Natalie Hughes

Most who know me, know that I’m a pretty private person. Although I do use social media for several reasons, I’m not one who posts daily. My wife Natalie Hughes is even more private than I. She uses almost zero social media, and other than an occasional text, barely uses her cell phone. She didn’t ask and she doesn’t know that I’m doing this. I wanted to take a few minutes and update friends and family on a few things going on.

Around Thanksgiving of last year she started having a lot of weird pain in her abdomen. She thought it was a kidney stone. They did a scan and found the following.

Kidney stone in lower right kidney, not currently blocking anything

Liver is highly cirrhotic/cirrhosis

Multiple tumors throughout the liver

Several varices in her esophagus that need repaired soon

5 or more abdominal hernias, one wrapped in a bowel loop, but not currently obstructive

Enlarged spleen

Ascites/ fluid buildup throughout the abdomen, due to liver malfunctioning/not functioning.

On December 30th she was hurting so bad that she asked me to take her to a Columbus hospital ER. I took her that evening and she hasn’t been back home since then. She spent 10 days in the hospital seeing all different specialists, enduring multiple tests and procedures. That same evening, she insisted that I go home and rest. I hated to leave but I did. On my way home I hit a guardrail and totaled my car.

Her liver is working just above 10%. 10% is the minimum function to keep you alive. Ammonia level in the blood, should be 50 units or less. Her levels have consistently been in the 180, 280, 260 and 200 range. One of the liver specialists told her that in her condition, short of a transplant, she may have a year to live. Then they told her she may be too risky even for a transplant. She is taking it well, at least she says so, and outwardly is very positive.

After leaving the hospital she spent several weeks in a Dublin area rehab facility. They worked with her on PT, OT and kept an eye on blood levels etc. Upon release from rehab, she is currently staying in the Columbus area with a family member so she can be close to her specialists and best treatment options. Since December 30th, I’ve been running back and forth between home and Columbus, spending the night with her as much as possible. This has taken a toll on both of us physically, mentally, and financially. Gas money and often eating on the run or at the hospital or other facility while visiting.

Very often, family or friends will ask how they can help. I’m letting you know how you can help. First off and most importantly, I ask prayers from all of you who believe in the power of prayer, and Gods ability to heal her if He so wishes. We pray, His will be done in her life.

Secondly we will occasionally need medical type items others may have that they aren’t using. Example, we needed a wheelchair for those appointments where she has so far to walk and it just wears her out. It was recently provided!

Thirdly, as with anyone in our position, we can surely use any financial help offered from anyone. Even amounts as little as a dollar or five dollars can be a difference maker. I will have a gofundme set up with my name on it. This will be the one and only fundraiser for this purpose, other than donations directly to me or thru PayPal, cashapp, etc.

Please, if there are concerns or questions, please contact me personally. Dean