Some not so great news about Holly...

[Xplantdad]

I just posted this on Facebook...but for those who are here, I will copy and paste here as well...

Well, We've got some news and it's not the best...

We met with the docs at Mayo on Thursday and Holly's kidney function isn't where it needs to be. Her kidneys are functioning not far above the levels where they start thinking about dialysis.

Her function has gotten progressively worse over the past few years, due to the long term effects of the anti-rejection drugs and the 'hits' that she has taken from being dehydrated after surgeries and her kidneys shutting down...which have resulted in scarring.

At this point, the recommendation of the doctors is to get her registered on the transplant list, modify her diet, give her intravenous iron over a period of 5 Saturdays to boost her iron levels (she's anemic) and do a few other things to see if we can improve her kidney function. They will measure the progress or deterioration of these measures in three months...and we'll hope for the best. Even with doing these things, it's pretty much a given that at some point a kidney transplant will have to be done.

We are going to learn what it takes to be a living donor ( our best hope) and what to expect as far as a wait for a cadaveric donation as well.

We have appreciated your prayers and support throughout Holly's life and will continue to have hope that all will work out for the best...By the way, your prayers are still welcome <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[CC Rider]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xplantdad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

We have appreciated your prayers and support throughout Holly's life and will continue to have hope that all will work out for the best...By the way, your prayers are still welcome <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif </div></div>

Of course we'll still be doing this.

[x77-69z28]

You.guys are in my thoughts and prayers

[Plowman]

Holly will be in our prayers too.

[elonblock]

We'll keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

[bbbenny]

Holly, We;re pulling for you. Wish you the best and things will work out! BBBenny <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/HollyRocks.gif

[bergy]

Prayin' for Holly.

[mockingbird812]

<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-size: 20pt">Come on girl, we are all pulling for you!</span></span>

[PxTx]

Keep your chin up Holly and Bruce. Plenty of prayers headed your way and I know it will work out.

[Xplantdad]

Thanks guys...

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pxtx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Keep your chin up Holly and Bruce. Plenty of prayers headed your way and I know it will work out. </div></div>

Well said, x2.

Jake

[Lynn]

Boy Bruce, this really got to me. As you know, my wife just donated a kidney to our 18 hear old last June. I am really hurting for you bud. Hopefully, in some crazy way, the hurt I feel takes some hurt away from you and your family. I know this is tough. We were in the best of hands, with all the confidence possible in the team, but it is still tough. Humor helped us. Zack and I both have twisted sense of humor streaks, and we joked a lot. The team shirnk really loves working with us. He said we usually make his day.

Surgery on Sherri started at 7 am and they finished on Zack at 6 pm. Rooms were about .6 miles apart, so I walked about 20 miles that day, acting as the contact and keeping everyone informed.

Zack only had to do dialysis for 3.5 months before the transplant.

Once Holly has been cleared for transplant, the cad donor thing could happen any time day or night on a moment's notice. Zack was on the list for cad donor, but we chose the live donor because the success rate is better. Had a kidney come available in the interim, we already had decided on the criteria for acceptance, knowing we had the live option. I had planned to donate, but could not. I was devastated, as I really really thought I could do it, and would be able to spare Sherri that ordeal. Plus, Zack is a real momma's boy, and I knew he would really want his mom after surgery.

Surgery was on a Wed. Sherri went home Fri. Zack went home Sunday with a fully functioning new kidney. Sherri's mom (I am blessed with the best MIL in the world) and I took care of them at home during the extended recovery.

They are both doing great. Zack even endured band camp (not the one on American Pie you pervs) in 110 heat in August as long as he had lots of water. Sherri was back doing yard work in 3 or 4 weeks. I am so proud of both of them.

Thoughts and prayers are with you. If you don't still have my number, pm me. You were very supportive 4 years ago when I talked to you about our impending transplant situation. Be glad to return the favor, even if all you need to do is call and unload.

[Lynn]

Not trying to dominate this thread, but just to give you an idea how quickly things can be back to normal, here is a picture of my angel of a wife and my son about 8 weeks post op. Zack was having sr. portraits taken (yeah, back when I was in high school it was Sr. pics, now it is portraits, which is &quot;photo speak&quot; for money). The photographer decided to take one of mother and son. I am glad he did. This one is on my desk at the house.

Keep your chin up Bruce. It will get better.

[John]

Let us all know what is involved if someone wanted to ... and could donate a kidney.

... and we all will keep the prayers coming. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/HollyRocks.gif

[Postsedan]

My prayers are for Holly and the entire Blythe Family. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/HollyRocks.gif

Dan

[enio45]

Bruce - we appreciate the updates and are pulling for Holly and the rest of the family. She is one tough young lady and I'm sure whe will pull thru again!

[69 Post Sedan]

Hoping all goes well with Holly. Everyone is pulling for her.

Kurt

[Charley Lillard]

Crap. I know you guys already know to keep your heads up. We are pulling for her.

[kwhizz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Crap. I know you guys already know to keep your heads up. We are pulling for her. </div></div>


x 1000

[sYc]

Thoughts and prayers from all of the Clary family...

[scuncio]

You guys are in our thoughts....

[ORIGLS6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My prayers are for Holly and the entire Blythe Family. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/HollyRocks.gif

</div></div>

As are ours! Holly obviously knows how to fight. And she knows how to WIN. As in the past Bruce; your family will pull themselves through this. You guys are the best! God Bless you all.

[Tenney]

Best to you guys - show 'em who's boss, kid! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/HollyRocks.gif

[Xplantdad]

Thanks Everyone...it came as a bit of a shock, though I think in the back of my mind I knew it was coming. Lynn, I just may take you up on that call soon...Please PM me your number again. I will try and keep everyone updated. It seems that most of the time now....there aren't enough hours in the day...

Has our family said lately that <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif ?

[SuperNovaSS]

Wow, sorry to hear the new. You can beat this Holly!


Jason

[L-79 Nova]

In my family's prayers as well. Ron....

[bilede]

prayers are coming from our family too Bruce!

[PeteLeathersac]

Prayers sent Bruce.
More to follow!

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/HollyRocks.gif
~ Pete

[COPO PETE]

More best wishes/prayers from north of the border!
We're all pulling for ya Holley!
Peter

[Xplantdad]

Pete...how are YOU doing?

[SS427]

Sorry I missed this on FB Bruce and will try calling you later today after I get home from the shop. Our prayers continue to be with Holly and all of you guys. She will beat this as she has beat all the rest of the issues presented to her. She is an extreme fighter. Prayer's going to Dr. Pete Gimenez as well in his fight.

[Born30YrsLate]

Wishing Holly the best from Wisconsin...

[Bill Pritchard]

Holly will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Hey Bruce...

Wishing Holly, you and your family the best in these troubled times. Take care and keep your chin up. I'm sure things will turn around for you (they have to...good things should happen to good folks like you).

Wayne

[L72copocamaro]

Don't know you guys, but have followed your story. Wishing you only the best!! God Bless...

[BlackCherryLS6]

Good luck and your family will be in our prayers!
Mayo is the best in the world in my opinion. They saved my life a little over 4 years ago with a liver transplant. You are never prepared for it but it helps knowing that they are awesome at organ transplant. It was amazing being on the transplant floor seeing how many liver and kidney transplants they perform.
Stay strong and positive in these tough times.

[Mr. Chevy]

Bruce, I wish your family/Holly the best of luck.. You are in my thoughts and prayers!!

Rich

[Steve Shauger]

Wishing Holly and your family all the best, and know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Just an fyi, but a good friend of mine (who happens to be a DR.) just donated his kidney to another friend, and both fully recovered and are doing very well.

[Xplantdad]

Hi again all...we have another appointment set up for more testing and education. Insurance is getting everything in order ahead of time...

Holly will continue to go to Mayo every Saturday for IV infusions of Iron...for the next month. Then, they will retest her blood.
Rick, thanks for the call....and all that have responded, we are grateful for your prayers and caring <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[markjohnson]

In my thoughts and prayers and I along with everybody else already know that your family believes in the power of positive thinking. I'm also sure Holly realizes that she has a nationwide support group here!

[Ngtflyr]

Just seeing this what a bummer. Wishing Holly the best. If I get a flight into Mayo I will pop in to say hello. Tell Holly hello for me.

[Xplantdad]

Hi Dave...Holly is at home for now. You can still pop by and say hi <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[Shevelle]

So very sorry to hear Holly has to go through this. She's a fighter and I have faith she will soon be looking back on this bump in the road in her rear view mirror. Our thought and prayers are with her as well as you and Lynn.

[bashton]

Indeed, we all know Holly is a fighter and WILL get through this and be better than ever.

Hugs from Michigan to ALL of you!

Bashton
MCACN Managing Member

[Chevy454]

So sorry, Bruce...Holly and y'all will be in our thoughts &amp; prayers.

[Dog427435]

Very sorry to hear this – Holly, wishing you well, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

[ZAPPER68]

Holly, our thoughts and prayers are with you from the Great White North.

[Xplantdad]

Thanks again all. Off to Mayo in about an hour for intravenous iron to build up Holly's blood. This will be a weekend occurrence through Thanksgiving....to hopefully make Holly less anemic.

[x Baldwin Motion]

Bruce, be assured that good thoughts and prayers are headed your way from all over the country from the members of this great site.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif looking forward to Holly's improved health

[Xplantdad]

Thanks Chris....all went well today <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[TXSS]

Bruce, somehow I know Holly is going to be just fine. Hang in there.

[Xplantdad]

Thanks Rick <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[kwhizz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TXSS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bruce, somehow I know Holly is going to be just fine. Hang in there. </div></div>



x 1,000,000,000

[427425]

Lots of prayers and well wishes from our family to yours.

[markinnaples]

May Jesus heal your daughter and comfort you and your family during these difficult times.

[Xplantdad]

Thanks Kevin and Mark <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[JOZW30]

Add our thoughts and prayers to the pile Bruce and Holly!

Joe and Michele

[Xplantdad]

Thanks Joe and Michelle. Great to meet you both!