Hello All,
I am finally sending out a quick update following my CT scan. A couple of days following my CT I decided to pick up the ultrasound probe and look at my liver myself. I have to admit I was a little reserved in doing so, since the last time I did this I found my cancer. The first thing I see is a complex cystic structure, in the right lobe of my liver. I just thought it was a resolving hematoma or collection of blood from my liver biopsies. After several days had passed I called UNMC for the CT results. They saw the cystic structure as well, however it is was not a hematoma, it was connected to a bile duct in my liver. The internal medicine doctor did not know what to tell me, and it took a couple of days to get ahold of my surgeon, Dr. Botha, and he knew exactly where it was and was not concerned. Thank goodness. I was concerned there for awhile that I was looking at another procedure, and I was not looking forward to that.
Since then, they have decreased my anti-rejection medication to only 4 mg per day, and my prednisone is down to 10 mg per day. The decrease in medication is always great news.
I am feeling 100%, without any side affects at all. I am back in the swing of my job, and really enjoying the change in routine, other than labs and Dr. appointments.
We had some sad, sad news this past week. Larry's cousin Jamie was murdered by her boyfriend, who also took his own life. Her aunt and uncle are the kind people that we lived with once I got released from the hospital, Jim and Shirley Simmonds. This really hits home with me, and my heart goes out to them. The pain and heartache that comes with such a tragedy is so overwhelming.
We found out this week that Tim's (the man who took my sister's life) last appeal was denied, so that is behind us one more time. We know there will be more down the road, but it is over for now.
I continue to be blessed by all of you and your support, and I am so thankful.
All my love,
Trisha
No News is Good News, February 2, 2010
Hello everyone,
I am just sending warm wishes from sunny Florida to all of you. Even my friends in Texas are frozen. I have been on the road since Monday doing installs in Knoxville, TN and Sarasota, FL. It sure feels good to work again, and the 80 degree temperature sure doesn't hurt either. I saw Dr. Sorrell last week, and although he wants to see my liver functions return to normal, they are not going up, and that is good. They are close to normal. They did reduce my prednisone, which is a blessing. I am flying back into Omaha tonight, and will have labs in the morning at UNMC. In the next couple weeks I will have my 3 month follow-up CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis. I will have them every 3 months for a year, to make sure the cancer does not return. In my mind that is not an option, and I try not to worry about it. I feel great. Without the scar and handful of pills I take daily, I would not know I had a liver transplant. For those of you that are wondering, I have not heard back from the donor family. I will continue to write, and maybe someday I will.
I would like to ask all of you to add Forrest Stone Allen to your prayers. I work with his father who is an equine vet in Virginia. I have had the pleasure of working with his mother Rae as well. She is the dolphin specialist I installed for at Dolphin Quest in Hawaii last February. Their son Forrest was in a snowboarding accident a few weeks back and suffered a brain injury, as well as 2 broken vertebrae in his back. They will be moving him to a rehab center in Atlanta tomorrow. I pray for his recovery everyday. He is blessed with a wonderful support system, and I know how important that is for a successful recovery. When we have hope, we can conquer the fear. You all give me hope, and I want to pass it on to Forrest.
Follow his blog at www.forreststoneallen.blogspot.com if you are interested. He has many challenges ahead, but from what I read about him he will rise to the occasion and face them head on.
Bless you all,
Trisha
I am just sending warm wishes from sunny Florida to all of you. Even my friends in Texas are frozen. I have been on the road since Monday doing installs in Knoxville, TN and Sarasota, FL. It sure feels good to work again, and the 80 degree temperature sure doesn't hurt either. I saw Dr. Sorrell last week, and although he wants to see my liver functions return to normal, they are not going up, and that is good. They are close to normal. They did reduce my prednisone, which is a blessing. I am flying back into Omaha tonight, and will have labs in the morning at UNMC. In the next couple weeks I will have my 3 month follow-up CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis. I will have them every 3 months for a year, to make sure the cancer does not return. In my mind that is not an option, and I try not to worry about it. I feel great. Without the scar and handful of pills I take daily, I would not know I had a liver transplant. For those of you that are wondering, I have not heard back from the donor family. I will continue to write, and maybe someday I will.
I would like to ask all of you to add Forrest Stone Allen to your prayers. I work with his father who is an equine vet in Virginia. I have had the pleasure of working with his mother Rae as well. She is the dolphin specialist I installed for at Dolphin Quest in Hawaii last February. Their son Forrest was in a snowboarding accident a few weeks back and suffered a brain injury, as well as 2 broken vertebrae in his back. They will be moving him to a rehab center in Atlanta tomorrow. I pray for his recovery everyday. He is blessed with a wonderful support system, and I know how important that is for a successful recovery. When we have hope, we can conquer the fear. You all give me hope, and I want to pass it on to Forrest.
Follow his blog at www.forreststoneallen.blogspot.com if you are interested. He has many challenges ahead, but from what I read about him he will rise to the occasion and face them head on.
Bless you all,
Trisha
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