Karen & her new Liver

Have you ever watched someone's spirit slowly drain from them?

It's been over 2 years since Karen and Dave were told she'd need surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to eradicate the cancer from her bile duct and surrounding areas.

August 28, 2021 - Karen is still in ICU with her new Liver she received Aug 17th. A scary return to surgery the next day and other precarious days have been exhausting and depleting on Karen and Dave.

As of today she has pain and mostly sleeps. Her numbers are looking good but her left leg is very swollen, Dave says the doctors don't yet know why. Communication about Karen's prognosis is scarce. Her oncologist was on holidays when the surgery was performed and they just spoke yesterday.

If you know Dave and Karen you know their love runs deep and they feel each other's pain. The liver transplant and healing has been brutal on both their bodies and psyches. 70% of couples don't make it through Cancer and all its complications....but Dave and Karen aren't just ANY couple.

These high school sweethearts became Grandparents last month! What a gift after so much hardship for 2 years in which time they buried Karen's cousin (and the sad circumstances surrounding his passing), and they lost Karen's beloved Ozzy. This big-boy-cat-angel protected and loved-on Karen every day she was at home.

2 years ago the doctor's told them:

"We believe we've removed all the cancer but you'll need chemotherapy and radiation to ensure none remains."

What they didn't tell them was:

"Your type of bile duct cancer is very rare, and even more so given your age. After the chemotherapy we will do brachytherapy radiation but it MIGHT destroy your liver and remaining portion of your bile duct beyond repair, requiring a liver transplant in the near future."

It's been 2 years of hospital stays and visits, almost constant antibiotics mostly through IV including at home, losing 70 pounds at Karen's worst point and a feeding tube at home for the last 3 months before her surgery 11 days ago.

Their living room looks like a pharmacy complete with the IV stand and liquid nutrient bags, antibiotics, pain killers, anti-nausea medication and bandages they would change every 2 days for the last 2 years! She's always had a drain tube and bag to help her bile duct do what it can't; drain fluid and toxins from her liver. In the last 6 months the fluid was entering her abdomen and causing her to look 9 months pregnant every 2 weeks which translated to a trip to CHUM in Montreal to drain it.

Karen's loss of income and now with Dave's reduced working hours due to frequent visits to CHUM in Montreal, they are under extreme financial hardship.  I know many of you have supported Karen and Dave already and they're so sincerely grateful, please don't feel obligated to help them out again.  Share this go fund me link if you're able.

Sincere gratitude,

Tina