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Miracles do happen! This is our family's story of five miracles as our sister, Vicky, maintained her will to survive with all of our love and strength.
In August 2015, Vicky was diagnosed with end stage liver disease and kidney failure. By November 16, Vicky's health had taken a turn for the worse and the doctors gave her the diagnosis that without these two organs, she had no chance of survival. The hospital arranged for hospice to come the next day and prepare her to return home. Within one hour of the meeting with hospice, her team of doctors returned to deliver the amazing news- OHSU had a bed open to assess her for a transplant, our first miracle! The next day, she was transported by ambulance to Portland from St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, OR.
Vicky stayed at OHSU for another three weeks, undergoing countless tests before she could be approved for the transplant list. She was sent home days before Christmas and on Christmas Eve, received the news that we were waiting for- that she had made it onto the transplant list, our second miracle!
In the beginning months of 2016, however, her health once again took a turn for the worse. In February, she was placed on a 24-hour blood transfusion as she was in absolute kidney failure & because her blood pressure was so low. They knew immediately that she needed to be back at OHSU under such grave conditions, she was life-flighted to Portland on February 20. Afraid that she was too sick to make it through the surgery, her husband, children, mom & sisters stayed diligently by her side.
As the days continued Vicky's health rapidly deterioated, knowing something had to happen quickly for her to survive. That third miracle happened on the evening of March 10th when the nurse entered her room at 10:00p and said no more fluids. Knowing that was the chance we needed, more tests were run, 18 vials of blood tested, and at 2:10am the final words we wanted to hear- there was a donor that matched Vicky perfectly for a liver AND kidney. Surgery began at 5:38am and continued for 9 hours. Then the absolute best news- that Vicky made it through surgery, our fourth miracle! The next 24 hours were essential that her body not reject these organs. We had absolute joy in our hearts and sadness for the donor family that so selflessly saved Vicky's life with that one decision to be a donor. In 6 months, we will be given the opportunity to thank the donor family for saving the most amazing, generous- of-spirit, kind, always- thinking- of-others sister, mother, grandmother, best friend, soul mate in the world.
After 3 long weeks at OHSU, Vicky was moved to a rehabilation facility as she teaches her body how to function again. Knowing that the road is long but so bright, this is where we realize the exorbitant costs of surgery, transportation, rehabiliation, physical therapy, occupation therapy, housing, and food. Vicky will stay at this facility for up to 1 month, if not longer. Vicky will then rent an apartment in Portland to be close to OHSU and continue the weekly testing to make sure she is absolutely on the right track of healing & accepting these organs. She plans to be home in Redmond by summer time. Please be a part of our fifth miracle as we help our sister realize her dream of going to the beach once again and feeling the sand between her toes and the sun on her face.
In August 2015, Vicky was diagnosed with end stage liver disease and kidney failure. By November 16, Vicky's health had taken a turn for the worse and the doctors gave her the diagnosis that without these two organs, she had no chance of survival. The hospital arranged for hospice to come the next day and prepare her to return home. Within one hour of the meeting with hospice, her team of doctors returned to deliver the amazing news- OHSU had a bed open to assess her for a transplant, our first miracle! The next day, she was transported by ambulance to Portland from St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, OR.
Vicky stayed at OHSU for another three weeks, undergoing countless tests before she could be approved for the transplant list. She was sent home days before Christmas and on Christmas Eve, received the news that we were waiting for- that she had made it onto the transplant list, our second miracle!
In the beginning months of 2016, however, her health once again took a turn for the worse. In February, she was placed on a 24-hour blood transfusion as she was in absolute kidney failure & because her blood pressure was so low. They knew immediately that she needed to be back at OHSU under such grave conditions, she was life-flighted to Portland on February 20. Afraid that she was too sick to make it through the surgery, her husband, children, mom & sisters stayed diligently by her side.
As the days continued Vicky's health rapidly deterioated, knowing something had to happen quickly for her to survive. That third miracle happened on the evening of March 10th when the nurse entered her room at 10:00p and said no more fluids. Knowing that was the chance we needed, more tests were run, 18 vials of blood tested, and at 2:10am the final words we wanted to hear- there was a donor that matched Vicky perfectly for a liver AND kidney. Surgery began at 5:38am and continued for 9 hours. Then the absolute best news- that Vicky made it through surgery, our fourth miracle! The next 24 hours were essential that her body not reject these organs. We had absolute joy in our hearts and sadness for the donor family that so selflessly saved Vicky's life with that one decision to be a donor. In 6 months, we will be given the opportunity to thank the donor family for saving the most amazing, generous- of-spirit, kind, always- thinking- of-others sister, mother, grandmother, best friend, soul mate in the world. After 3 long weeks at OHSU, Vicky was moved to a rehabilation facility as she teaches her body how to function again. Knowing that the road is long but so bright, this is where we realize the exorbitant costs of surgery, transportation, rehabiliation, physical therapy, occupation therapy, housing, and food. Vicky will stay at this facility for up to 1 month, if not longer. Vicky will then rent an apartment in Portland to be close to OHSU and continue the weekly testing to make sure she is absolutely on the right track of healing & accepting these organs. She plans to be home in Redmond by summer time. Please be a part of our fifth miracle as we help our sister realize her dream of going to the beach once again and feeling the sand between her toes and the sun on her face.Organizer and beneficiary
Vicky Higgins
Beneficiary