Jen Sieck- Liver Transplant

In September 2020 Jen was diagnosed with Budd-Chiari Syndrome. An extremely rare disease in which the hepatic and other veins become occluded due to blood clots. It essentially starts putting pressure on other organs to work overtime, especially the liver.

 

Jen started to become very sick at home, to the point all she wanted to do was sleep and became lethargic. After the emergency room visit on our anniversary, they found several blood clots, one almost fully blocking the hepatic vein. She was admitted and wheeled up to a room. Due to Covid, Jen was admitted and I wasn’t allowed to go up with her. This was the hardest day of my life and I’m sure hers as well. We both were scared. I haven’t told her this but when I walked out of the hospital I cried in the parking lot for what seemed like hours. I felt helpless that I just left my wife who was scared to death in the hospital by herself.

 

They diagnosed her with Budd Chiari Syndrome and sent her home on injections and multiple medications. After she was discharged, she would be admitted in West Des Moines less than two months later. After a few weeks of tests, biopsy, and other invasive tests, the hospitals GI team told us there wasn’t anything they could do for her in Des Moines. She was transferred over to Iowa City via ambulance, where she had an entire team of specialists take over.

 

One of the more difficult situations was due to Covid, I was only able to see Jen for 2 hours a day. I drove to Iowa City every day to be there for her.

 

I’ve never been more scared in my entire life. She continued to get worse, not better. One day I arrived and she had very little recognition who I even was. All I could do was sit there with her.

 

I’ve seen her go through a lot! From failed bed side Paracentesis to several tests and procedures, and finally an invasive surgery. She was always positive and strong for our son Jace and I!

 

Her team of doctors ultimately suggested she have a shunt placed within her liver to relieve the stress and keep her alive while we wait for a liver transplant. The shunt could last for a year or 15 years but it’s not a life long solution.

 

The shunt is doing the job it is meant to do, but unfortunately Jen is not getting better. She remains stable and on several medications and follow up visits to ensure she remains stable.

 

On Tuesday, February 1st Jen went to bed early, as she is often still tired. I had unknown calls coming through that happened to be the transplant team and the surgeon, Dr. Hemming on the phone. They told us they had a liver for Jen. Jen and I discussed the situation with the transplant surgeon and why this liver was perfect for her. We felt confident her team wouldn’t suggest something they didn’t see succeeding. We had 20 minutes to make the decision and was told to get to University of Iowa City Hospital as soon as possible.

 

We packed up as quickly as we could and tried to explain to our son, Jace, what was going on as we took him to Jen’s parents. Jen just kept saying she was so scared and she was very emotional, as was I and our families but this was a good thing!

 

Once again I had to drop her off at the door due to Covid. She had to check in by herself. At 1:00 am she let me know she was checked in and tests were underway.

 

She told us they took 11 vials of blood, Covid test, EKG, Chest x-Ray, among other tests until about 4:00 am. Less the an hour later the surgeon came in to tell her the disappointing news that due to her Covid test coming back positive and some build up in her chest they weren’t able to do the transplant.

 

I can’t imagine how devastating that news was for her to hear, especially alone. I know it broke my heart and felt like someone was playing a sick joke on us. It’s not been easy for her to comprehend why this happened but we believe it wasn’t the right time for some reason and the lord would continue to look over Jen.

 

Now that we know how quickly this can all happen I know finances are a worry of mine as well as Jens. How were we going to make this all work with the invasive expensive surgery, the long recovery, possibly no second income. It was one of many fears so we are asking from the bottom of our heart’s anything you can do to help us so when the time comes, hopefully soon, this isn’t as big of a weight on our minds.