Miranda's Liver Journey
Donation protected
Oct 2014 my doctor informed me I had Auto-immune Hepatitis, so I bought a book on liver disease and felt somewhat at ease because with Autoimmune Hepatitis you can go into remission. Then I started reading about other liver diseases and read about Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). I remember thinking I am grateful I did not have PSC because as I read about the horror of it and the symptoms, it read to pretty much be a death sentence. Little did I know 2 weeks later I would be sitting in a doctor's office who informed me I do indeed have PSC.
The ride home with my husband was mostly silent; I think we were both in shock. When we arrived home and sent the babysitter home, Aliyah was napping and Neil (4 months at the time) was awake. As I held him I broke down uncontrollably sobbing. I remember thinking with all the horrible men of this generation (unfortunately I just met too many) I want to be there to raise one good man, I want to be there for my daughter and teach her independence, strength, compassion, and to always be comfortable in her own skin. Now the only wish I had was to watch my children grow up.
Another huge adjustment for me was accepting that I could no longer do the job I was paid to do. Accepting that I no longer had the strength to "fight though it and fake it." Not only did I have the struggle of losing a job I learned to love, but also leaving a unit who really cared and I adored them so.
The last 5 weeks have been the hardest. I have stayed in a hospital longer than I have been home. I was just informed that I am in bad shape and a liver transplant is needed sooner than later. My doctors have asked me if I have any other living donors besides Chris just incase he is not a match. He wants to have back-up plans in place. He doesn't think I will survive waiting for a deceased donor, so living donor is my only option. I am grateful, in a way, because the one thing this has taught me is to love harder and to appreciate life. I am so motivated to beat this and make the most of my life. After all this mess is done and I am healthy again, I vow to serve others because I know what it is like to fight for your life.
The ride home with my husband was mostly silent; I think we were both in shock. When we arrived home and sent the babysitter home, Aliyah was napping and Neil (4 months at the time) was awake. As I held him I broke down uncontrollably sobbing. I remember thinking with all the horrible men of this generation (unfortunately I just met too many) I want to be there to raise one good man, I want to be there for my daughter and teach her independence, strength, compassion, and to always be comfortable in her own skin. Now the only wish I had was to watch my children grow up.
Another huge adjustment for me was accepting that I could no longer do the job I was paid to do. Accepting that I no longer had the strength to "fight though it and fake it." Not only did I have the struggle of losing a job I learned to love, but also leaving a unit who really cared and I adored them so.
The last 5 weeks have been the hardest. I have stayed in a hospital longer than I have been home. I was just informed that I am in bad shape and a liver transplant is needed sooner than later. My doctors have asked me if I have any other living donors besides Chris just incase he is not a match. He wants to have back-up plans in place. He doesn't think I will survive waiting for a deceased donor, so living donor is my only option. I am grateful, in a way, because the one thing this has taught me is to love harder and to appreciate life. I am so motivated to beat this and make the most of my life. After all this mess is done and I am healthy again, I vow to serve others because I know what it is like to fight for your life.
Organizer
Miranda Schildkamp
Organizer
Tucson, AZ
