First received Monday, December 27, 2021
For Heather H. in Stevenage, United Kingdom who is recovering from emergency surgery on her right leg following a fall.
Update Friday, January 21, 2022
Heather is doing well and is now back home in London. Recovery is ongoing with pain management and slowly learning to walk unaided.
First received Tuesday, January 18, 2022
For Finn, a young rescue horse in Lyerly, Georgia who collapsed while being transported in a trailer.
Update Wednesday, January 19, 2022
"Finn is amazing everyone with his improving health, spirit and alertness. His caretakers are very encouraged."
First received Sunday, May 23, 2021
For Susannah and Elizabeth C., conjoined twins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who are waiting for separation surgery until their heart, breathing and eating issues improve....[July 26] Doctors are encouraged that successful surgery can take place in the near future. The challenge is to understand the developmental changes in their conjoined digestive system...[August 21] The twins are gaining weight. They are scheduled for tissue expansion surgery on September 8. This surgery is the first of multiple medical procedures in the separation process. Susannah and Elizabeth continue to thrive. The family is greatly encouraged... [September 9] The medical team said the tissue expansion surgery went extremely well. The twins will be in intensive care as their incisions heal. The main concerns are pain management and possible breathing problems. The medical team will also be watching to make sure the expanders don't shift and the skin is not compromised. If all continues to go well, the next surgery will be in three months... [September 17] The complicated areas that the girls share [the liver, pancreas, and small intestines] were discussed by all the medical professionals on the team of care for the twins. It was decided that if all continues well a tentative date of December 10 be set for their separation surgery. The family was told that the twins have a very good chance of being normally functioning independent baby girls. Support for the continuing process with the tissue
expanders...[November 20] The conjoined twins are growing and and thriving. They are now able to sit up and are responding well to the process with skin extenders. The medical staff is very optimistic about their upcoming separation surgery scheduled for December 10...[December 14] Surgery on December 10 went well. The twins are separated and making progress. Medications, pain management and respiratory issues are the main concerns as their bodies adjust to the surgery. New goals are to stabilize, diminish swelling and avoid incision infection so that extubation can take place safely. Support also for the reconstructed connections to work well...[December 15] Susannah now has a fever and her breathing is unstable. The process for both babies is hour-to-hour as they continue to have challenges after their separation surgery. Support also for their parents...[December 17] Today Susannah has had no fever and her skin is looking better. The adjustments to her pain medications are giving her much needed ease. Elizabeth is weaning off medications and respiratory support. Their parents got to hold each baby individually today, the first time in their almost eight months of life...[December 20] Elizabeth was extubated today and is doing fairly well without the tube. A respiratory virus is the cause of Susannah’s fever. The medical team is not too concerned about it since she is doing well from a respiratory standpoint. Other health factors for her continue to improve. The hope is that Susannah too will be extubated in the next few days.
Update Saturday, January 15, 2022
The twins were able to see each other for the first time since being surgically separated. Both girls are making steady progress. Sedation medication has ended and feeding tubes are being eliminated. Elizabeth will need surgery to repair a hole in her heart, though no date has been set.
First received Friday, December 3, 2021
For Sam M. in Fairhope, Alabama with an upper respiratory illness, fatigue and a sinus infection...[January 5] Sam continues to have respiratory issues. He will have another test today for coronavirus.
Update Friday, January 14, 2022
Sam tested negative for coronavirus. His respiratory condition has improved.
First received Saturday, January 1, 2022
For M.K. in Gundelsheim, Germany who has a virus and ear pain.
Update Thursday, January 13, 2022
The left ear is healing quite well. The right ear is inflamed, has a hole in the eardrum, and needs antibiotics.
First received Tuesday, January 11, 2022
For Marjorie P. in Stevensville, Newfoundland, Canada who tested positive for coronavirus; and for her daughter Liddy who was exposed and will be tested tomorrow.
Update Thursday, January 13, 2022
Liddy has tested positive for coronavirus.
First received Wednesday, December 29, 2021
For Richard K. in Mansfield, Ohio who is in the hospital on a ventilator with coronavirus.
Update Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Richard made his transition on January 8.
First received Tuesday, December 14, 2021
For Hans E.F. in Freudenstadt, Germany whose head is being examined in the hospital for a possible tumor...[December 17] Hans is being transferred to University Hospital Tubingen and will have surgery on Tuesday...[December 21] Hans is recovering from the surgery.....[December 31] Hans is now recovering at home. He has already taken a walk in his neighborhood. He will begin radiation therapy on January 7.
Update Monday, January 10, 2022
The radiation treatment has been postponed to the end of January or later. His doctors are satified with his recovery at home.
First received Saturday, November 6, 2021
For Jennifer and Phil B. in Montana who are cancer survivors and concerned about new diagnoses...[December 3] Phil does not have cancer. He had a cyst on his pancreas. He is seeing a pulmonary doctor today for acute bronchitis. Jennifer did have a few spots of melanoma from sun damage. The spots were treated topically.
Update Sunday, January 9, 2022
Phil contracted coronavirus. He is a cancer survivor with only one kidney and severe pulmonary problems, so is in a critical situation.
First received Thursday, December 23, 2021
For Ruth T. in St. George, Utah who hasn’t felt well for months and just learned her kidneys may be failing.
Update Thursday, January 6, 2022
Ruth and her son must now find a new place to live while Ruth continues to look for kidney treatment.
First received Saturday, January 1, 2022
For Wendy W. in Boardman, Ohio with pain and dizziness after her back surgery was cancelled.
Update Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Wendy had a epidural which is bleeding into the spinal canal. She is also receiving pain medication.
First received Thursday, November 11, 2021
For Leta S.-M. in Windsor, Canada who will be a surrogate for Monique and Brandon B. and will have the embryo transfered tomorrow...[November 25] Tomorrow morning Leta has a follow-up appointment to determine if the embryo transfer was successful...[November 27] Leta’s pregnancy has been confirmed. She will be closely monitored for twelve weeks...[December 19]
Leta is having an eight-week ultrasound to assess the status of the IVF transfer embryo...[December 29] The ultrasound showed that the fetus is about the size of a raspberry and is doing well.
Update Monday, January 3, 2022
Leta has been diagnosed with coronavirus and is not doing well.
First received Friday, April 16, 2021
For Shari F. in Belle River, Ontario, Canada who has been diagnosed with breast cancer; and for her husband, Matt, who lost three fingers on his dominant hand in an accident... [April 21] Shari was to have surgery to remove
cancerous lumps in her breast today, but the surgeon found more lumps while exploring and was unable to continue... [May 13] A mastectomy is now scheduled for May 13...[November 17] Shari’s bone cancer bone scans show no new tumors.
Update Monday, January 3, 2022
Shari and her family have coronavirus which may interfere with her chemotherapy treatments.
First received Friday, December 10, 2021
For Nola, a five-year-old dog in Phoenix, Arizona who has an infection, and for his caretakers, Hayes and Colleen...[December 14] Nola is still very ill. He had exploratory surgery, but the vet had no answers as to the cause of the infection...[December 16] The vet reported that Nola finally ate an entire bowl on her own.
Update Monday, January 3, 2022
Nola has relapsed and is not able to keep food down.
First received Thursday, December 9, 2021
For Raelyn and family in Waterford, Michigan who have been dealing with coronavirus for a month.
Update Saturday, January 1, 2022
Raelyn and her family have recovered.
First received Friday, December 17, 2021
For Amanda S. in Aurora, Colorado with a sprained ankle.
Update Saturday, January 1, 2022
Amanda is able to walk on the ankle. Her leg and muscles are very bruised.
First received Wednesday, December 29, 2021
For Ingrid B.-K. in Frutillar, Chile with pain from a bladder infection.
Update Saturday, January 1, 2022
Ingrid has been diagnosed with inflammation in her kidney and pelvic area. Antibiotics and pain medication have been prescribed.
First received Tuesday, December 21, 2021
For Tara in Montana who has coronavirus and is on a ventilator; and for her newborn son Stetson and husband Levi.
Update Friday, December 24, 2021
Tara is off the ventilator and has been released to go home. She needs to rebuild her strength and endurance.
First received Saturday, May 29, 2021
For Jean B. in Woolston, United Kingdom who has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which has spread to other areas...[June 19] Jean's recent PET scan showed a good response to chemotherapy. The lymph nodes are smaller, and smaller bits of lymphoma affecting two organs are not visible. Her doctor recommends she have two more cycles of this treatment.
Update Monday, December 20, 2021
Jean made her transition. Continued support is requested for her husband, family, and friends.