinion. Loyola was able to help us. As of right now, days are being counted, I’m trying my best to get this second transplant. Everything has been so difficult for us, with emotions and I’m just tired physically. These coming days have been taken a toll on us financially. I will do my best to cherish every day. Thank You God for helping me out and I believe you’re right there with me. I’m not a quitter and I will continue my journey through these difficult moments. Thank You Everyone…………...
4- Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, Yet we considered him punished by God, Stricken by him, and afflicted.
5- But he was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;The punishment that brought us peace was on him, And by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4-5
The amount of the donation you decide to give is no problem to me or my family. I'm beyond happy with anything and for the big help with what I'm going through!
Organizer and beneficiary
Vanessa Salinas
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Vanessa Salinas
Beneficiary
