All is still well...

I cannot wait to see mom and dad! We are headed up there this weekend after work. My bosses suggested that I bring Chloe to work so I don't have to go get her before we make the drive. I just may do that! A little wary about the germs though (on Chloe's fur before I bring her to mom). Will decide on Friday...

Mom is doing SO well. She said that her blood work still looks awesome, and that they lowered the Prograff (anti-rejection medicine.) As I understand it, she will never get off that drug, but it sounds good to me that they are lowering it.

She seems to have as much energy as she should, or more! I can't wait to see her!

I am really missing the lake. I love it there, and look forward to a long weekend getting some last minute sun and relaxation!

I am doing fine. I think I have all my energy back. I am still a little too tired to go to the gym to work out after work, but I get to the park. I have started some push ups and sit ups, and have noticed that I really have lost a ton of muscle. I go to tennis Thursday, so I am hopeful that my body will react well.

At first I lost probably a total of 15 pounds, but that's slowly creeping back up. I'm not sure how I feel about that! I know most of it was muscle, and it's annoying to not fit into my clothes, but I like the -15 pounds!

I feel like I sound like a broken record, but I could not imagine this to have gone any more smoothly! :)

Football season is around the corner. My family and I are huge football fans. We can't wait to watch all of the games this fall! GO DAWGS!!! (GO UVA!)

Stunned.

This weekend, my family heard of the story in Denver in which a brother died from donating a portion of his liver to his brother. We do not know the specific circumstances, other than he appeared to be healthy, and that the hospital is looking into the exact cause of death. Our hearts go out to the family, as well as the surgeons who were involved in this delicate procedure.

There have only been 4 donor deaths out of the 4,126 living liver transplants. (I often wonder if mom and I are included in this data yet.) Maybe it's 4,127? Two deaths have been in 2010. However, this is still remarkable, and I hope that the hospital resumes these types of transplants.

When I read the article, I was stunned.
So many similarities.
* They were informed of the risks.
* The donor was healthy (I believe he was 34).
* The donor complained of shoulder pain post-op.
* The donor was a blood relative.
* The brothers seemed to have an extremely supportive family system.
* The donor donated just over 60% of his liver.
* Chad said, "I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't hear of it."
* Chad had PSC too.

Did it stun me? Yes. For a few days.
Did I question my decision for one second? Absolutely not.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the CU staff during this trying time. Chad, we wish you a speedy recovery.

Keep on keepin' on...

Mom is doing great! She emailed me her recent blood work results, but I must have deleted them by accident. All her liver levels were perfect. Her nurse said that they were, "awesome!" So, we are so pleased. She told me today that she walked for 45 minutes today, which is even more awesome.

Among other things, Mom also has a knack for finding four leaf clovers. She has found probably 30 or more since we arrived in Virginia in late May. I found one. Typical. I think I could have found more if I were a little more patient...

I plan on going up to see Mom and Dad in a few weeks if I can handle the drive after work. I can't wait!

I am back to work, and enjoying it. The summer was a perfect time to recover. I have been walking at the park for over a month now, but it is too hot to walk after work. I am itching to get back into heavy working out, but it's just not time yet.

Last night, I tried to do some leg lifts. You know, the easy kind where you lay on your side and...lift your leg. I used to do them with weights. Like hundreds. I tried 30, and about died. This is when I realized, "abdominal surgery is no joke." I actually think I said that out loud...to which my dog just stared at me like, "Duh. this is why was having all my panic attacks!" Then, I chatted with a good friend about it, and we had a good laugh at my realization of this...ten weeks post-op. Again, typical Ashley. So, I guess for having my abs ripped open, I'm doing very well, thankyouverymuch.

We couldn't be more pleased with the results thus far. Every now and then, I stop to reflect on the summer. I wish I had kept more of a daily diary, but in hind sight, I know I was way too tired and impatient for all of that. We are blessed.

Thank you everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers as mom has her 3 month check up and finally comes back home! We are a little (translation: a lot) nervous about germs!

-ashley

Virginia IS for Livers