Liver for LuLu: Patience is a Virtue

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Patience is a Virtue

"Roxy and Lulu"

I had always considered myself a patient person.

Then I was pregnant and had to wait 9 whole months to meet him...patience Liz.

Then I had that baby and realized I had a lot to learn.

Then I was pregnant again...had to wait 9 more months to meet her....

Then I had that second baby...thought that was real hard- to have 2, learned to be more patient.

Then my baby got sick...many Doctor visits, blood draws-heart ache, wondering, more patience. Hospital stays...patience. Waiting for results...a lot of patience.

Found out I wasn't a match for donation...patience...wait for it, wait for it...

Found out yesterday- James is not a match....patience Liz.

Found out this morning my dear sister Cydnee, not a match...she is so sad too. Patience.

Think about having to wait on UNOS, don't want to go there. It would be a very long wait. I don't want to be "waiting" for a baby to die, morbid thought for a mother.

I still have hope. Lulu has an uncle that is in the screening process. He's been chomping at the bit...what amazing families we belong to.

London luckily has another aunt and uncle that have initiated the process and a few close friends that are more than willing-so we're not out of options, yet. But as you can see the "right" liver is hard to find...I will try to continue to have patience.

If you don't know exactly what your liver does for you...do me a favor and please look to the sidebar. Appreciate your liver. Appreciate everything in your body that works correctly. It is such a miracle to be healthy.

6 comments:

Amy Martinsen said...: Beautiful Liz, I have not seen you in years. But, When I heard about your beautiful daughter I cried! I can only imagine the pain, and frustration. I have two of my own and I thank Heavenly Father everyday for them. You are an amazing and a really strong beautiful person and MOTHER which little Lula is so blessed to have. I read your blog and saw your pictures. You have the most amazing FAMILY AND FRIENDS you could ever ask for. That is really neat that you have so much support. If there is anything I can do please let me know. I will try to make it to the fundraiser. There would nothing that would make me happier to help you and your beautiful family. I know your busy but, I would love to go to lunch one day. You, Chantell, Kathryn and I. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. My prayers are with you!! Love, Amy Martinsen Call me if you need anything 801-244-8186; November 24, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Margaça said...: Patience is something I also had to learn with Martim´s disease, I understand your feelings. I know it´s not easy to deal with... I´m sorry you are still waiting for the perfect liver for Lulu, but once you´ll find it, you will see the diference it will make to Lulu. You will have a new Lulu!!! And that will compensate all the patience in the world.

Don´t lose your faith, someone will have the perfect match to Lulu!!!

With Love,

Alice ( Martim´s mum); November 24, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Julia said...: Kisses, sis.; November 24, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Sarah said...: Patience is the hardest part about this entire process. Before and after transplant. It's been a long road for you, something I know nothing about, but it's a long road post transplant. Something I am becoming all too familiar with. My daughter was 14 months when she received a liver transplant in January of this year. Unlike LuLu, she had no underlying issues/disease that effected her liver. Her liver simply failed and the doctor's never determined why. I happened to find this site through a friend's facebook page. We did lots of fundraisers for Mackenzie so if you ever need some ideas or just want to talk / swap stories please feel free to contact us.; November 24, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Ben and Natalie said...: I don't really know what to say.... I am bawling right now and I know you are such a strong person & I would hope that I would be as strong as you are in this situation. Again, I don't know what to say. You are a wonderful mother (very patient) and just an amazing person. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do. Also, I was wondering if you would send me a quick email so that I can have your email address. I know you are a busy woman/mom but my email address is: jakey0610@yahoo.com

You have wonderful people surrounding you & please know that Little LuLu is in our prayers as well as you & the rest of your family.; November 24, 2009 at 6:54 PM
me said...: i am so sorry liz. your stronger than many of us could ever hope to be. keep doing what youre doing and it will work out.praying for you~; November 24, 2009 at 7:55 PM

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Welcome to liverforlulu.blogspot

Meet beautiful, brave, tough-as-nails London (aka "LuLu"). She's been fighting Alpha 1 Anitrypsin Deficiency since birth. It's a genetic disease that causes liver disease and sometimes lung disease later in life. She received a new, clean, healthy, pink, perfect, beautiful liver January 15th 2010 thanks to the generocity of a family willing to donate their childs organs to give life to others. She is LuLu's Angel. We thank every person who takes the time to look at LuLu's blog. I am so happy that many now know what Alpha-1 is. I am grateful that some may change their veiws on organ donation because of London's life that she's been living with such dignity, strength and grace. Feel free to email me, elizabethbarnum(at)hotmail(dot)com with questions or comments.

What is Alpha-1?

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a condition that is passed from parents to their children through their genes.This condition may result in serious lung and/or liver disease at various ages in life. For each trait a person inherits, there are usually two genes and one gene comes from each parent. People with Alpha-1 have received two defective alpha-1 antitrypsin genes. One defective gene came from their mother and one from their father.There are many types of defective alpha-1 antitrypsin genes. The most common abnormal genes are called S and Z. Normal genes are called M. A person who does not have Alpha-1 will have two M genes (MM). People identified with Alpha-1 most commonly have two Z genes (ZZ). Current evidence suggests that there are about 100,000 people with Alpha-1 (ZZ) in the United States. Another deficient gene combination is SZ, although people with this gene combination are less likely to get lung or liver problems than those with two Z genes. (lulu is ZZ)

Alpha-1 occurs when there is a lack of a protein in the blood called alpha-1 antitrypsin or AAT that is produced by the liver. The main function of AAT is to protect the lungs from inflammation caused by infection and inhaled irritants such as tobacco smoke. The low level of AAT in the blood occurs because the AAT is abnormal and cannot be released from the liver at the normal rate. This leads to a build up of abnormal AAT in the liver that can cause liver disease and a decrease of AAT in the blood that can lead to lung disease.

The most common signs and symptoms of disease caused by Alpha-1 are: Shortness of breath, wheezing, chronic cough and sputum (phlegm) production (chronic bronchitis) reacurring chest colds, eyes and skin turning yellow (jaundice), swelling of the abdomen (ascites) or legs, vomiting blood (from enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach) decreased exercise tolerance, non-responsive asthma or year-round allergies, unexplained liver problems or elevated liver enzymes and bronchiectasis.

Alpha-1 has been identified in virtually all populations and ethnic groups. It is estimated that about 1 in every 2,500 Americans have Alpha-1. Individuals with Alpha-1 may remain healthy throughout their lives. Early diagnosis and avoidance of risk factors such as cigarette smoking, can help prevent Alpha-1 from causing disease. An estimated 20 million people have one normal and one defective AAT gene. People with one normal gene and one defective gene (for example MZ) are called “carriers”. (james and liz) Carriers may pass the defective gene on to their children. Alpha-1 can lead to lung destruction and is often misdiagnosed as asthma or smoking-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Alpha-1 can’t be diagnosed by symptoms or by a medical examination; you need to get a blood test to know for sure. Alpha-1 is the most common known risk factor for emphysema and COPD. About 3% of all people diagnosed with COPD may have undetected Alpha-1. Alpha-1 can lead to liver disease. The most serious liver diseases are cirrhosis and liver cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO), American Thoracic Society (ATS), and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) recommend that all individuals with COPD be tested for Alpha-1.

What does YOUR liver do for you?

How important is the liver?
The liver is a vital organ. Without it we would not be able to live. Apart from the brain, it is the most complex organ in the body. It has a wide range of functions and acts very much like a factory. One of its most amazing features is its regenerative power. Some 9/10ths of the liver can be cut away and provided the remaining 1/10th is healthy, the liver will grow back to its original size.

The liver is a processor
The food that we eat passes into the stomach via the esophagus (gullet). The food is broken down by the action of the stomach and the small intestine. The nutrients from the food are then absorbed into the blood via the vessels in the walls of the intestines. These drain to veins which lead into the portal vein which carries the blood into the liver. The nutrients are processed in many different ways in the liver. This processing of the food is known as metabolism. The final products made are used by the body for energy and growth.

The liver is a manufacturer
The liver produces a number of different substances which are vital in order for healthy growth and development. For example: 1. The liver cells produce substances which assist with the clotting of the blood, e.g.Prothrombin. 2. The liver cells make proteins which are carried in the blood. These have many functions. Albumin, for example, helps to control the distribution of fluid in all parts of the body and transports many substances to and from the liver and kidneys to other parts of the body.

The liver is a storage depot
The liver stores energy in the form of glycogen (sugar). It also stores a number of other substances, e.g. copper, iron and vitamins.

The liver is a controller
The liver plays an important part in controlling: 1. The correct level of many hormones within the body. 2. The blood sugar (glucose) levels. The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen when there is too much glucose in the blood and releases it when the blood sugar level falls. 3. The amount of fluid the body retains and its distribution throughout the body. 4. The concentration of cholesterol which it converts into bile salts. 5. The action of many drugs

The liver is a filter
The liver removes many unwanted substances from the body. It plays an important role in controlling the harmful effects of some drugs and products of metabolism by changing them chemically before excreting them into the bile. Bilirubin (unconjugated or indirect) is produced when old red blood cells break down. The average life of a healthy red blood cell is 120 days. This bilirubin is carried in the blood stream, attached to albuimin, to the liver where it is altered into a different form (conjugated or direct bilirubin) which is then: 1. Excreted in the bile. 2. Transferred into the bile which passes via the bile ducts into the intestine and appears as brown pigment in the stool. Bile is continuously produced by the liver cells mainly by the action of bile salts. It collects in and passes out through the network of bile ducts into the intestine. Bile salts play an important role in the digestion of fats.

The liver is a defender
The liver plays an important role in fighting many types of infection. In particular, protects the body against infection which arises in the gut. With so many different and complex functions, it is not surprising that more than 100 types of liver diseases have been identified in babies and children.

Liver for LuLu

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Patience is a Virtue

6 comments:

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