Fran Needs a Liver

Hi everyone! I thought it was time to give an update as it's been THREE WHOLE MONTHS since Fran had her transplant.

We had our three month post op follow up this past week, and everything is still looking great lab wise! We changed one of her medications last month to help with strain on her kidneys, and the doctor is already very pleased with her improvement.

Fran was in physical therapy, but around the second month mark she ended up herniating a disc, so we've taken a step back from that. Hopefully soon we can get Fran back to it so she can continue building up some good muscle.

In addition, a gentle reminder to anyone who may see Fran out and about: with some of the medicine she has to take for the rest of her life, her immune system is INCREDIBLY surpressed. So if you have a cold or illness, please avoid hugs and wear a mask around her as she can catch things very easily.

Apologies for the recent quiet on this page, had some trouble with admin access.

WE'RE GOING HOME THIS MORNING!!!! HOORAY!!!! 🖤

Today was Fran’s 3 week post-op visit…. All of her staples are GONE!

We also did get confirmation that we’re all able to go home next Wednesday, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Physical therapy has gone very well the last couple of weeks, and all of Fran’s lab levels are where they want them to be!

Thank you again for all of your thoughts and well wishes these last few weeks- we’ve definitely felt them! And we’re excited to watch Fran get to live her life again.

It’s been TWO WHOLE WEEKS since we came up to Chicago for Fran’s liver transplant… can you believe it?? We can’t!

Fran is still doing incredibly well. This week we started seeing an in-home physical therapist, and today an occupational therapist will also come and do an evaluation. The PT seemed pretty impressed with her mobility considering that she’s only been out of the hospital for a week! She’s walking really well without a mobility aid and she’s been doing a great job at doing her physical therapy homework.

This morning Fran also filled her own weekly med organizer as I quizzed her on what each medicine did for her. She has been taking the medicines very seriously and has been able to remember what all of the important medicines are, which bodes well for her going home and getting back to her regular life.

We also recently found out that we may be able to go home sooner than we thought! We’ll need to check with Fran's doctors on Friday, but there’s a good chance we’ll all be back home by Valentine’s Day. 💖

Fran's first post-transplant follow up went really well today!

She needed an additional magnesium drip but otherwise, the doctor said the rest of her levels look PERFECT. The new liver is doing it's job!

Here is a little peak into post-transplant life!

While Fran's new liver means she was able/had to stop taking a lot of her older prescriptions, a whole lot more have been added.

On the left are the medicines she took before transplant that she will continue to take, and on the right are all of the additional meds we have to add to our daily regimen. Once more time has passed, she will be able to stop taking 2-3 of those new medicines, but most of them will be lifelong medications.

Fran is only complaining a little bit during big med times 😉 But she knows and understands how important these medications are for keeping her new liver safe and healthy.

Fran has been sprung!!! Now onto the real work!

It sounds like someone is doing so well that she should be making an escape from the hospital tomorrow afternoon! 🤫

Not a whole lot to report today, but Fran is still doing well! She ate three whole meals today and all of her vitals look good, and she's moving the way the nurses and physical therapist want her to.

We are officially out of the ICU and up on the recovery floor!

All of the staff seem thrilled with the progress she's making. When transfer time came, mom was able to use a walker and walk herself to the transport bed. She's allowed to eat and drink at least a little bit at a time!

She's also started some light physical therapy, mostly just short walks and moving to the reclining chair from her bed. Everything is looking good!