Angela’s Story

Site created on March 27, 2020

**NEED YOUR HELP - MY PERSONAL HEALTH CRISIS**


Friends,


I have been dealing with a major health issue for the better part of 9 months now & against my comfort level, I decided to share this diagnosis with all of you. If nothing more than for support, help, encouragement, prayers and the sheer power of strength in numbers. 

Sadly, I have been diagnosed with end-stage liver failure. Which means my liver, due to several contributing health factors, is no longer working as it should.  This also means that I need a liver transplant in order to survive.

I’m currently under the care of NYU Langone’s Liver Transplant Team. After 9 months of bloodwork, blown veins, CT scans, MRIs, stress tests, endoscopies, paracentesis, cancer clearances (all benign), Hepatologists, Nephrologists, Oncologists, Gynecologists, Hematologists, Gastroenterologists, Rheumatologists, Cardiologists, to name a few.  I was finally presented before the Board at NYU 3/27/20 & got onto the Transplant Waitlist! Should all go well, there is still a very long wait for a liver to become available & I am experiencing many painful symptoms that are gradually worsening including weekly paracentesis and now elevated kidney numbers. This new development is now causing concern that I may need a kidney transplant in combination with the liver transplant, but for now we watch & wait. 

I am also able to be on three Transplant waitlists at once but my medical evaluation at Nebraska Medical Center next week has been cancelled due to COVID and I’m trying to get to UPMC in Pittsburgh for the third evaluation once it is safe to travel.

So, now I turn to you.  The other option, aside from receiving a liver from a deceased donor, is a Living Donor.  There are many criteria to be met by anyone interested ie: firstly they must be my exact blood type B- or O, the Universal donor.  The NYU Liver Transplant Institute has a helpful information shared below.


Please SHARE this post with your friends, family, school organizations, churches, etc for maximum exposure.  Any interest could help!
 

NYU Living Donor info @ (212) 263-3621 or email:  NYUTRLivingDonor@nyumc.org


https://nyulangone.org/locations/nyu-langone-transplant-institute/liver-transplantation

Additional Resources:  https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/about-transplant/faqs/#liver-faq
 
Thank you! Angela xo





Newest Update

May 20, 2020

Journal entry by Angela DeVito Sanchez —

Hi Everyone:
                  
Update: Given the COVID-19 restrictions, I have been re-activated and am currently active on the Transplant List until an organ becomes available.

In the interim, one of the side effects is ascities (or a build up of fluid in the abdominal cavity).  I go each week to have the fluid drained through a long needle used to puncture through my abdomen into the cavity.  The discomfort and quantity of fluid has steadily increased and is now causing elevated numbers in my kidneys.  Kidney failure on top of liver failure is not something I can comprehend at this point.  So in an effort to relieve some of these side effects, NYU has expedited me for a TIPS procedure.

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt:
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is an artificial channel within the liver that establishes communication between the inflow portal vein and the outflow hepatic vein. It is used to treat portal hypertension which frequently leads to intestinal bleeding, life-threatening esophageal bleeding and the buildup of fluid within the abdomen.

This is scheduled for Wed 5/27 next week.  I will be admitted to NYU and monitored in ICU for 1-2 days.  As with any surgery, this comes with it's risks but those I understand & am willing to take.

Please keep me in your prayers and hope that all goes well at pre-surgical testing on Saturday to have this surgery.

Thank you xoxo Angela
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