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Our story started in September of 2019, when Lori developed a nagging dry cough. After multiple doctor visits, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The cardiologist thought it was strange for a 49 year old, but treated it as such. In April 2020, we requested a second opinion with a different cardiologist, who immediately referred us on to a heart failure specialist in Peoria. The heart failure specialist suspected Cardiac AL Amyloidosis (a rare disease where the bone marrow produces proteins that attach to the heart, causing it to harden and lose function). Cardiac AL Amyloidosis is fatal if not treated. October 26-29, 2020, Lori was admitted to St. Francis Hospital in Peoria for a heart biopsy, bone marrow biopsy, and to implant a defibrillator/pacemaker combo. The pacemaker will not start up unless her heart rate drops below 40bpm. The doctors all agreed this device was a necessary safety net before starting chemotherapy to attack the Amyloidosis. The heart biopsy was sent to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for confirmation of Cardiac AL Amyloidosis. Three weeks later we received confirmation and knew what we were up against. A trip to Mayo Clinic was scheduled for Christmas break. We left and arrived on December 20th. Lori had seven tests conducted on December 21st, which spanned all day. On December 22nd we met with the doctor teams. It was decided Lori would be admitted to the hospital that afternoon, to strengthen her heart by removing built-up liquid in her chest cavity. Lori ended up being in the hospital for eight days. During her hospitalization hospital staff removed 16 pounds of liquid from her chest cavity utilizing diuretics. During that time they also diagnosed two additional diseases. it was discovered that Lori has sarcoidosis in her lungs and heart, as well as thyroid cancer. Due to Covid restrictions I was not allowed to visit or be present within the hospital. Thank goodness for FaceTime. We left Rochester on New Year’s Eve evening, making it home just prior to a nasty ice storm. Since arriving home, Lori has been unable to work as she is resting and trying to build up her strength to prepare for chemotherapy. The next part of the plan is to travel back to Mayo Clinic to begin chemotherapy on the Cardiac AL Amyloidosis and sarcoidosis. The oncologist has determined the thyroid cancer treatment can wait and will be revisited in 3-4 months.
If you have not heard yet, Lori passed away yesterday morning (12/8/21) at Pontiac’s St. James Hospital. She fought an unbelievably strong and courageous fight against her diseases. She was positive to the end, never wavering. I miss her terribly. Alec and Mikayla got home yesterday and Austin and Elisabeth will be home today. I am blessed to be surrounded by incredible family and friends.
I want to thank everyone who took time to embrace our family during this journey. So many have done so much and no matter how big or small, it meant the world to Lori and our family.
The arrangements have been set.
All will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 210 Deerfield Road, Pontiac, IL
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