Kim’s Story

Site created on September 24, 2020

In 1999, Kim was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. After many medications failing to control symptoms, she was placed on Prednisone (a steroid for those of you unfamiliar). For the last 20 years she has been on Prednisone, along with multiple different high dose steroid injections. Previously she had tried Remicaid and Humira. Currently she is getting a Stellara injection every 8 weeks. These steroids help control the Crohn’s Disease. Unfortunately, we found the downside.

Just over a year ago it was discovered that Kim’s liver was shutting down. Did she drink alcohol? Yes. Was it the cause? No. 

Over a length of time, the steroids had been whittling away at her liver. It had reached the point where it no longer functioned the way it should. Because of this, Kim now takes 23 pills a day including medications and vitamins that her body cannot produce on its own. 

After a major episode of Hepatic Encephalopathy (increased ammonia level creating her brain function to drastically decrease) at the end of June, it was decided that she would go live with her daughter Brandi in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. 

The team at CentraCare Health and University of Wisconsin- Madison are working together to save Kim’s life and get her on the liver transplant list. 

Due to Kim needing around the clock care, Brandi has left her position at Walgreens Pharmacy. Medical bills, supply cost, fuel, and daily living are expenses that have all added up. 

Please consider a donation to help Kim toward her goal of a new healthy liver!



Go Fund Me:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/kims-liver-disease-expenses?sharetype=teams&member=5856446&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&rcid=a1a6061a2e68410ca0619d804199b5dd

Newest Update

Journal entry by Brandi Gilbertson-Taylor

Yesterday was a good day. It was my birthday. Mom started moving around and opening her eyes a bit. Unfortunately, it was not consciously. But her lab results were showing some improvement with the kidneys.

Today is not good. I met with the Hospitalist and Nephrologist today. Her MELD score is in the 40s. 2 weeks ago it was a 30. Her liver is basically dead. Her kidneys are now hardly functioning as well. There is an option for dialysis, but it is dangerous for multiple reasons. The first reason being her blood is so thin and isn't clotting the way it should. Another being that she is so immunocompromised, a dialysis port could bring an infection directly into the blood stream. 

I am waiting for the Nephrologist to communicate with the transplant team in Madison. He said this is a very grim situation and she has many things against her. He is hopeful, but it is not looking good.

Please remember when a loved one walks out the door, always say "I love you." It may be the last. I am blessed that the last words before she was placed on a ventilator were "I love you."
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Your $25 donation to CaringBridge will help keep this site online for two weeks. And if you donate by March 28, a generous CaringBridge donor will match your donation, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000.

Make your gift in honor of Kim by midnight on March 28 to be counted!

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