Beverly Upgraded To Status 1A

[SteveT]

Hi Folks,

Beverly was admitted to the hospital on Thursday to deal with some fluid overload issues, and during the first day and a half the normal IV diuretics weren't having any success. The Docs made a decision to begin treating her with a fluid filtration machine (see www.chfsolutions.com ), but the treatment backfired. Normally when a person is on the machine the tissues that are holding on to the excess fluid begin moving it to the bloodstream to replenish what's being pulled out, but in Beverly's case it caused her to completely dehydrate and pushed her into kidney failure this morning. Her body temperature dropped to ninety degrees and her heart began trying to work overtime to catch everything up. The Docs intervened and got her stable, but the resulting stress on her heart was fairly severe.

Chances are good that her kidneys will bounce back on their own, but in the meantime she's an extremely sick lady. She's been moved to the ICU, and she's been given a Swan catheter and is on a 24 hour Milrinone pump. This all moves her to a status 1A (which is the highest transplant priority level), and she'll be evaluated weekly to determine if she needs to remain at that level, or if that status can be downgraded because her health improves. Obviously I'm dealing with quite a bit at the moment so I'll try to send updates when I can. Please pray for her.

Steve

[Reenie]

Beverly's definitely in my prayers, as is your whole family. I hope that the new heart comes very soon.

Reenie

[Pam Alexson]

Steve ,

Thoughts and prayers are being sent to Beverly, you and your family. Please keep us posted and let Beverly know we are all praying for her improvement and a new heart.

Pam

[shirleymahoney]

Beverly

Please hang in there you helped me a great deal get thru my problems so if there is anything we can do please don't hesitate to ask and you and your entire family are in my prayer


Shirley

[Lisa Salberg]

Steve and Beverly,
My prayers are with you. I know Beverly is a strong woman with a strong will to live and a great amount of faith. I will pray that a donor is found and that she health is restored very soon.

Be strong and know we are all her for you both,
Lisa

[karen cicconetti]

Steve and Beverly

I will keep you both in my prayers. Stay strong.

Always Karen

[SteveT]

The Docs have had to de-list Beverly until her kidney function comes closer to normal. They expect to have her back on the transplant list tomorrow or Tuesday.

Bev's experience can serve as some education for others who are currently waiting. The majority of HCM patients have a much more delicate fluid volume balance than most who are in heart failure. Make sure that your Docs are playing it very Conservative when pulling excess fluid out of your body.

Steve

[SteveT]

The Docs have had to de-list Beverly until her kidney function comes closer to normal. They expect to have her back on the transplant list tomorrow or Tuesday.

Bev's experience can serve as some education for others who are currently waiting. The majority of HCM patients have a much more delicate fluid volume balance than most who are in heart failure. Make sure that your Docs are playing it very conservative when pulling excess fluid out of your body.

Steve

[karen cicconetti]

Dear Steve

I experienced the same problems as Beverly. Once they had everything stable I was transplanted within a week. Have faith and stay positive and we will keep you both in our prayers.


Karen

[Linda]

Steve, We will be praying for all of you. Please keep us updated when you can. I know you have your hands full keeping things going at home too. Best wishes - Linda

[NoCrash]

Our thoughts are certainly with you both! Stay strong; I'm sure we''ll be hearing about Bev and her new heart before too very long!

~rob

[Laoshur]

Steve, I, too, am praying for Beverly and for all of your family. May your faith and love grow according to your need.

Rhoda

[dreamcatchinglady]

Steve and Beverly,
You both are in my prayers. I know that Beverly is being watched by guardian angels and we are all rooting for her. I am rooting for her and please tell her we all miss her and can't wait to see her feeling well. God bless you both.

[angall]

Hi Steve

Beverly is certainly in my prayers. I hope she gets her very needed heart soon. She seems to be a very strong person, with that willpower, she will fight.

I will also keep you in my prayers for the strength you'll need to be there for Beverly. She certainly will need you now.

Keep strong and I am sure her Guardian Angel is watching over her.

Please keep us informed.

Take care

[SteveT]

Update 2

Today Bev's kidney function and white count returned to normal, so she was put back on the transplant list at about 8PM Central time. The Docs were able to verify that the temporary kidney failure did some damage to her heart, so at this point they expect that the next time she walks out of the hospital will be with her new one.

More updates as I'm able...

Steve

[Cynaburst]

Steve - Thanks so much for keeping us updated. I am sure that this is a difficult time for you.

I am glad to hear that Bev's kidney seems to be back in good order, and I pray that she gets a donor heart very soon.

Best wishes,

Cynthia

[shirleymahoney]

Oh Steve it is wonderful that her kidney's are perking up give her a hug for me please and tell her she has stayed in my thoughts all day


Shirley

[mtlieb]

Steve and Beverly,

Hang in there... we're all praying for you.

Jim

[Midge Rollins]

Steve, please let Beverly know she is in my prayers. I am so grateful her kidney function has returned to normal and she is back to a 1A. Both of you hang in there this heart will come.

[Lisa Salberg]

All I want for my birthday is a new heart for Beverly!

Please pray that my birthday wish comes true!!!

Take care Beverly - we love you and are hoping for good news soon!

Lisa

[AliBear]

Steve and Beverly,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray a new heart will come very soon!
Steve - thank you for the updates at such a difficult time. Stay strong!

Best of luck,
Ali

[Joyce Leinart]

Steve and Beverly
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Toogoofy317]

Steve and Beverly

I'm thinking about you and hoping things get better.

Mary S.

[jmurray]

Steve and Beverly,

I am praying that your heart will come soon. Keep hangin in there.

John

[Debbie]

Steve,

I'm so sorry for what Beverly and you are going through right now.

I will keep you both in my prayers, and I hope that she gets her new heart quickly.

Best wishes,

Debbie

[Lisa Salberg]

Monday night I did speak with Steve - I am sorry I forgot to update the board. Beverly was doing much better and they were both feeling much better about everything. They are even talking about Beverly being able to go back home this week. I believe here status is now back down to 2.

I know I speak for us all when I say We hope for a new heart very soon for Beverly.

Best to all,
Lisa

[NoCrash]

Any further info? (Tinman Club members have to stick together!)

~rob

[Beverly]

Hi everyone,

It's been a while since I've felt like posting. I'm a status 2 but apparently at the top of the list for my size, blood type, and seniority. So it shouldn't be long. My kidneys are much better and the heart has some damage from that incident but hey I'm still here and glad to be home with my family. It's no fun being that sick!

I have learned many lessons since the transplant plan started. I look at people and thier choices thank God for the little things like someday being able to take a shower without having to think if it will wear me out so I can't do anything else that day. Or going to the bathroom without being SOB, talking without SOB, and not having to say no to my kids because Mommy can't handle going somewhere. I can't wait for transplant and I have a lot of things that I hope I will someday be able to do for fun but most of all I just want to be a wife and Mom agian and if the other stuff doesn't happen that's no issue for me. I'll consider the extra a bonus and praise God for the little things.

So keep praying cause God is not done with me yet! And that heart will come when he is done with the person giving me that gift and not a moment sooner.

Take care and God bless1
Beverly

[angall]

Hi Beverly

You have such a positive outlook on your future. You do have faith in God which is a plus.

I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Like you said, "You will get a new heart". Your future will be so much different.

Take care and please keep us posted.

[Reenie]

I'm glad to see that you've moved up the ladder and that you are doing as well as you can. I pray that your wait is as short as possible. I also pray you continue to have the strength to keep the positive attitude!

Reenie

[Midge Rollins]

Beverly, I am so glad things are going okay. You are so right God is not finished with you. As I have told you attitude is the most important factor here. You are doing great. I only pray that your waiting is soon over and you can see life from the other side. Thanking God everyday for your donor and your second chance at life. God Bless You. I will continue to pray for you and your family. This is not an easy journey for them either. In some respects it is harder on family than us as they really worry. So, tell Steve we are thinking and praying for he and the kids too.

[NoCrash]

Great to hear the kidneys have recovered and that you're back home. I can't imagine what it must be like to be in the hospitalat Status 1A and hope that I can stay at Status II until an organ becomes available. Hang in there and your time will certainly come! Our thoughts are with you.

~rob

[karen cicconetti]

Good luck and my prayers are with you . The wait is truly the hardest part. Keep up the wonderful attitude, and God bless.



Karen

[Lisa Salberg]

It is good to hear from you! I am thankful that you are here to post and let us all see your wonderful attitude!! You are in my thoughts and prayers!!

Love,
Lisa

[Stuart Schwartz]

Beverly,

Just want you to know that you are in my prayers. I only hope that the phone rings before you even get to read this.

[most of all I just want to be a wife and Mom again]

I don't know that I'll ever forget reading this.

We all pray and know you will be that "Wife and Mom again".

Stuart










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[Toogoofy317]

Thinking about you and hoping that soon your request will be answered. I can't wait til I can get my life back!

Mary S.

[AliBear]

Great new that your home and doing so well. I pray your new heart comes real soon so that you can get started on that life you are so looking forward to. That positive outlook your working with is just the attitude you want when heading into surgery. Good luck and thanks for the update!!
Ali

[Laoshur]

Beverly,

I pray that this wait will soon be over and you and your family will have more reasons to rejoice than you ever dreamed of.

Rhoda

[jmurray]

Beverly,

We're all pulling for you and hope that you get your gift of life very soon. I hope you can keep your positive attitude until your heart is available. Keep us updated - we all care and want to make sure you are doing well.

Best wishes,

John

[Pam Alexson]

Beverly ,

Your strength and endurance during this trying time is an inspiration. You described your feelings so well and gave an image of what life is like while waiting. I think many of us have wondered what the trials and the obstacles of daily living are like for a pre-transplant individual. You were able to do this well and at the same time show that you hold onto hope and have your future positive life in sight . Thank you for sharing your progress through recent issues with us. I am glad to hear you are more stable now and hope and pray you soon hear the phone and someone is telling you that your new heart is waiting for you.

Pam