Now just waiting for a Liver...

Home, finally. This hospital trip was certainly more traumatic and stressful than the first. I think the first one was almost 'fun' for Kayli despite the diagnosis. For one thing she didn't feel sick, nothing really bad happened, and she had lots of attention and visits from friends and wellwishers. This one, not so fun. This was downright awful. It's been a heartbreaking experience, but also one full of love and hope. Hope that things will turn around, or that the perfect liver will come Kayli's way. The chaplain visited Kayli today before we left the hospital, and told Kayli "Remember, we aren't wishing for anyone to die, we are praying for someone to be generous in their loss."

Today was a long, boring one. The orders were written for her to go home, then a few hours passed, then they removed her central line, then a few hours passed, then we finally left. She was so glad- I was too because she was getting pretty grumpy. She is home, resting comfortably, and on a low sodium diet. Aside from the severe bruising up and down each arm and a round little "Prednisone" face, you would never know the girl just faced a life-threatening situation 4 short days ago. She's amazing.

Kayli has an appointment in the medical center tomorrow with her liver doctor. We will go over with him the latest medication schedule, prognosis, etc. From what we have gathered, they believe she will receive a liver transplant within the next 6 months. A part of me is praying that day never comes, but a part of me knows that a new liver is better than no liver, or her very sick liver. Kayli is going to sit out the rest of the semester from school- she will be on the Homebound program. We are waiting confirmation and instructions from the school. A teacher will come to the house 4 hours a week to help her get caught up and finish the semester, than she will start school fresh when the next semester starts January 5th while we wait for a liver. As for Mark, Emily, & I- we will keep trucking along. Emily is in CYT's production of Seussical which will be GREAT!!! Kayli will work back stage and Mark & I will help as we can. If you would like to come see the show, it will be in January however Kayli is already selling tickets for the ticket sales contest!! Mark & I were to have left on our cruise to the Carribbean today...obviously we won't be going. I was pretty disappointed, it was to be my birthday gift and our first cruise and trip away together!!! But, alas, I think there is something much more important for me to do at the moment. :)

I will post again tomorrow after we have talked to the doctor if anything changes. We appreciate so much what everyone is doing for us. If Kayli has a transplant, she will be in ICU for 3 weeks after, which will mean much more help needed!! Until then we will be making weekly trips to the Medical Center for doctors appointments, and monthly Upper Endoscopy procedures to ensure the banding and the liver shunts are working properly. I will continue to update this blog so that you can all follow Kayli's progress, and hopefully her story will be one to give others hope!

SPECIAL THANKS GO OUT TODAY TO THE GOLDWAIT FAMILY AND TO DONNA MCIVER. THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING TODAY SPECIAL!