This is Her Story: {Kellie}

Hey girls! Today's "This is Her Story" is a bit more serious, but I felt completely compelled to share this incredible and important story with all of you out there. Kellie came to me a few weeks ago when I asked for "This is Her Story" entries. After reading her email, I knew this is one story that had to be told.

I hope you are all as moved by precious Kellie's post below as much as I was. Without further adieu, here's my girl, Kellie:
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A million Thank You’s to Leslie for being gracious enough to share the stories of these fabulous and inspiring women. While I’m new to her blog, Leslie’s heart is so visibly in the right place-she is truly a gem. For her kindness and generosity, I am very thankful.

When I first read about Leslie’s new feature, “This is Her Story”, I felt an immediate pull to share my mom’s story. My mom, Laurie, is not only my best friend, but also one of the 72,000+ people in the United States actively waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.

My mom was ill through much of my childhood, suffering from what at the time was somewhat of a mysterious illness. There were many hospital stays (especially during stressful times in life, like Christmas), lots of testing-just a lot of confusion about what was going on with her health. She was finally diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in the mid 1990’s, and for a short time, was able to improve her quality of life through medication and diet.


Kellie (right) and her mom Laurie, baking up a storm in the kitchen



Several years after the Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis, we learned that despite a 2:1 male to female predilection, and only a 5% chance of occuring, that my mom was also suffering from an autoimmune disease (a predecessor of Ulcerative Colitis), called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. This was a much more dire diagnosis, as the only long-term treatment is liver transplantation.

For the past five years or so, I’ve watched my mom’s health steadily decline. She suffers from an array of life-altering side effects directly related to PSC ; most prevalent are jaundice, severe itching, painful abdominal swelling, pancreatitis and chronic fatigue. Though she is on a reduced work schedule, she must continue working despite her advanced liver failure to make ends meet financially.

Through all of this, my mom’s spirit and heart have persevered in a way that amazes everyone around her. Despite never feeling well, and a future that is unknown, she is able to continue smiling and laughing, providing emotional support to my sisters, dad and I. At a time when we should all be lifting her up as much as we can, she continues to be the heart and rock in our family.

Laurie (second from left) and Kellie (far right) pause for a pic with family members.



With certain factors of her disease, the reality of my mom ever making it to the top of the waiting list for the full liver we so desperately need is at best grim. Her team of transplant doctors at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) has advised that we begin the search for a live donor. Given the damage a failing organ and PSC can cause, we must act as quickly as possible. Waiting too long would increase the likelihood of different cancers and the possibility of missing the window for transplantation.

We are asking that anyone who is between 18 and 55, O+ or O- in blood type and who is open to the thought of live donation to contact us to begin the screening process. The search for a viable donor is incredibly challenging, but we feel confident that someone will step forward and save our family.

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If anyone out there feels compelled to learn more about the screening process for donors or just to offer an encouraging word or prayers to Kellie and her family, you can email today's author at kellie.koppes@gmail.com.

Be blessed, lovelies-