Vera's Transplant [Archive] - Page 2

Birgitta-A

Fri Mar 5, 2010, 05:40 AM

Dear Heather,
Thank you very much for keeping us informed about Vera - we all hope she will recover soon. I understand that you have had a hard time with GVHD and it is good to hear from you again.
Kind regards
Birgitta-A

Laura

Fri Mar 5, 2010, 09:21 PM

Oh this is such upsetting news. Please keep us updated on Vera and how she is doing. I wish her all the best. It goes to show no matter how far out you are from transplant you can still have a hell of a time of it.

Laura

squirrellypoo

Sat Mar 6, 2010, 06:59 AM

If anyone can fight this, Vera can! I believe in you, girl!

launch

Wed Mar 10, 2010, 05:52 PM

I emailed a "Group" of Vera's Friends, and the lastest update I received was from an email dated yesterday (3/09/10).

".....Vera is off the ventilator (yeah! – it was a source of agitation and very uncomfortable for her). The Doctors do not know what caused the lung problem. Vera is still in ICU. Dennis does not know when she will be returning home. The bottom line is that she is doing much better, but still has a lot of healing to do before she returns home..."

Just wanted to update all of Vera's Friends & Prayer Warriors so we can help "Lift Her" to a speedy recovery.....

Cindy

Laura

Thu Mar 11, 2010, 05:03 AM

Thank God!!! Go Vera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zoe's Life

Thu Mar 11, 2010, 08:55 PM

Yeah!!! I am glad for the good news.

Zoe

launch

Thu Mar 11, 2010, 09:47 PM

Then, I got an email from Vera's husband, Dennis, today, who said Vera was still on the ventilator, but, resting comfortably..... confusing right now.... all I can say is... Keep Vera and her family in her prayers .... she needs her prayers warriors right now!!!!

Cindy

Laura

Sat Mar 13, 2010, 03:46 AM

Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted. Laura

Neil Cuadra

Mon Mar 15, 2010, 03:14 PM

Yesterday's update from Dennis:Vera is still in ICU. She is resting and on a ventilator via a trach tube to assist her breathing. This is a waiting game at this point. A few days ago she was able to respond to questions. Seems she is improving.

Laura

Mon Mar 15, 2010, 03:18 PM

Neil did she get GVHD in the lungs or an infection? What caused this to occur?

Laura

Neil Cuadra

Mon Mar 15, 2010, 04:00 PM

Neil did she get GVHD in the lungs or an infection? What caused this to occur?

Laura
We didn't hear the details. I have assumed it was an opportunistic lung infection.

We'll continue to listen for news and root for Vera's full recovery.

Laura

Mon Mar 15, 2010, 04:33 PM

Okay thanks, please keep us posted.
Laura

Beryl

Mon Mar 15, 2010, 10:15 PM

squirrellypoo

Tue Mar 16, 2010, 07:28 AM

Thanks for the updates. I'm thinking about you loads, Vera!

tserdogan

Tue Mar 16, 2010, 10:05 AM

i believe everything is changing to normal way.Come on Vera.

Jill2008

Tue Mar 16, 2010, 01:44 PM

Your in my thoughts and prayers Vera!
Jill

flowerlady

Tue Mar 16, 2010, 09:15 PM

Neil Cuadra

Fri Mar 19, 2010, 03:21 PM

From Dennis:
Vera has been in ICU at UCSF for 21 days with a lung infection. We had a meeting with the doctors yesterday and they do not think that she will get better. I will try to keep you all posted as I am able. Vera's nephew and brother are with me. Pray for her.
We hope the doctors are wrong. As patients andcaregivers we know how hard this must be for Vera's family and we hope they can take strength from each other and from their many friends, including Vera's online friends.

squirrellypoo

Fri Mar 19, 2010, 05:02 PM

I don't think the fight is up yet, Vera can be a tough cookie when she wants to be.... We're all behind you, Vera.

PH Steele

Sun Mar 21, 2010, 10:55 AM

Yes, this upsets me very much. Everything seemed to be going so well for Vera just such a short time ago. I do not understand how things could change so quickly. Vera is in my prayers and her family as they support her through this time. Anyone who has information please post.

PH Steele

Sun Mar 21, 2010, 10:57 AM

Vera,

Keep the faith...you have so many people that love you and are sending you their support. We are tough, we are fighters, rest and let your body heal. Looking forward to hearing from you again very soon!. We have plans to make! Sending you and Dennis huge hugs.

Flowerlady, I have followed you through Vera. I hope that you are better and stronger. I know you have had a tough time.

PH Steele

Tue Mar 23, 2010, 10:35 PM

It is with much sadness that I have to tell you that our Beautiful Vera passed away today at 5:00 p.m. Dennis, Walter, Aaron and Chris were by her side when she opened her eyes to say "Good-bye" to them. She was not in any pain and suffers no more. She will be missed very much by all of us. My heart is filled with sadness because I'll miss her very much....... My love will be with her forever!

Dennis will be sending out another email to let all of you know when the celebration of her life will be. She will be cremated with a service and celebration to follow.

love to all - Vera's cousin, georgie
I received this e-mail today. It makes my heart very heavy.

launch

Tue Mar 23, 2010, 11:10 PM

I received this same email this evening... and it broke my heart... Vera was doing so well... and she was "Hope" to so many people.... My prayers go out to her husband, Dennis and their family.... They've all been through so much.

"Deeply Saddened..."
Cindy

Birgitta-A

Wed Mar 24, 2010, 05:24 AM

I was deeply saddened when I learned about Vera's passing. She was a source of inspiration to all of us.
Kind regards
Birgitta-A

squirrellypoo

Wed Mar 24, 2010, 09:44 AM

I am so, so sorry to hear of her passing. Vera was such a source of hope and support for so many people here, and she's been so strong in fighting everything that life and this disease has thrown at her. I hope now that she has finally achieved the peace that has eluded her for so long.

Goodbye, Vera. You will be sorely missed.

Ruth Cuadra

Wed Mar 24, 2010, 03:00 PM

On behalf of Marrowforums, I want to extend condolences to Vera's family and to all of those people on this site who took Vera into their hearts as she struggled to overcome her MDS. She will be remembered here as a fighter who was always willing to share the details of her experiences and offer support to others facing similar battles. This long thread of posts, which began on June 9, 2009, contains 125 posts that were viewed over 5,500 times! Vera's contribution to Marrowforums will be a valuable resource to new patients and caregivers who arrive looking for information and support.

With sympathy,
Ruth Cuadra

Laura

Wed Mar 24, 2010, 06:32 PM

I am so saddened by this news. Vera was such an amazing person so full of life. She fought hard and had such a positive attitude. She will be missed dearly. At least she suffers no more.

Laura

Zoe's Life

Wed Mar 24, 2010, 09:46 PM

I am sorry to hear this sad news. May the presense of God be felt by Vera's family.

Zoe

Gloria J

Thu Mar 25, 2010, 12:13 AM

May Vera rest in peace.
May Vera's husband and her family be strengthened by their treasured memories of better times and happier days with Vera.
May we all be heartened by the strong example of her fight for good health.

Gloria

Jill2008

Fri Mar 26, 2010, 04:11 PM

Lamilu

Sun Mar 28, 2010, 11:06 AM

Such sad sad news. May God bless Vera's spirit and keep her family strong through this trying time.

Prayers going out,

Susanne

Beryl

Sun Mar 28, 2010, 06:38 PM

I read Vera's posts eagerly and drew strength from her positive attitude and recovery. I'm grateful for her posts and optimism. My best wishes to her family and prayers for us all.
Beryl

tserdogan

Mon Mar 29, 2010, 03:41 AM

She is hero for me and mini summer transplant team.She always optimistic and give me positive thougts.Now i understand everythig change easily.One month ago everywhere may full of sunshine,now full of stormy and sadness.
i want to extend condolences to Vera's family and lovers...

PH Steele

Thu Apr 1, 2010, 07:10 PM

Hi Everyone,

Dennis here, I wanted to first say thank you so much for all of the support and well wishes from you all. It has made a very difficult time a little easier to handle knowing that I have such wonderful supporting friends. Thank you.

We are going to have a Celebration of Vera's life in April 11th at 2pm.

There will be a small service and eulogy with music and a slideshow. This will be followed by cocktails and h'osterviors.

Please come and help us celebrate the beautiful person my wife Vera was.

If you wish to send flowers, please send them to be delivered that day. Or there will be a foundation set up in Vera’s name with the Best Friends Animal Society as well as the Lymphoma Society. Another email will be sent out with regards to this.

Thank you again, and I look forward to seeing you.

Dennis
The above came to me by e-mail concerning Vera's service from her husband, Dennis. I still am in shock over Vera's passing. I still cannot quite believe it. She seemed so full of life and doing so well. Does anyone understand how things could have changed so quickly for Vera?

Neil Cuadra

Thu Apr 1, 2010, 07:52 PM

If any of you want to attend the Celebration for Vera and need the location, directions, or contact information, or if you want to know where to send flowers, please send me a private message and I'll send you back the details.

Neil Cuadra

Fri Apr 2, 2010, 05:39 PM

There are two memorial funds in Vera's name:
Best Friends Animal Society (http://www.bestfriends.org/)
5001 Angel Canyon Road
Kanab UT 84741-5000
General information: 435-644-2001
Donation information: donations@bestfriends.org
Donations can be made by phone (435-644-2001 ext. 4801), using an online form (https://www.bestfriends.org/donate/give.cfm?tc=WDGENA), or by mail to the address above.

If you use the online donation form, specify "Memorial for Vera" in the comments field so they will know to acknowledge the gift to Vera's family.

* * * * *

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org): Greater Sacramento Area Chapter
2143 Hurley Way, Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95825-3299
Donations can be made by phone (916-929-4720 or 800-410-8170) or by mail to the address above.

Hopeful

Sun Apr 11, 2010, 07:25 PM

I attended Vera's Celebration of Life today. It was a beautiful ceremony and was filled with the many people whose life Vera had touched. I talked to Dennis about the large group of on-line friends who Vera has influenced with her strength and positive spirit.

Dennis shared some more information on the circumstances surrounding Vera's death, that I know Vera would want to share...

Vera contracted pneumonia from an unknown source. Three days later, she was hospitalized. Her immune system was fighting it, but unfortunately, the GVHD also kicked in. It couldn't differentiate the good cells from the bad and started to attack over 60% of her healthy lungs.

Please be careful all post-transplant people!

PH Steele

Sun Apr 11, 2010, 10:47 PM

I had faith that Vera was going to pull through this. To read this news is so disheartening. I am to procede with a transplant in 6-7 weeks and now all I can think about is leaving my family behind...much too soon!
My prayers go out to Vera and her family.
Jill

Jill, do not be discouraged. Vera would definitely NOT want you to be. She was always so positive and upbeat. Hang in there. My young friend (age 21) who had his transplant in June is doing great. He goes to school, is in ROTC, and works! That is maybe too much, but he is determined to have his life. You will do great. Keep us informed about what is going on with you.