Sweeney sisters need help for mom Rosey

What a year so far for my family and its only June. Where to begin. Those of you that know my mom know how strong and vibrant she always was. About three years ago she began with symptoms after helping me paint my kitchen and she was on a ladder and jumped off and hurt her foot. At that time her foot began to swell and got infected over the next few months it got worse and turned into staff infection. Once we had figured it out she started to get better at least we thought she was. As time went on her breathing began to weaken and she began telling us how just walking across the room was hard for her. Now remember my mother never smoked so it just didn't make since. She went to her doctor and was diagnosed with Crest Syndrome an autoimmune disease also known as Limited scleroderma, or CREST syndrome, is one subtype of scleroderma "” a condition that literally means "hardened skin." . So as she was being treated for this disease her breathing became worse and so she was referred to a specialist. Well let me tell you what a mistake all he did was give her more drugs and made her feel like she was unimportant. So she only got worse. Last Christmas I watched my mom just lay there like a baby and couldn't move. We knew she needed help and we felt helpless. She continued to get worse and finally this March we found our help. We found a physician at St Lukes and I thank God everyday for finding him. He ordered a bunch of tests and as we leave the office I get a call and his nurse told me to bring my mom back her tests showed she has fluid around her heart and it isn't good. My heart stopped and before we know it she was admitted and a new diagnoses of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a progressive disorder characterized by abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) in the pulmonary artery, the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs. Hypertension occurs when most of the very small arteries throughout the lungs narrow in diameter, which increases the resistance to blood flow through the lungs. To overcome the increased resistance, pressure increases in the pulmonary artery and in the heart chamber that pumps blood into the pulmonary artery (the right ventricle). Signs and symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension occur when increased pressure cannot fully overcome the elevated resistance and blood flow to the body is insufficient. Shortness of breath (dyspnea) during exertion and fainting spells are the most common symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension. People with this disorder may experience additional symptoms, particularly as the condition worsens. Other symptoms include dizziness, swelling (edema) of the ankles or legs, chest pain, and a racing pulse. She was going into heart failure and we had to do something to help and fast. She wasn't strong enough to put under for a long period of time so they decided to give her a port and a new medicine which will be on a 24 hour iv drip that we administer to her everyday. This is a temporary because she is in need of a double lung transplant. What a shocker her whole life has turned around in a short period of time. Bad news strikes again Barnes St Louis will not take her because of her condition so now we have to go to The Cleveland Clinic. Her insurance will not cover the whole procedure, transportation or room and board, she will have to live in Cleveland, Ohio for about 6 months after she has had her transplant for observation, her doctor visits and therapy/rehab. We will be doing fundraisers hopefully soon. My stepdad is a laborer and doesn't get paid when he is off so financially it is going to be a struggle. Please pray for our mom.
She is scheduled for her Transplant Evaluation in Ohio in August, once the evaluation is completed she will then be put on the Transplant list for her Double Lung Transplant. A Fundraiser/Silent Auction is now set up for her. We will keep you posted on this site with any updates.Thank you all for all your love, prayers and support. It means the world to us.
Jill and Kelly