My Mother’s Story

My mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in November of 2010.  Luckily the cancer was detected early enough that her treatment and recover were relatively low-risk of recurrence.  The surgeon performed a quick lumpectomy, which meant that she did not go through chemotherapy, but she did have to go through radiation treatment.  This allowed my mother to continue working during treatment, which included taking a medication called Tamoxifen to prevent the Breast Cancer from coming back.

Throughout her treatment for breast cancer, she started getting more and more lethargic, making it more and more difficult to stay get through her days at work.

On a routine visit to her primary care physician, she mentioned that she bled a lot when she had a cut.  That prompted the doctor to do some blood tests.  Shortly after the blood tests he forwarded her results to the oncologist to check to see if the Tamoxifen had been causing bleeding.  The oncologist ordered more blood tests and an ultrasound.  The ultrasound showed signs of Cirrhosis of the liver.  The oncologist also referred her to a Gastro Intestinal doctor.

The GI doctor finally diagnosed my mother with Fatty Liver Disease then ordered a biopsy, which confirmed that she had Cirrhosis.  Fatty Liver Disease seemed like an unusual diagnosis, because my mother almost NEVER drank alcohol.  More specifically she was diagnosed with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Cirrhosis of the Liver.  Basically, the worst possible combination on the spectrum of Nonalchoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Stages of NAFLD
Stages of NAFLD

So where did her NAFLD come from?

We don’t know.  It could have been from obesity, a lifetime of eating processed foods with high fructose corn syrup, even from the drug that was designed to save her from breast cancer.  It could also be genetic… but we will get to this later.  All we know is that her state of well being had been severely compromised.  She decided to retire from work, because she could not handle the general lethargy from both recovering from Breast Cancer, and now dealing with a debilitating liver disease.

Unfortunately, her retirement ended up fraught with further health issues.  I have watched as my own mother’s health has eroded extremely quickly in what should have been a nice relaxing outro from the working world.  She ended up on the first name basis with most of the ER staff at the local hospital having to visit the ER nearly 5 times in less than a year.

In April 2013, my parents took a trip to Florida to visit relatives and relax a bit.  Unfortunately, the trip was less relaxing and much more scary, when my mother disappeared in the lobby of the hotel, only to be found 30 minutes later in the gift shop incoherent, shakey, and disoriented.  My father immediately drove her to the Emergency room where the staff initially diagnosed her with a TIA stroke.  After spending the next 3 days in a hospital bed in Florida, the doctors finally attributed the TIA-like symptoms to extremely high levels of ammonia in her blood, which were likely caused by her malfunctioning liver.

In June 2013 my mother spent an entire night awake, vomiting blood, once again caused primarily by her malfunctioning liver.  In one procedure called Paracentesis the GI doctor removed 7.25 Liters (16.5 LBS) of liquid from her abdomen.  This is extremely dangerous, as it dropped her blood pressure to an extremely low level, which could have caused her heart to stop completely.

In August 2013 my mother started feeling discomfort from the scarring from her initial breast surgery and requested that the surgeon go in again to remove the scar tissue.  After the scar tissue had been removed my mother had a hard time healing the new wound.  This inability to heal wounds is one of the many side effects of a severely diseased liver.  It took 6 months to fully heal a wound about the size of a quarter, about an inch deep.

My Mother should be enjoying her retirement, instead she has been resigned to sleeping nearly 12-16 hours a day, unable to stay awake long enough to enjoy a full day-trip.  I have watched her go from being a vibrant, happy mother, to a frail, shell of her former self.   On advice from others, my mother sought a second opinion on her Liver diagnosis, and paid out-of-pocket to visit UCSF’s Hepatology Department for an evaluation.

Her liver was unhealthy enough that we know she needed a new liver, but the process of getting a replacement does not happen over night.  But here is where the story takes another tragic turn.  In order to be listed to receive a transplant, you are required to be 5 years cancer free.  I understand the reason behind that rule: if you have any remaining cancer, then you will most likely die from the cancer before dying before dying from a diseased organ, and receiving a donated organ could cause the cancer to spread to the new organ.

October 30th, 2013, I had one of the first opportunities to visit my mother’s Hepatologist at UCSF, who brought up the possibility of a Live Donor Transplant.  She also mentioned that UCSF had recently relaxed their policy regarding certain types of breast cancer, which my mother qualified.  My mother passed along her breast cancer biopsy results.  After discussion with the head of the transplant unit, it was determined that the chance of the breast cancer coming back was small enough to qualify my mother on the transplant list.

After undergoing a few more rounds of tests with her healthcare provider, my mother was finally deemed eligible for a liver transplant.   After nearly 3 years of suffering, my mother was finally listed on the Northern California deceased liver donor transplant list.

So here’s my chance to give my mother what she gave to me; The gift of Life.

23 thoughts on “My Mother’s Story

  1. Great job Chris! I’m sorry to say I really didn’t know much of the story as Heidi and I hadn’t been in touch for awhile. I’m so glad we were able to reconnect and you have both been in my prayers (yes, I still do that) since she told us about her illness. Thank you for setting up a blog so that we can stay informed. We’ll be thinking of you both and wishing you all the very best. With much love, Kathy

  2. Thanks for everything you are doing, Chris. There’s a lot of love percolating in your blog. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, as well. George and Kay

  3. Thanks for the concise and very interesting story; some of which I already knew and some that was new to me. I only hope for the best for you and Heidi. This has been a long road and I wish you both well. Hopefully, when you are up to it you can give updates along the way.

    Love,

    Lyn

  4. I wish you both the best and a fast recovery. I’m not at all surprised you are doing this, always so caring. Will be thinking of you both. Thanks for sharing your story. Xx

  5. Chris – you are an amazing son, friend, citizen of planet earth! May the gods of good health, positive healing , and easy recovery shine upon you and Heidi!! May June 26th mark the beginning of a new and vibrant life for you both!

    Your selflessness is the greatest message of unconditional love. Of course, you are giving that love back to the beautiful woman who taught you all about love – MOM!

  6. Chris, the bravery you, your mother, and entire family are showing is amazing and we all can learn about love and commitment from all of you. I’m sending you my healing thoughts !

  7. Boy, Glad to see the blog so that everyone can check in on both of you on a regular basis. I will continue to send healing thoughts your way on the day of the transplant and after. I will be thinking of you my hanai Boy and my dear, dear friend Heidikins often. May Aumakua bless you both as you partake in this incredible journey of sharing and giving love to each other. Smooches! xoxo

  8. Always knew you were a “stand-up” guy. Here you are proving it again. What an amazing son you are and what wonderful tribute to your mother. I will be on a plane, but I will think of you and send positive energy your way. Best of luck to you and your mother.

  9. Hero is a word not to be used casually, but you are one. You have always been a loving and devoted son, but this act of love puts you on a higher level. Both Heidi and you Dad swell with pride when your name comes up and now they have one more reason to celebrate you. Love to you and the family as you open this new chapter.

  10. Thanks for setting up this blog. It will be a great way for us to follow what is happening as I know you will all be very busy the next few weeks and we will be anxious to hear how you are both doing. You are so brave and this is a great thing you are doing for your mom! You and Heidi are in our prayers and hoping for speedy recoveries and good health!!!

  11. Chris, it may hVe been since the late ’90s when your marvelous mom and I served on the Board at Saint Mary’s while you and Joe were there. Lovely, buoyant, incredibly capable, she is a pleasure to be with — and you followed in her footsteps. My heart aches for the challenges she has faced. I stand now in awe of the amazing love and generosity you are personifying. And your blog continues that generosity and heart by allowing us to know, pray for, and “be there” with you. Please know that you Nd she will be in our hearts and prayers, and I will add her to the St. Columba Church prayer list — a source of regular miracles. I couldn’t be more proud of you, incredible young man!

  12. We wish you both good results. Thanks for your generosity Christopher. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. If we can do anything, please let us know. Yvonne and Richard Gabor

  13. I am overwhelmed to know tomorrow is the big day! This is a wonderful gift you are giving your Mother. Our friend, Heidi has gone through so much in the past 4 years.
    Steve, Kevan and Wendi will wait together in SF for the recovery stage while friends and family will watch the clock for new information.
    Thoughts and prayers are coming from all over to comfort and hope for a speedy recovery for the both of you.
    Love to Chris and Heidi and the family and friends in SF, Buffalo, Atlanta and Scotland.
    Our wonderful Heidi will be back soon
    happy and healthy and Chris and family will be smiling proudly. I think I hear the applause way out here in Boston.

  14. Just want you to know that all of you are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Wishing a speedy recovery and good health for both of you.

  15. Much love and healing to you and your mother.

    Your dedication and love for her really shows. She is an amazing woman and you tell her story as only a son could.

  16. Lil’ Bro – I am floored! You and Heidi have such Kindness and Generousity of Spirit. I’ve always admired your love and dedication to one another. This is an enormous testimony and confirmation! Much Love to Mother and you! Praying for healing, patience, and perseverance for the entire Parmelee family. Peace & Blessings ~ AW

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