Support Shannon's Liver Transplant

Hi, my name is Jacquie Chatwell, and I am fundraising for my daughter, Shannon Flett. I would like to tell everyone about my amazing daughter. This is her story:

Shannon is 53 years old. She has been married to her loving husband Rob for 35 years and they have a daughter who is 25 years old. Shannon was a legal assistant for 25 years but had to leave due to ongoing medical issues.

Shannon is a very caring and loving person. Shannon is hilarious and likes to make people laugh. Shannon always greets you with a smile and a hug.

Shannon has been through a lot in the past 20 years. She battled cancer 3 times. 2004 stage 3 colon cancer surgery and 6 months of chemotherapy, 2012 stage 3 uteran cancer had full hysterectomy, 2016 aggressive skin cancer in which she had surgery to remove the tumor.

About 2 years ago Shannon became sick. Her hands started to tremble, she had mobility issues and fell down a lot which resulted in her needing a cane and a walker. She couldn't eat and lost a lot of weight. She was down to 90lbs. Her memory was not good and her speech was affected. She had a lot of pain in her stomach and slept most of the day.

Last Spring she became very sick. She started throwing up blood, was having stomach pain, and was losing her mobility. Shannon went to Seven Oaks Energency many times with little to no answers. Each time she went she was given blood transfusions and sent home. The doctors could not figure out what was causing these symptoms.

Her family doctor referred her to a liver specialist at Health Science Centre. We were shocked to hear she had a diseased liver. All the symptoms she was having; trembling hands, loss of memory, falling down, decreased appetite, difficulty eating, fluid in her stomach (which caused immense pain) was because her liver was not functioning. She will need a liver transplant in the very near future.

Last December she became very ill. She was rushed by ambulance to Grace Hosptal after she started to become incoherent. Once there, her lungs filled up with fluid from her stomach and went into respitory failure. The doctor and nurses were able to bring her back to life. She was in ICU for 2 weeks and then moved into a room for 6 days. She had to learn how to walk and talk again. She was released from the hospital just before Christmas. She was put onto a very expensive medication to help her liver function for the time being. It is not a fix or a cure just to help her feel better. The cost is not covered by Pharmacare.

Shannon's husband stayed home with her the whole month of December. She needed support with all her daily living. She was going to medical appointments, tests and blood work on a ongoing basis.

Rob is Shannon's rock and lifeline. She couldn't do any of this without his love and support. Rob is the sole income for the family. He has to shoulder everything himself. They are financialy struggling and need help.

In January she was referred to the Transplant Clinic at HSC. Her liver specialist and Clinic put her through a multitude of tests and blood work. The results were sent to Toronto Hospital where the transplants are done.

Shannon and Rob are flying to Toronto for 3 days to meet with the surgeon and team to find out more about the surgery. It will be decided if she is eligible to go on the waiting list. The list is over 2 years or more. If she finds a donor match she could have the surgery within about 6 months of finding a donor. If she has to go on the waiting list she will get sicker and the outcome could be end of life for her. The flight they have to pay for but then get reimbursed by Manitoba Health does not pay for hotel accommodations, meals and transportation while there. The trip is very costly. They will be using their savings for this trip.

Once she finds a liver match, her and her husband will be flying to Toronto. She will be in the hospital for about 2 1/2 weeks. The flight they pay for and then get reimbursed. Rob's hotel accommodation, meals and transportation are not covered by Manitoba Health. Once the surgery is done, she will be on rejection medication which is very costly; $2,000/mth for the rest of her life. The medications over exceeds the Pharmacare deductible.

Their Pharmacare deductible is $4,000 for the year. The one drug is $600/mth and the rejection medication is $2,000/mth. The medications over exceeds the Pharmacare deductible. The money raised will help pay for Rob's stay in Toronto and help pay for medications.

Shannon is a very brave and courageous woman. She meets everything head on with strength and positivity. She knows she is in for the hardest battle of her life. She says "I have no choice mom I want to live". She is the strongest woman I know. I am so very proud of her and do all that I can to help her through this. Shannon has hopes, dreams and plans for the future with her husband and daughter.

Our family is extremely greatful to everyone who takes the time to read Shannon's story. Any amount big or small is humbly appreciated.

We are desperate in finding a donor match soon that could save her life.

If you would like to get tested or someone you know:

1. Go to your doctor and get your blood tested for a match.

2. Call the Liver Donor Transplant Program in Toronto.

Please share this with everyone you know.

God Bless