Adriene's Journey to a Healthy Liver

My name is Samantha Weaver and I am reaching out on behalf of my mother Adriene.

Those who know my mom know her to be a genuinely caring mother of three who has dedicated her life to living in service to others.

Whether it be in her work as an environmental specialist, coach for young women's basketball, or a active member of both the community service and elderly ministry my mom has consistently cultivated an empowering and loving environment.

For all those reasons and more I am asking that you help me be in service to her.

At 24 my mom discovered her liver enzymes were elevated after trying to donate blood to a local blood bank program. Shortly after she saw a specialist and was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis, is an incurable disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the liver cells causing inflammation and liver damage. For the past 30 plus years my mother has experienced an array of symptoms such as jaundice, itching, skin rashes, joint pain, fluid accumulation, and abdominal discomfort.

In the past 4 years her disease has progressed. In 2021 she was additionally diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a rare disease that scars and slowly narrows the bile ducts making it difficult to digest food and causing further damage to the liver.

Later that year she was hospitalized and treated for a bacterial infection in her blood. It was that time her team at UNC determined that she had advanced stage liver disease and should start considering receiving a liver transplant. Since then my mother has been preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally to receive a transplant.

However, 5 weeks ago after experiencing bouts of fatigue, loss of appetite, and high grade fever at home I rushed her into the emergency room where we found she had yet another bacterial infection in her blood. Presently she is in the ICU and will remain there until her health stabilizes.

With the support and prayers from others we have been fortunate to experience progress in the right direction but are still faced with a lot of uncertainty as we navigate her continued care in the ICU and journey to receiving and recovering from a liver transplant.

All donations will go towards covering my mother’s medical care and any unexpected expenses that may accrue during her absence from work.

Thank you so much!