Appointment Praise!

Ashlie's doctor's appointment went about as well as it possibly could have today!  They were able to see Dr. Campos who is the surgeon who performed her transplant (who, understandably, we all love!), and he gave her a glowing report!  He was very pleased with how she looked, how she is healing, and her bloodwork!

Dr.Campos also gave them the final liver pathology report which was inconclusive.  This was something Ashlie was prepared for, and Dr. Campos emphasized that her new liver was "happy" and that she should focus on her new healthy life ahead! 

Ashlie looks great, she is feeling so well, and she is regaining her independence everyday!  She is driving again (even to Memphis by herself for bloodwork on Monday), and she is enjoying each new day and the promises of renewed health that it brings!  Her appointments are getting fewer and further between- she will have bloodwork done on a weekly basis and does not see a doctor again for two more months. 

We are all still so thankful for the prayers and concern for Ashlie!  She is running into people as she is out and about, and everyone's love for her is so overwhelming!  She wanted me to be sure and continue to ask for prayers on her behalf, and if specific things to pray for come up, I will be sure to post them on the blog.  She is- without a doubt- a walking miracle!

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
   but will rejoice over you with singing.” 

-Zephaniah 3:17

End of the week update

Ashlie has had a really good week!  She is continuing to recover very well!  She has been having bloodwork done twice a week in Memphis and continued that this week.  She got two good reports- her doctors are very pleased with her bloodwork numbers and levels.  She sees her doctor again in about a week and a half for a check-up. 

As I have said multiple times, we are so thankful for everyone's prayers!  The Lord has answered them in miraculous ways, and we will always be grateful for His faithfulness and everyone's love and support!  I will update again after Ashlie's check-up on the 15th of this month.

"Bertha" explanation & update

Hello faithful readers! I wanted to provide a bit more information about the naming of Ashlie's new liver per her request! She knows that her friends will understand since they get her sense of humor, but that a little more of an explanation would be good for the rest of you so that you don't think she has lost her sanity when she got rid of her old liver!

Ashlie & Natalie were a little slap-happy after their quick trip to Jackson a few weekends ago and quick return to Memphis because of the flu exposure. The idea of naming Ash's new liver was brought up and "Bertha" became the winner because of the new "birth" idea behind it. Ashlie has definitely been reborn into her healthy self again! It also doesn't hurt that Bertha is a funny name that gives a laugh on a daily basis when Ashlie (and the rest of us, too) needs one!

Ashlie returned to Memphis for bloodwork on Monday and has to make a return trip for more bloodwork on Thursday morning. All of her numbers are looking good including her bilirubin which is still decreasing, but she does not have enough of the anti-rejection medicine in her system. They have upped her dose and will recheck the levels on Thursday.

Thank you so much for the continued thoughts and prayers! I will ask that you continue to pray for Ash's recovery and medicine levels normalizing, but also that she can stay illness-free with so much going around these days!

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

Friday Update

Ashlie continues to do well and thankfully did not get the flu! She did make the decision to try to keep a mask on while she is around my germy kids just to be safe!

Ashlie saw her doctor on Tuesday and had bloodwork done. Her bilirubin had gone down to 2.2 which is a huge praise! She had her staples out as well. They are still trying to find the right dose of the anti-rejection medicine for her. She will continue to have bloodwork done once or twice a week over the next month or so.

"Bertha" is what Ashlie has decided to name her new liver! She uses "Bertha" in conversation to talk about how her new liver is treating her. She is definitely more mobile and continues to improve everyday! Please continue to pray for her recovery and for the right balance of medicine!

Weekend Update

Ashlie is feeling pretty well! My mom made it back to Jackson on Thursday night in an effort to catch her breath and prepare for the Edwards family Christmas celebration that was supposed to happen today. Ashlie & Natalie came to Jackson last night, and we were able to share a meal while staying toasty by the fire. Ashlie was home long enough to be able to play with her niece and nephew and to be exposed to the flu! Cooper was perfectly fine until about 8 last night when he started crashing fast. He was diagnosed this morning with flu A which ended the Edwards family Christmas celebration. Ashlie and Natalie decided to head back to Memphis to get out of the germy house, and Ashlie has been prescribed Tamiflu as a precaution because of the condition of her immune system after a transplant. More than likely, she will settle back into mom & dad's house in Jackson after her appointment on Tuesday in Memphis.

My mom stayed here, and decided that since it is not in the cards for us to all have a Christmas celebration this year that she would take down her dead Christmas tree and try to get her life reorganized until Ashlie's appointments in Memphis. My dad suggested a thorough inventory of the presents followed by storage in the attic for next Christmas- I don't think this idea will fly especially with a sick four-year-old who wants the rest of his presents that he's been promised for the last three weeks!

A couple of things to pray for specifically for Ashlie:
-That she does not get the flu. She did not have any direct contact with Cooper, but she's still at risk for sure.
-Her bilirubin has been going down consistently since her transplant, but at her bloodwork Thursday it increased a little- from 2.4 to 2.7. To put it in perspective, her bilirubin at the highest level we have recorded before her transplant was 32, and normal levels are around 1, so she has improved dramatically, but the doctors want to see it continue to decrease.
-She is still trying to find the right dosage & combination of anti-rejection medicines for her body. She has done well with them this week, but it is definitely a work in progress that will continue for a while, so please pray for that process.

Thanks again for the support and prayers! Ashlie looks great! Cooper said she looks like the "normal" Sis-sis which is an enormous compliment from a very honest four-year-old! I will update again after her appointment on Tuesday.

Home Again

Ashlie has finally made it back out of the hospital. She and my mom are thrilled to be back at Natalie and Eric's house. They are planning to stay there a few more days before heading back to Jackson. Thanks for all of the prayers for her during this recent hospital stay. Please continue to pray for her muscle pain in her stomach and for her total healing. War Eagle!

War Eagle from Memphis!

Ashlie is still in the hospital. They canceled her GI tests because of the weather which is kind of frustrating, but my mom said that she guesses it's only fitting that they watch the National Championship game in the hospital since they have spent all of the holidays, Ashlie's birthday, and several other important days in the hospital. Hopefully they will have the tests done tomorrow and will be headed home soon! Until that happens, I will leave you with Natalie & Eric's snowman from today- War Eagle!