Support my Mom’s life-saving Transplant Fund
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Please help support a chance at a life-saving liver transplant for my hero, my Mom.
Any day each of us could face the unexpected with our health – this could be cancer or any disease that is not “curable.” How do we make it through once we are diagnosed? Well, in this case you will hear about my mom and her journey with an autoimmune liver disease, the challenges, and the necessary lifestyle changes that are needed. Loss of income is a major setback for any family. Thus, expenses can and likely will outweigh income.
The most important thing to hold onto is hope because although the disease requires a liver transplant, it has a very positive outcome statistically! This means that monies raised and used for such a condition are well spent since most patients return to a normal state of health and can return to work. This is our prayer & hope for my mom.
For more information on this patient’s journey (my mom) and how you can help, please continue reading………….
My Mom graduated in December of last year after two years of intense study and demanding clinical work to attain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. She planned on returning to the nursing field and focus on whatever aspect of nursing she feels the Lord leads her to. One of those possibilities is to work with patients related to their mental health and motivation for change so that they can be all they should be physically. Her expertise in mental health (10 years as licensed mental health counselor) and her BSN degree will help spur on this possibility. But unfortunately, all of that is on hold, because her world (and ours) was turned upside down.
Not long after graduation, she returned to her liver disease specialist and received word that her latest lab work and symptoms she was having pointed to a definite diagnosis of End Stage Liver Disease (ESLD). In her case, this stems from an autoimmune disorder called Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). Although she was diagnosed with this about 30 years ago, the milder stages of the disease did not interfere with everyday life. Unfortunately, in stage four the opposite is true.
Since the first of the year, there have been many ups and downs, an emergency visit to the hospital (which ended up with many days in the ICU), many tests that have been run and countless sleepless nights. It is difficult for her to get rest due to incessant itching (pruritus), swelling of the abdomen from fluid buildup (ascites), and more days than not of fatigue. Calories are burned at a tremendous rate – more than average – caused by the liver working to compensate and get vital nutrients to the body. Because of this, weight loss is anticipated and has occurred as well. She has lost quite a bit and has also developed chronic anemia.
(Anyone who knows my mom, knows that although she is tiny, she LOVES her food! She was most happy to eat a day after she regained consciousness and left the ICU)
Liver transplant is needed to save her life and I know she welcomes the chance for that. The Mason Clinic with Piedmont Hospital specializes in transplants. She joined this and is almost at the completion of the many demanding tests required to qualify as a recipient. We had no idea how much this would involve, but it is a long process. Once all tests, etc. are complete, she will need to wait additional time until she receives a “score” – called the MELD score – that combines four different lab results to obtain a total. This total is how liver disease patients are rated in order of need for transplant. Other important lab tests are to monitor labs that represent kidney function and bleeding time, as the liver causes changes in these areas, as does some of the side effects of medications. We are glad that her tests have turned out great so far – cardiac tests, colonoscopy, mammography, and others, but the suffering continues for her daily and will until the transplant is complete.
Another requirement of being accepted to the Transplant Program is attending support group and educational sessions. At these sessions, patients that have already undergone a transplant discuss new topics weekly, offering those patients still waiting the opportunity to learn more and gain support. It is difficult to give an exact monetary amount needed; however, most of us understand through education that it can be as high as $60,000.00 in out-of-pocket expenses. My parents were told that she could be on as many as twenty prescriptions immediately after her surgery and that some of the most important anti-Rejection drugs that protect the liver can cost from $800.00 up to $8000.00 monthly. For example, one prescription that is needed currently had an out-of-pocket expense of $600.00 a month.
(My Dad, Brother & Mom at a support group meeting)
(My big brother Paul has stepped in as my Mom’s medical care organizer. It’s a full time job keeping up with appointments/requirements)
A bit about my parents:
My Dad has owned and operated a small business for the past 35+ years and my mom has worked my entire life, but they are far from wealthy. They are a hard-working, Christian couple who just celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary this past Valentine’s Day.
(Mom & Dad a few years ago)
They met when my Dad was serving in The United States Marines.
Having been through so much in the past, my mom was learning to be cautious with anyone claiming to love her so soon – which is exactly what my dad did. He told her he loved her only two days after meeting her and she laughed at his “nonsense.” She wanted proof. He persisted, stating that he would protect her heart. Eventually, she realized his love was true. They married in a tiny chapel at the Camp Geiger United States Marine base in North Carolina.
I wish I had permission to share my Mom’s entire life story, it’s like something out of a movie and not in a good way. But my Mom is very private and even the thought of sharing this was a lot for her. I can tell you this, she is a fighter. Her early years were extremely challenging, to say the least. Every time she’s been knocked down, she gets back and up and keeps reaching for MAJOR goals. We would love nothing more than to see her receive a transplant, recover and live out a long life with us. I can see her working in the nursing field for 20 more years!
(Our family ♥️)
Any day each of us could face the unexpected with our health – this could be cancer or any disease that is not “curable.” How do we make it through once we are diagnosed? Well, in this case you will hear about my mom and her journey with an autoimmune liver disease, the challenges, and the necessary lifestyle changes that are needed. Loss of income is a major setback for any family. Thus, expenses can and likely will outweigh income.
The most important thing to hold onto is hope because although the disease requires a liver transplant, it has a very positive outcome statistically! This means that monies raised and used for such a condition are well spent since most patients return to a normal state of health and can return to work. This is our prayer & hope for my mom.
For more information on this patient’s journey (my mom) and how you can help, please continue reading………….
My Mom graduated in December of last year after two years of intense study and demanding clinical work to attain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. She planned on returning to the nursing field and focus on whatever aspect of nursing she feels the Lord leads her to. One of those possibilities is to work with patients related to their mental health and motivation for change so that they can be all they should be physically. Her expertise in mental health (10 years as licensed mental health counselor) and her BSN degree will help spur on this possibility. But unfortunately, all of that is on hold, because her world (and ours) was turned upside down.
Not long after graduation, she returned to her liver disease specialist and received word that her latest lab work and symptoms she was having pointed to a definite diagnosis of End Stage Liver Disease (ESLD). In her case, this stems from an autoimmune disorder called Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). Although she was diagnosed with this about 30 years ago, the milder stages of the disease did not interfere with everyday life. Unfortunately, in stage four the opposite is true.
Since the first of the year, there have been many ups and downs, an emergency visit to the hospital (which ended up with many days in the ICU), many tests that have been run and countless sleepless nights. It is difficult for her to get rest due to incessant itching (pruritus), swelling of the abdomen from fluid buildup (ascites), and more days than not of fatigue. Calories are burned at a tremendous rate – more than average – caused by the liver working to compensate and get vital nutrients to the body. Because of this, weight loss is anticipated and has occurred as well. She has lost quite a bit and has also developed chronic anemia.
(Anyone who knows my mom, knows that although she is tiny, she LOVES her food! She was most happy to eat a day after she regained consciousness and left the ICU)
Liver transplant is needed to save her life and I know she welcomes the chance for that. The Mason Clinic with Piedmont Hospital specializes in transplants. She joined this and is almost at the completion of the many demanding tests required to qualify as a recipient. We had no idea how much this would involve, but it is a long process. Once all tests, etc. are complete, she will need to wait additional time until she receives a “score” – called the MELD score – that combines four different lab results to obtain a total. This total is how liver disease patients are rated in order of need for transplant. Other important lab tests are to monitor labs that represent kidney function and bleeding time, as the liver causes changes in these areas, as does some of the side effects of medications. We are glad that her tests have turned out great so far – cardiac tests, colonoscopy, mammography, and others, but the suffering continues for her daily and will until the transplant is complete.
Another requirement of being accepted to the Transplant Program is attending support group and educational sessions. At these sessions, patients that have already undergone a transplant discuss new topics weekly, offering those patients still waiting the opportunity to learn more and gain support. It is difficult to give an exact monetary amount needed; however, most of us understand through education that it can be as high as $60,000.00 in out-of-pocket expenses. My parents were told that she could be on as many as twenty prescriptions immediately after her surgery and that some of the most important anti-Rejection drugs that protect the liver can cost from $800.00 up to $8000.00 monthly. For example, one prescription that is needed currently had an out-of-pocket expense of $600.00 a month.
(My Dad, Brother & Mom at a support group meeting)
(My big brother Paul has stepped in as my Mom’s medical care organizer. It’s a full time job keeping up with appointments/requirements)
A bit about my parents:
My Dad has owned and operated a small business for the past 35+ years and my mom has worked my entire life, but they are far from wealthy. They are a hard-working, Christian couple who just celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary this past Valentine’s Day.
(Mom & Dad a few years ago)
They met when my Dad was serving in The United States Marines.
Having been through so much in the past, my mom was learning to be cautious with anyone claiming to love her so soon – which is exactly what my dad did. He told her he loved her only two days after meeting her and she laughed at his “nonsense.” She wanted proof. He persisted, stating that he would protect her heart. Eventually, she realized his love was true. They married in a tiny chapel at the Camp Geiger United States Marine base in North Carolina.
I wish I had permission to share my Mom’s entire life story, it’s like something out of a movie and not in a good way. But my Mom is very private and even the thought of sharing this was a lot for her. I can tell you this, she is a fighter. Her early years were extremely challenging, to say the least. Every time she’s been knocked down, she gets back and up and keeps reaching for MAJOR goals. We would love nothing more than to see her receive a transplant, recover and live out a long life with us. I can see her working in the nursing field for 20 more years!
(Our family ♥️)
Co-organizers (2)
Tiffany Krumins
Organizer
Auburn, GA
Patricia Dunsha
Beneficiary
Paul Dunsha
Co-organizer