Fall Greetings to All,
I am sitting here in my office this morning, looking out my window feeling blessed with another beautiful Nebraska fall day. I was able to ride my horse yesterday and it felt better than ever. There is no better therapy for me, I wish I could share it with all of you that would be willing to crawl on the back of a 1200 lb animal. It has to be close to heaven.
Almost 3 months have gone by since they placed me on the liver transplant list. Therefore this past Tuesday we made a trip to Omaha for a follow-up MRI and labs. In order to receive special exception points and increase my MELD score these tests were required. My blood work continues to be completely NORMAL, which still baffles me. It would baffle all of you as well if you could see what my liver looks like on ultrasound. My MRI showed a slight increase in the size of my lesions. My prior study showed the 2 largest lesions measuring 3.8x3.4 cm, and 2.5x2.5 cm. Now they measure 4.3x3.8 cm and 2.7X2.6 cm. FYI, there are 2.5 cm in an inch. I would be lying if I told you this doesn't worry me, but I have to find a positive in everything (to keep my sanity) and all of my other organs look normal. So there is no evidence of tumor invasion anywhere else. Thank the Lord above. They will submit a letter and send it off to request the additional points. They are asking for a 3 point increase. If they accept the request, my MELD score will increase to a 25. If all of you will pray with me for that 3 point gift, I would appreciate it.
I continue to feel great, and I am so thankful for that. Once again I cannot thank you enough for all of the e-mails, cards, calls, gifts and support. I couldn't take this journey without all of you behind me giving me the strength to fight with all I have. I am lifted up by the kindness and generosity I have received. I will update you "when" they raise my MELD score. I return to see Dr. Sorrell at the end of the month. I feel so good, and look as "normal" as I always have, (I know some of you are laughing right now, I expect that ) that I actually scanned my liver for my mom the other day to show her my tumors so she would "believe" that I have cancer. I told her I wasn't faking it :). On a more serious note, I just feel so bad for my parents and my sister for this additional stress. As most of you know, we lost my oldest sister Tracy when she was murdered 10 years ago. My mom is one of the strongest women I have ever known, and I see her struggling with this and the "reality" of another enormous fight. When you wonder some days how much more can you take? It is more than you can ever imagine. We are currently fighting for Tracy again. Her murderer is appealing his sentence in hopes of getting a new trial. Of course we will fight for her, because of him she can't fight for herself any longer. She had the kindest heart, I strive to be more like her. She was never one to judge another. She was a friend to everyone, and gave all she could including her last dollar, never asking for anything in return.
Bless each and every one of you. Get out there and enjoy these beautiful fall days, and if you have a chance to climb on a horse and take a ride, think of me and enjoy every minute, because you will never get that minute back. Plus, the house work will be there when the snow is flying.
Love to you all,
Trisha
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