Not a good news day I'm afraid

[maureenreynolds]

Our 40~ friend who had the heart transplant May 22, and has never awakened has just been pronounced 'vegetative state.' It's what many of us presumed but didn't want to believe. If there's life, there's hope. However, her husband has been presented with the options.

Just before dinner, we got the latest update on Bekah. Again,

from the friend who posts for them "Some sad news to report....Michael is not a match. I was able to visit Bekah today and she was in good spirits The next step is to begin immunosuppresive therapy. They are waiting for Richard to arrive because they must receive consent from both parents. Hopefully, they will begin treatment this afternoon or the beginning of the day tomorrow. She will definitely be in the hospital for the next four days as they wait to see how her body responds to the drugs and to watch for any allergic reactions. The doctor did say the next three months will be a "rollercoaster", but best outcome would be that this treatment would do the job and three months will be the most she has to endure. The worst case would be a full year of treatment and at the end of that year they will begin looking for an unrelated donor. Many prayers are needed now for strength, Bekah's fever to remain under control, no allergic reaction to the drugs and success of this treatment."

There is a lovely picture of Bekah on the July 14th post. CaringBridge / prayersforbekah / Welcome

We're drained, and we aren't immediate family. I cannot fathom how Sharlah and Rich feel, as well as my friend Gloria's spouse. I wish them and all of you peace. Maureen

[justmp]

Terrible news! Prayers for you and those you love who are going through such difficult times.

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I'm so sorry to hear this news. I hope Bekah can remain in good spirits and battle her way through this difficult time. Praying they find a match for her. Also praying for your friends.

[dugarner]

Maureen,

So sorry to hear about this double-whammy. How discouraging that Michael is not a match. I went through this with my aunt, as she desperately tried to find donors within the family who were matches. She finally did find an unrelated donor---so while difficult, it is certainly not impossible! Perhaps that can be an encouragement to you.

Children are so resilient and strong, even though this is exhausting for her and her parents, children fight harder than almost anyone else. They are so full of life and are loath to let any of it go.

Take care, get some rest. Praying for you all!

[nativescrapper]

Sorry to hear this. Prayers are going out to you and your friends(family).

[THAT-GIRL]

That is just heart braking news Maureen... you have a beautiful "Caring Bridge" website... if just "VISUALS" could help... we'll hope for better news from you soon...

[oldvwblues]

The Caring Bridge page is wonderful! Am so sad by the news but hopeful that things will turn around. Hope she *and family cope with the treatment..that when the time comes a donor will be found. Kids are tougher than we give them credit for..they are pretty amazing really! God bless them all! My thoughts and prayers are with your friend through this difficult time. Will continue to keep the faith that Bekah will win this battle and pull through this with and life will return to normal for everyone. We all care!

[earlofoxford]

So sorry to hear both of these pieces of news, Maureen. Lifting up prayers for your family and your friends.

[Blesus]

So sorry to hear this news. Many prayers are being said here.

[deanie]

So sorry Maureen to hear the bad news of the day. I'll continue to pray for Bekah, her parents and your friend's husband.

[whatnext]

the trials for the little one, and for your friend, certainly put things into perspective. God be with them both.

[susiecw]

Maureen, praying for your beautiful granddaugher Bekeh. Very trying and heart breaking time in your life right now and I'm sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. Susie

[Kayleigh]

Gosh Maureen I don't even know what to say. I can tell you that I will think some good thoughts for each of them & their family/friends as well.

[echogirl]

Maureen, I'm so very sorry that this is happening. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I hope that a donor comes through quickly for your beautiful Bekah.

[anke]

that is awful Maureen, I will keep both families in my prayers!

[maureenreynolds]

Thank you all so much. I'm going up to Hopkins today with two other women to talk to our friend Gloria. We don't know if she hears or not but it's getting to be time we tell her if she's going to wake up, it should be soon.

Bekah is amazingly in good spirits. If you don't know to fear, or pick it up from others, you don't I think. If a sibling isn't a good bone marrow match, then it needs to be a non-blood relative. I already have one friend here who has volunteered to be tested which is amazing, isn't it? (btw, I'm not asking just noting!!) I've realized this is one thing "I" can do rather than my dh who is an actual blood relative. We extra Nannies have a purpose I didn't realize!

I had a good night's sleep and I think my dh is coming to grips with it all having talked again to his equally introverted son.

Again, thanks so much for the prayers. If the miracle isn't visible in the 'sick' person, it certainly is visible in those of us who learn a bit more compassion and love for others. <-- I speak for myself. xoxo Maureen

[jonipossin]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your friend! God will take care of her and make her whole again!

My prayers continue to be with Bekah and your family! Remember how much our Lord loves little children! Put your worries in his hands!
Joni

[Vanilla Scraps]

my thoughts are with you and your family in these tough days. hopefully bekah will respond positively to the next lot of treatment and that they find a donor soon. x

[donitab]

Prayers out to all

[kathie02]

so sorry to hear this maureen, I will continue to keep your friend and Bekah in my prayers.

[jazzmatazz]

Prayers going up for Bekah and her family as well as for Gloria's family. Such difficult times for all concerned. Praying for wisdom for the doctors and families alike. Please keep us posted, Maureen. Hugs to you as well!

[maureenreynolds]

Thank you all.
The news has not been getting better tho with Gloria it's at least getting clearer. She will be moved to a hospice type home where the feeding tube will be turned off. This wish was very clear from her Advance Directive and has given her family some measure of understanding that this is what she wants. (She has been a nurse @Hopkins for quite some time so there is no confusion as to whether she understood what she wrote.) Once she is moved, we believe it will be less than 4 days till she dies. Now the only wait is for her parents to come for a final visit if they choose.

Bekah's situation grows worse. There is a new, much more experienced Dr. who has come onto the team, and he stopped the drug treatment before it started last night. He said that while she certainly has the aplastic anemia, he believes there is something else working as an background issue and he wants more tests.

Rich and Sharlah are so down from that news, and are back in a wait wait state. Bekah for once is not her chipper self, and whether it is just from the fever or the atmosphere around her, no one is sure. It's hard for everyone to keep their spirits up when the news is not what anyone wants to hear.

I keep creating things digitally to keep my mind and hands occupied. Ice cream is helping too. gratefullly, Maureen

[dugarner]

Maureen,

So, so sorry to hear about Gloria. How sad. I don't know if I would have the courage to write desires like that, though if she is comatose, maybe the end will be peaceful and without any pain. Hospices are such a blessing---my grandfather passed away under their care and it could not have been more comfortable or peaceful, with his hospice nurse (with whom he had a very special relationship---she was his verbal sparring partner through his last months) and his wife each holding one of his hands.

I'm sorry to hear about Bekah too. The doctor sounds aggressive and focused, I only hope that if he has a hunch about the other things he can find out about them quickly.

Keep busy, but rest, too! Take care of yourself. My husband claims that the universe would come to a grinding halt and implode on itself if anyone could ever manage to eat ice cream and be sad at the same time.

((Hugs))

[katie pertiet]

I'm so sorry to hear about the latest news Maureen. My heart goes out to you.

[oldvwblues]

It's good that Gloria made her wishes known and that her family is respecting those wishes. It doesn't make it any easier to say good bye but hopefully it will be peaceful and bring peace to all her loved ones. I will continue to pray for Bekah and her parents, and you and your husband..God bless you.