Friends of Kaley Conway: A New Liver...A New Year

Monday, January 2, 2012

A New Liver...A New Year

2011 had its ups and its downs, but it ended with what I consider to be a miracle. The past few months were very fast, scary, and still somewhat of a blur for me. But when I look back, I realize I received an amazing gift. I will be eternally grateful to so many people. I will never be able to completely repay everyone for all of the wonderful things that were said, given and done for me. So, with a new year and a 2nd chance, I want to give back to others in appreciation for all that I have been blessed with. All I can say (though it will never be enough)is THANK YOU!

I hope that 2012 is a wonderful year for everyone and that it brings you happiness and health!

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
-Jeremiah 29:11

2 comments:

Sherrie KulwickiJanuary 2, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Oh Kaley! I did not know about this and I am so thankful to the Lord for saving your life!! What plans He must have for you. Much love to you and your family. Please let me know if you need anything - and I am serious about that!!! Hugs!
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KacyJanuary 3, 2012 at 6:18 PM
Glad to hear you're doing so well. Wish we were closer so I could kick your ass in Smart Ass! :-)
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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.