Autumn's Journey to a New Liver
Since the age of twelve, Autumn has been battling an autoimmune liver disease, Autoimmune Hepatitis. Over time, it has progressed and now she needs a liver transplant to survive. The symptoms began with extreme chronic fatigue and headaches. By the age of 26, flare-ups became more regular and severe. From the time of diagnosis, doctors told her at some point she would need a liver transplant. With a healthy and active lifestyle, Autumn has been able to prolong the transplant need until now. Over the past two years, Autumn’s health has changed drastically, and her quality of life has suffered. It is now imminent that she needs a liver transplant to live.
A note from Autumn…
Dear Friends & Family,
I wanted to say first and foremost, the love, kindness and encouraging words I have received from so many of you have been truly powerful and impactful. They added so much brightness to my day to day and I appreciate all of you so much.
I want to share a glimpse of what a typical week has looked like for me over the last year or so. I’ve always been very energized and charged and truly love working and being busy.
As of lately, I haven’t had the same kind of energy I’ve had in the past. Within two weeks I can easily be in the hospital for visits, labs or transfusions at least two to five times. So with that and all the hospital stays and just the inability to stay healthy long enough, I haven’t been able to work and it has been very challenging for me. This has been a completely new change for me, and something that was not necessarily wanted or welcomed.
Some big changes…
- Doctors want me to rest a lot more. Due to swelling, I must elevate my legs throughout the day a lot.
- Daily, I try to get some stuff done around the house, but some days are easier some days are harder.
- I’ve always loved to work out, and can’t really do it the same anymore, if at all.
- Due to fluid buildup, I constantly experience shortness of breath and fatigue and must take more and more breaks.
- My energy level has decreased which has resulted in a lot of muscle atrophy.
- Due to my kidney issues, I am on a strict low-sodium diet. This has been very hard because I am not allowed to have just any food. Meal prepping is a must, and if not, symptoms will get worse. Going out to eat isn’t really an option for me currently.
- I am required to get lab work weekly.
- I regularly undergo a two-to-five-hour paracentesis and transfusions depending on the day.
- Numerous doctor’s appointments are my new normal. This includes about every three weeks blood transfusions; every two weeks an albumin (or whatever else is needed); countless ultrasounds and bloodwork; daily monitoring and updating doctors weekly (or more if needed).
- In the last year, I have been hospitalized for more than four week-long stays. In addition to many emergency room visits.
- My mom is living with us to help however she can. She and Kyle help keep the house in order and take me to some of my appointments.
- Our dog, Griffey, needs exercise and care which has been getting more difficult for me (and the family) to manage too.
With love and gratitude,
Autumn Grable
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Please find it in your heart to give to Autumn's fund. This will help in countless ways. The fund will be used to assist with the increasing medical bills, expenses to/from medical appointments, expenses to improve quality of life, assistance to maintain her home, and all expenses related to her care and needs during and after her liver transplant when that day comes.
We will continue to post updates on Autumn's journey.
Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
Update from Autumn…
