Friends of Kaley Conway: Blessed

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Blessed

I must say this was a very blessed Christmas for me! I was able to spend it at home with my mom and dad which was priceless. Even though it was not our traditional celebration, I know my parents and I will always remember it! God has been so good and I know He has an incredible plan! Please continue prayers of healing, anti-rejection, and continuing good reports. Speaking of reports, I went to clinic (at hospital where I do labs, meet with specialists, etc) this morning and I've lost 9 more lbs since last Thursday. Usually I would be ecstatic at this news but I've lost all my muscle and strength so I have to build that back to have the best recovery results and try to avoid set backs. So, per doctor's orders I am to eat as many calories as possible. I'm allowed to eat anything and everything and as much of it as possible! I have to say it is the first time in my life that I've ever been told to pack on the lbs! But if I don't gain weight by Thursday then I have to get a feeding tube through my nose. Once in the hospital was enough to last a lifetime! So, please pray that my appetite increases and I can gain some weight on my own!

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Contribution Information and Background

If you wish to make a financial contribution towards Kaley's recovery online, please utilize the PayPal DONATE button below. If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to Kaley Conway and email friendsofkaleyconway@gmail.com for the mailing address.

*Calls, texts and emails are all welcome. People may visit for short periods of time in very small numbers. Since Kaley's immune system is so weak and will continue to be, please do not visit if you have been, feel, think you might be or have ANY symptoms of being sick.

A very condensed version of Kaley's story:

On Monday, November 21st, Kaley was rushed to the emergency room at Dallas Presbyterian Hospital where her medical team found her to be in acute liver and kidney failure with her right lung partially deflated. Arrangements were quickly made to transport her by ambulance to St. Paul’s/UT Southwestern ICU. Upon admission to the ICU, a team of specialists determined that she would need a liver transplant in order to survive and that the liver would have to become available on an emergent basis. They began the task of getting her body healthy enough to be placed on the national liver transplant list. During this time, the medical team confirmed her diagnosis to be medication-induced liver failure, caused by Augmentin, a common antibiotic prescribed for strep throat. The next couple of days included a multitude of critical procedures, including continuous kidney dialysis, pulmonary treatments for her lungs, and stabilizing an acute infection in the kidneys and lungs. Kaley was placed on the national liver transplant recipient list on Thanksgiving day. She entered the list at the top, meaning most critical. In less than 24 hours after being listed, they received a telephone call from the UTSW Transplant Coordinator that they had located a liver, which was a perfect match and in great condition. On Saturday, November 26th, at 8:17 a.m., Kaley was taken to the operating room to receive her new liver. The surgery took 11 hours, and the medical team determined that they would preform a 2nd look-see procedure 2 days later. At the completion of the first surgery, they loosely closed her and took her to the ICU. On Tuesday, November 29th, Kaley had her 2nd and final surgery which took about 3 hours.