Unknown to us until now, Sara’s kidney numbers (creatinine) have been increasing since the transplant and now she has become catabolic with high level of toxins in the blood. This morning the doctors diagnosed acute renal failure (loss of kidney function) to both kidneys. This has apparently been the root cause of her puffiness due to fluid accumulation in tissues, the trigger of her poor respiratory function requiring the ventilator caused by fluid in lung tissues inhibiting breathing, and a loss in urinary output. Renal failure is often caused by large blood loss (which occurred during the transplant) when the body sends blood flow to brain/heart/lungs and sacrifices the kidneys, low and wildly fluctuating blood pressure (occurred during the transplant and after), infection (still active now, we had another temperature spike early morning), and general trauma (that describes Sara pretty well right now).
Sara has been connected to a 24x7 hemodialysis machine to clean up her blood, remove free water from her blood, and give her kidneys a rest. The device is parked bedside in her room in the ICU. Hemodialysis could last a week or much longer, we do not know. The doctors communicated that the kidneys normally recover in a case like this. Her young age and healthy kidneys before this happened are in her favor. The thing working against her is the infection and the continuing use of Prograf, an organ anti-rejection immunosuppressant drug that is particularly hard on kidneys but required to protect her other new organs. Talking to several doctors and nurses separately, I heard that renal failure is not too unusual in cases like hers, it happens to multi-visceral transplant cases with some frequency, and that most patients recover with no long term impact.
One thing is absolute. Sara is feisty and will NOT give up, and her support team (all of us) are there for her and praying for her rapid recovery...m2
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Sara, Marc, and Sheri,
ReplyDeleteWe, our family and friends stand with you in prayer, all across the US for our wonderful and amazing Sara! I pray that God will give her the strength, endurance, and healing to overcome this trauma quickly.
Sending love,
Linda Haugen
I had a MV (liver, stomach, pancreas, small bowel) transplant in 2007. I was in the exact same situation after the transplant as you just described. My kidneys failed after the tx due to blood loss and the prograf. I too was hooked up to hemodialysis 24/7 for a while and put in a sedated coma. But my kidneys came back and I know Sara's will too. SHe is young and she is very strong!
ReplyDeleteBecause my kidney's failed, my kidney function is not up to par but that is due to having to be on prograf. They predict I may need a kidney tx way down the road but for now, they work!! And for that I am thankful.
I just wanted to share my experience and let you know that it is just another small bump in the road. But it does get better. I am keeping Sara in my prayers and thinking of you all during this time.
Michelle
Marc and Sheri,
ReplyDeleteWe're following your reports of Sara's condition every step of the way. Give her hand a squeeze and tell her that the Ivys are constantly pulling for their favorite "Bionic Woman".
Love,
Susan, John, Brian and Elise
Michelle (My Recyled Body),
ReplyDeleteI never comment back only b/c we appreciate every single comment and it would fill Sara's blog with too many reponses if I did. However, the commonality between your life experience and Sara's has been so close that I had to respond this time and express my gratitude for your posting your experiences. I just read your post out loud to Sara, and although she is deeply sedated, I saw a flicker and I know she heard it. Thanks! And to everyone who communicates with us in Sara's blog, I read them all to Sara when she is unable to do it herself, and your words keep her and our family feeling hopeful, energized and fortunate to have you pulling for us. Sara cannot post in her blog in her current condition, so I do it to for her to keep everyone up to date until Sara can resume it herself ...m2 (the Dad)
Oh, it hurts my heart to read this. I do hope that this will end up being just another small bump in the road, and I pray that Sara isn't experiencing too much pain right now. I think of Sara every day - her strength and resilience are inspiring, to say the absolute least. I'm pulling for her and sending as many healing vibes her way as I possibly can.
ReplyDeleteAs always, thank you for taking the time to update us.
Casey
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have been following Sara's blog since before her first tx and we are also Facebook friends. Although I don't usually comment, I really felt the need to tell you my similar ordeal and help put your minds at ease. It is a long and rough road but it does get better. If you would like to read my complete story and pass the information on to Sara, I have created a website detailing my journey through the transplant. It is www.bedpanconfessions.webs.com
ReplyDeleteSending my prayers.
God Bless,
Michelle
Sara, you are an amazing spirit. I am thinking about you and your family during these difficult days. There is much life left to live and you have so much left to give. Stay strong, be well.
ReplyDeleteSarah Christofferson
Marc and Sheri,
ReplyDeleteMy prayers and love are with you everyday.
Jan and I had gone to bed Sunday night when we realized we hadn’t checked the Hopelessly Hopeful blog. As we read the Saturday blog we received a phone call that Sara had died. We were speechless, but our thoughts took us back in time remembering the charm that was Sara. Before smart phones and blogs there were sleepovers, soccer, dance (but that one was for the parents), endless hours of giggling, and the never ending quest to find something that Sara would eat (we always had granola bars on hand).
ReplyDeleteSara is gone, but the memories and her smile will be with us forever. We were fortunate to have her pass through our lives. Jan and I recently wrote Sara that “Strength…comes from love.” And it always will.
Love,
Jan and Gene