Rhonda Brown, Liver Transplant Survivor

To know Rhonda Brown would be considered an honour for everyone. She is the sweetest, most self-less person I have ever met, and I'm luckier than the average person, as I have the blessing of calling her "mom". My mom is my best friend and closest ally. Rhonda is an incredible friend, daughter, sister, mother, nana, auntie, niece, cousin and life-partner.

To say the last 2 weeks have been the hardest two weeks our family has experienced would be an understatement. What started as a nonchalant checkup turned into a life-threatening organ transplant within days.

On Oct 24th my mom was admitted into the Brantford General Hospital with mild jaundice; yellowing of the eyes, mild exhaustion and a general unwell feeling. After running multiple tests, and my moms condition worsening, she was transferred to University Hospital in London.

The team at the London hospital were incredible upon her arrival, running her through the hospital to get through all the testing that they required. Within hours, they deemed that Rhonda would not improve on her own, and with her condition worsening by the day, they declared that a full liver transplant would be the only thing that could save her. While she was scared of what that would entail, she was strong and prepared for what was to come.

Within 5 days of her arrival, her team received 6 liver donor offers, 5 of which were not viable due to size, health, etc. Just when we were getting worried about how long it was going to take for the perfect donation, we received word that the team had received the best and most viable donation for her. It was go time, and her team was ready.

On Tuesday Nov 7th at 1:30am, my mom's liver transplant began. Awaiting the call for the duration of the 7-8 hour procedure was incredibly nerve raking, but at exactly 8:30am I received the call that my mom was stable. She is truly the strongest, bravest person I have ever known. She is continuing to remain stable and she is now awake and alert. We can't wait to have her home again.

The hardest part of our journey has ended, but the hardships are not yet completed. Rhonda will remain on multiple medications for the rest of her life, to ensure her body never rejects her new organ. Once she is discharged from the transplant unit at the hospital, she is not able to return home immediately. She will be living in London for a few weeks after discharge, close to the hospital, to be able to attend her multiple checkup and physiotherapy appointments, 3 times a week. She will be unable to stay alone, so close family members will be taking turns with assisting with her care and being off work.

During Rhonda's sickness, our family received multiple offers for assistance with food, mental health talks, and even offers to donate parts of their own livers' to save her. While those offers were incredible, we were not in a position to accept them. What we are now asking our family and friends for is a small donation to assist with the hotel/food expenses that will be incurred after Rhonda is discharged from the hospital. We know that it's a big ask with the current economy, but any assistance will be very greatly appreciated by our entire family.

Rhonda has also been medically taken off work until the end of March, given that no additional complications arise. Any of the funds raised that exceed the necessity of the expenses after discharge, will go strictly to assist with life expenses after she is back home and unable to return to work.