E:60 on ESPN made a tribute video about a boxer named Francisco "Paco" Rodriguez, who was pronounced brain dead after he was injured in a boxing match. His family portrays and explains what organ donation is all about. I reccomend you take 15 minutes and check it out. It is awesome that ESPN made a tribute to a true hero during Donate Life month:
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6390758&categoryid=3060647
Organ donation registrant numbers are climbing, which is great news! Spreading the word and helping people discover what organ donation is all about seems to be reaching more and more people.
Thank you to all regiestered donors!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
APRIL is Donate Life Month!!!
Please tell all of your friends what a special gift it is to become an organ and tissue donor. There are so many people's lives that can be saved and changed by this gift. Visit: donatelifetn.org for more information.
This week I had another checkup with the clinic where I meet with the surgeons. I got a great report and my bilirubin is down a little more, which is great news. All of my liver enzymes are wonderful!! The only "lecture" I got is to keep eating a high protein diet, which is difficult for me because I am a carb junkie :) I am able to drop one one of my immunosuppresant medications, which is great! One less pill to swallow four times a day is a nice change :) Overall, I couldn't be more pleased and thankful!!
I don't have to have another "big checkup" for another three months :)
This week I had another checkup with the clinic where I meet with the surgeons. I got a great report and my bilirubin is down a little more, which is great news. All of my liver enzymes are wonderful!! The only "lecture" I got is to keep eating a high protein diet, which is difficult for me because I am a carb junkie :) I am able to drop one one of my immunosuppresant medications, which is great! One less pill to swallow four times a day is a nice change :) Overall, I couldn't be more pleased and thankful!!
I don't have to have another "big checkup" for another three months :)
Hope everyone is having a great week, and I will do my best to get around to stories soon! I have been in the midst of finishing the classes I was taking when I got sick. I am very thankful that I am able to finish them so my Master's degree is not delayed too much. So, it is back in the saddle to study, study, study...
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Hello!
Hello everyone!! It is Ashlie! I am taking over the blog to share different stories, moments, updates and little life lessons I have learned along my journey. I am so greatful to Whitney for sharing her words, stories, and keeping everyone updated. She has done such a wonderful job!
I am now three months out from my transplant date. Bertha (my new liver) and I seem to be getting along well! Starting this week, I am only having to get blood work done every other week, which will be a nice break. My bilirubin is a 0.5, which falls into the "normal" range! So, I am extremely excited about this progress.
Thankyou to everyone, near and far, for your prayers and support! My family and I could not have made it through everything without each and every one of you. I will never be able to express my gratitude and how much it has meant to us.
"Gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions, especially when it is deep."
~ Felix Frankfurter
I am now three months out from my transplant date. Bertha (my new liver) and I seem to be getting along well! Starting this week, I am only having to get blood work done every other week, which will be a nice break. My bilirubin is a 0.5, which falls into the "normal" range! So, I am extremely excited about this progress.
Thankyou to everyone, near and far, for your prayers and support! My family and I could not have made it through everything without each and every one of you. I will never be able to express my gratitude and how much it has meant to us.
"Gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions, especially when it is deep."
~ Felix Frankfurter
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
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!
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.”
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
Friday, February 4, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
"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
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, January 21, 2011
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!
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!
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