Marcee's Mounting Expenses
Donation protected
In August 2016, Marcee was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and end stage liver disease, or cirrhosis. Alpha-1 is a genetic condition. The alpha-1 genes tell the liver how to make the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein, which the liver sends into the blood so it can protect the lungs and other parts of the body. If someone has two abnormal alpha-1 genes, like Marcee, then the liver makes an abnormal form of the alpha-1 protein. It gets trapped in the liver, which causes scar tissue, and puts her at an increased risk of lung disease.
As of now, her lungs are doing okay, but her liver has been greatly affected. Her main symptoms are fluid in the abdomen, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
In November 2016, Marcee was admitted to UNMC and was able to be put on the liver transplant list. She has had to be admitted several times to the hospital since then, all while still trying to care for her disabled son, Calum, who needs 24/7 care. Her health quickly dissipated, and by the end of January 2017, Marcee was admitted to UNMC with pneumonia because her body had filled with so much fluid that it had nowhere else to go but into her lungs. She quickly became very sick. She had to be put on constant dialysis to remove over 30 lbs of fluid from her body, a ventilator because she was too weak to breathe or swallow, and a chest tube to drain fluid from her chest cavity to relieve the pressure on her lungs.
Finally on March 7th, we got the call that they had found a donor, and March 8th she was able to receive the gift of life and had her liver transplant. It has now been 2 weeks since her transplant, and she is still at UNMC. Since she was so sick before the surgery, she has had to stay in the hospital a bit longer than most transplant recipients, but the goal is to have her released this week. Her biggest struggle right now is being able to eat and bear weight on her limbs. When she is discharged, she will need to go to a rehabilitative center to receive intense physical therapy to regain her strength and mobility. It will be several months before she gets back to “normal.” She will have to take great precautions so she does not get sick and will have to take anti-rejection medicine for the rest of her life.
We are unsure of what all of this will cost and how much insurance will help out. As of now, my parents have had to meet their deductible 3 times in 2 years and have lost wages due to being too ill to work. She will also not be able to return to work for at least the rest of the school year. My dad has also taken off work to care for Calum and for many hospital visits.
Anything will help, and would be greatly appreciated! If you are unable to give financially, please include our family in your prayers! Thanks!
~Liesel (van den Berg) Hoffman
Marcee's children are:
Rory van den Berg - beneficiary in charge of accounts
Liesel Hoffman
Brielle van den Berg
Calum van den Berg
As of now, her lungs are doing okay, but her liver has been greatly affected. Her main symptoms are fluid in the abdomen, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
In November 2016, Marcee was admitted to UNMC and was able to be put on the liver transplant list. She has had to be admitted several times to the hospital since then, all while still trying to care for her disabled son, Calum, who needs 24/7 care. Her health quickly dissipated, and by the end of January 2017, Marcee was admitted to UNMC with pneumonia because her body had filled with so much fluid that it had nowhere else to go but into her lungs. She quickly became very sick. She had to be put on constant dialysis to remove over 30 lbs of fluid from her body, a ventilator because she was too weak to breathe or swallow, and a chest tube to drain fluid from her chest cavity to relieve the pressure on her lungs.
Finally on March 7th, we got the call that they had found a donor, and March 8th she was able to receive the gift of life and had her liver transplant. It has now been 2 weeks since her transplant, and she is still at UNMC. Since she was so sick before the surgery, she has had to stay in the hospital a bit longer than most transplant recipients, but the goal is to have her released this week. Her biggest struggle right now is being able to eat and bear weight on her limbs. When she is discharged, she will need to go to a rehabilitative center to receive intense physical therapy to regain her strength and mobility. It will be several months before she gets back to “normal.” She will have to take great precautions so she does not get sick and will have to take anti-rejection medicine for the rest of her life.
We are unsure of what all of this will cost and how much insurance will help out. As of now, my parents have had to meet their deductible 3 times in 2 years and have lost wages due to being too ill to work. She will also not be able to return to work for at least the rest of the school year. My dad has also taken off work to care for Calum and for many hospital visits.
Anything will help, and would be greatly appreciated! If you are unable to give financially, please include our family in your prayers! Thanks!
~Liesel (van den Berg) Hoffman
Marcee's children are:
Rory van den Berg - beneficiary in charge of accounts
Liesel Hoffman
Brielle van den Berg
Calum van den Berg
Organizer and beneficiary
Carrie Lindau Regier
Organizer
Henderson, NE
Rory van den Berg
Beneficiary