Hitting the Milestones
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The Linn Family
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The Linn Family
Hello friends and family!
It’s been far too long since a while since I've updated everyone on our transplant journey, and I learned yesterday that Valentines Day was National Donor Day so it seemed like an appropriate time for an update! On February 2nd we reached another milestone worth pausing and praising. Hollis is now nine months post–second liver transplant, and I am nine months post–donor surgery. I have prayed on my knees for us to see this day, and my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for how far we’ve come.
There are moments I still can’t believe we’re here and cannot believe all that happened last spring. This season has stretched me in ways I never expected. Even as life becomes more “normal,” the trauma still lingers. Last night I spent the evening fighting those PTSD demons creating worst case scenarios as I tried to mentally prepare for today's scheduled lab draw and liver check up with Hollis’s team. Most days I still find myself stuck in fight or flight, bracing for bad news, as if my body never got the memo that we are safe. Today Hollis’s doctor told me she wished she could say the PTSD will all go away one day, but that she can't. The trauma will always be there, but little by little, healing is happening and I am trying my darndest to move on and let Hollis experience as normal a childhood as possible while also keeping her safe.
I am so thankful to share that since her last admission in June, Hollis has only stayed one night in the hospital, for a stomach bug which they just wanted to monitor her to make sure she could hold her anti-rejection meds down and stay hydrated. Otherwise, Hollis has handled normal winter illnesses like a champ. Her labs, which she is getting much less frequently, have been stable and overall her team is so pleased with her progress. For Christmas this year we were blessed with some very normal labs — the kind that made me ask the nurse if they were actually hers because I couldn’t believe it.
Her liver function remain strong, her kidney function has improved significantly (almost completely normal!!), and she is still holding steady at five medications. The immunosuppressants come with their own challenges and side effects, so her team continues to monitor her closely and make adjustments as needed, but she is doing so well and is a ball of energy. She’s been cleared to play soccer this spring (shes been dying to join a team!) and also get back to swimming in the pool when the weather warms up. We are even able to start a little traveling soon to see family and friends and getting so excited to hit our one year liverversary in May!
Another huge praise is that Hollis is now back to school full time and is loving it! She’s settled right in with her new class and wears a mask inside to stay safe from the dreaded germies. Her sweet little school has truly been a Godsend. The love and support they have shown her has meant more than I can put into words. Her recent “report card” showed scores above benchmark in almost all areas. I cried when I saw it, overwhelmed with emotion remembering a conversation we had back in May about the possibility of her having permanent brain damage from the sustained high levels of ammonia after her first transplant. God is good and grateful is an understatement.
We are continuing to pray specifically that her platelets will keep trending up as her spleen slowly shrinks down to normal size. It’s one of those slow parts of healing that takes time, but we trust progress is happening little by little.
As we celebrate National Donor Day and passing our 9 month mark, our hearts are filled with deep gratitude — to God for His mercy and faithfulness, to the medical teams who cared for us, and to every person who has prayed, supported, and loved our family so well. Thank you for continuing to follow our journey and carry us through. <3
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Sally Elpers
Liz Stutsman
Dougleyste
Lauren Haynes
Lara Isaacson
Karen Stuver
Emily Jones
Karen Blockley
Vicki Machanic
Betsy Linn
Beth Mclean
Meredith Halcomb