Help Heather Get a Liver Transplant

Updates will be shared here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/heatherclaussen

Thanks for taking time to read our plea for our daughter, Heather Claussen. We're Scott and Jan Quick, Heather's step dad and mom, desperately hoping to raise funds to cover the significant medical expenses associated with the liver transplant that she'll need soon.

 

It's October 18, 2021 and Heather is on her second week of hospitalization at Legacy Health Salmon Creek in Vancouver, Washington. Two weeks ago, she was seen in the ER, throwing up copious amounts of blood. She had a blood transfusion in the ER and was admitted to a step-down unit where she remains today. Since her admission, we've learned that Heather's health status is grave. She is suffering from decompensated liver disease with life threatening complications: Esophageal Varices, Portal Hypertension with Gastropathy and Anasarca (edema throughout her entire body). She also has either Acute Tubular Necrosis or Hepatorenal Syndrome, but the doctors aren't certain which one yet. This means her kidneys aren't working properly. Heather has gained 40 pounds in water weight since being admitted. And yesterday, we were told she now has fluid in her lungs and that her white blood cell count is elevated, meaning she has an infection of some unknown origin.

 

Perhaps the most difficult of all of this is the fact that we can't be with her. We've appealed to the hospital twice now, but COVID restrictions are inflexible. For a mom not to be able to be with her eldest daughter when she is so gravely ill is the most heartbreaking experience in my life.

 

All of this dire news is balanced against the confidence we have in the fighter that is Heather. She grew up playing softball as a starting catcher. She could throw you out at second base or block home plate from a charing baserunner. That fighting spirit extended past school athletics, where she went toe to toe with her male counterparts in the fire fighting academy, training to be an EMT. Today, she has a beautiful niece, Sophie, who she adores. She longs to hold Sophie once again and wants to celebrate birthdays, holidays and all those moments in between with her family.

 

Underpinning our confidence in Heather is our bedrock faith in God Almighty and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We ask that you pray with us: Father show Heather your infinite love and mercy. Lord Jesus touch her with your healing grace. And Holy Spirit, dwell within her heart that she is comforted by knowing she is not alone. Amen.

 

If you're able, we appreciate your donations. If you're willing, we would be grateful to you if you would share this with your friends, family and colleagues.

 

We'll try to keep you updated as much as possible...

 

Scott and Jan.