First received Tuesday, December 3, 2024
For the S. family in Carlisle, Pennsylvania whose daughter made her transition.
Update Friday, January 17, 2025
The family is still in the process of grieving their daughter and sibling.
First received Saturday, July 13, 2024
For Verena B. in Olten, Switzerland with a chronic disease, and for her husband, Jonas...[January 13] Verena has become confused and desperate.
Update Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Verena has been diagnosed with giant cell arteritis.
First received Tuesday, May 21, 2024
For Michael C. of Fairfield, Iowa who is in the hospital in Iowa City and paralyzed on his right side after knee surgery, and for his wife, Jane...[May 26] Michael has recovered somewhat from the paralysis. He has been transferred to intensive care with a blood clot in his right lung...[June 4] Michael can move his arms and legs and can say yes or no in response to questions. He was in surgery today to remove plaque from an artery.
Update Monday, January 13, 2025
Michael is walking with a walker. He can swallow and eat a little food, and he can talk in short sentences.
First received Wednesday, December 4, 2024
For Brandly M. in Fairhope, Alabama who will have extensive back surgery on Monday... [December 18] Brandly had a four-hour surgery. Rods were attached to four lumbar vertebra to give stability and to alleviate painful pressure on her nerves. She is in good spirits and will return home this afternoon....[December 24] Brandly has more pain, numbness in her legs, and emotional stress....[December 28] Brandly was admitted to a hospital late Thursday afternoon to manage her pain. The doctors suspect inflammation is causing it. After a CT scan, no additional surgery is expected...[December 31] Now there have been some difficulties finding a rehab center. Support also for her family as they navigate through this challenge...[January 5, 2025] Brandly will move from a hospital into a rehab facility tomorrow. Her pain has reduced and her medications have been modified making her feel more like herself. Today she walked five feet without her walker with her PT at her side. Her balance and legs are weak, but her enthusiasm is strong.
Update Friday, January 11, 2025
Brandly continues to get stronger with physical therapy. The next step is to modify pain medications.
First received Monday, May 27, 2024
For Hella, a cat in Trimbach, Switzerland with bone cancer and a severe obstruction; and for her caretakers Monika and Peter...[May 29] The vet was able to remove the obstruction. Hella is recovering at home.
Update Friday, January 11, 2025
Hella is very weak. She is still alive to have a gentle transition.
First received Tuesday, January 7, 2025
For Kristen R. and all others in southern California who are evacuating out of the path of the Pacific Palisades fire.
Update Friday, January 10, 2025
Kristen's home was destroyed in the fires. She is grateful that she escaped unharmed.
First received Tuesday, December 10, 2024
For Rita K. in Wirtheim, Germany who has started chemotherapy for lymphatic cancer...[December 30] Rita is having a lot of side effects from the chemotherapy, including low blood pressure and problems with circulation.
Update Friday, January 10, 2025
Rita's circulation and blood pressure have improved. Her sight has worsened. She is confident and feels supported.
First received Saturday, November 23, 2024
For Walter F. in Diessen, Bayern, Germany who will have a catheter exam on his heart on Wednesday...[November 28] Walter received two new stents. He looks and feels well and his blood pressure is stable. In January he will have the same procedure done...
[January 7] Walter recovered very well from the stents. Tomorrow he will have another stent surgery, which he is anxious about.
Update Friday, January 10, 2025
Walter is home again with two new stents and feeling well. In three months he will have another catheter with one stent.
First received Monday, December 16, 2024
For Carlos M. in Eckersdorf, Germany who is being treated in a clinic as an inpatient, and for his wife Margot who visits him every day.
Update Tuesday, January 7, 2025
After six weeks, Carlos was released from the clinic. Continued support is requested for him and his caretakers, especially Margot.
First received Monday, April 29, 2024
For Elisabeth K. in Berlin, Germany with a sudden onset of Meniere's disease... [August 4] After some weeks of feeling healthy, Elisabeth had another serious bout of Meniere's disease last week. She needs a lot of rest and
wants to stay at home right now; she is cutting work to two hours a day... [September 3] Elisabeth is slightly better and will be able to see a specialized doctor on Thursday...[September 17] The new doctor helped a lot with
an additional medication and a positive outlook...[October 21] A lump was discovered during an exam for bowel inflamation and surgery is scheduled for Wednesday...[November 5] The surgery went very well. The doctors say the cancerous lump has been removed, but cancer cells may still be there. Elisabeth will decide what further treatment she wants to take...[December 6] Elisabeth decided on medication and a supervision of her bowels and blood twice a year.
Update Monday, January 6, 2025
Elisabeth is in the healing process. Her blood test results still need to improve.
First received Tuesday, July 23, 2024
For John H. in Southampton, United Kingdom with a blood clot in his brain and a loss of peripheral vision in his right eye, and for his family especially his wife, Jane.
Update Monday, January 6 2025
John had a recent fall, but his doctors ruled out another stroke. Support for John and his wife and caregiver Jane as they ponder their future travel plans.
First received Wednesday, September 11, 2024
For Wael and his family in Gundelsheim, Germany who need another place to stay after their rental home was damaged...[December 4] The family's resources are tight, and they are still looking for a home to rent.
Update Sunday, January 5, 2025
The family found a house they would like to rent. However, their current host is creating additional obstacles.
First received Tuesday, November 5, 2024
For Kiyoshi in Berlin, Germany with a hernia who will see a doctor tomorrow...[December 3] Kiyoshi has gone to the hospital for preparations. His surgery will be on Thursday.
Update Sunday, January 5, 2025
The surgery went well. The wound is still healing. Now the blood test showed that the prostate cancer was not removed completely. Kiyoshi is looking for a hospital for treating the returning cancer.
First received Wednesday, December 4, 2024
For Brandly M. in Fairhope, Alabama who will have extensive back surgery on Monday... [December 18] Brandly had a four-hour surgery. Rods were attached to four lumbar vertebra to give stability and to alleviate painful pressure on her nerves. She is in good spirits and will return home this afternoon....[December 24] Brandly has more pain, numbness in her legs, and emotional stress....[December 28] Brandly was admitted to a hospital late Thursday afternoon to manage her pain. The doctors suspect inflammation is causing it. After a CT scan, no additional surgery is expected...[December 31] Now there have been some difficulties finding a rehab center. Support also for her family as they navigate through this challenge.
Update Sunday, January 5, 2025
Brandly will move from a hospital into a rehab facility tomorrow. Her pain has reduced and her medications have been modified making her feel more like herself. Today she walked five feet without her walker with her PT at her side. Her balance and legs are weak, but her enthusiasm is strong.
First received Thursday, October 31, 2024
For Evie M. in Plymouth, United Kingdom who is in the hospital with severe anorexia, and for her parents and siblings.
Update Thursday, January 2, 2025
Evie is now back at home with her family in Bristol. Her parents are caring for her, and she has improved a little.
First received Tuesday, November 29, 2022
For Laura S. in Parker, Colorado with mobility challenges....[January 10, 2023] Laura has started physical therapy again at home. She has been able to sit up for over ten minutes several times. The pain in her legs and feet prevents her from standing yet. She is taking new medication for the neuropathy and soft tissue damage and for diabetes. Continued support for her standing and walking....[February 21] Laura has progressed to being able to sit at the edge of the bed for twenty-plus minutes several times a week. She is not able to stand yet.... Continued support for regaining the strength to stand and walk. She is doing a lot to maintain a positive attitude through this very long recovery....[January 16, 2024] Laura cannot sit up without help or stand on her own. She has been keeping up with her exercise program and her strength has increased. She and her medical team are exploring the option of a live-in rehab facility. For now her PT is coming twice a week after a hiatus in December when Laura had coronavirus. She lost some strength then and has regained most of it. Continued support for her to be able to stand and walk soon.
Update Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Laura has made progress with a new physical therapist who began in June. She is now able to sit and stand at a walker and take a few steps. Continued support in her process of gaining upper body strength and progressing to sitting, standing and walking independently.
First received Monday, December 2, 2024
For Ron M. in Schererville, Indiana with critical cataract surgery on his right eye on Tuesday morning.
Update Tuesday, December 31, 2024
The surgery went very well. Ron has a follow-up appointment with an eye specialist on January 24.
First received Friday, December 20, 2024
For Hailee B. in Louisville, Kentucky who was in a car accident and is on life support.
Update Saturday, December 28, 2024
Hailee is recovering quickly. She is being transferred to inpatient rehabilitation for one week before being discharged home.
First received Sunday, December 8, 2024
For Padma L. in Sydney, Australia who has back problems.
Update Friday, December 27, 2024
Padma has gone into the hospital for surgery.
First received Thursday, August 29, 2024
For Egbert H. in Germany who has had a headache and a problem with his left eye for several days.... [September 4] The result of a blood test shows Egbert has Lyme disease. The headache is still there... [December 20]
Egbert's headache continues. The doctors are doing more tests.
Update Sunday, December 22, 2024
The doctor noticed that the result of the Lyme Disease test is the same as in 2020. There was no reinfection in 2024. The doctors are still searching for the cause of the headache.
First received Tuesday, July 30, 2024
For Tom S. in Huntsville, Alabama as he begins chemotherapy for advanced cancer, and for his family and medical team.
Update Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Tom is struggling emotionally and physically as he deals with advanced prostate cancer.
First received Saturday, December 7, 2024
For Rachel L.F. in Freudenstadt, Germany who has pneumonia.
Update Monday, December 16, 2024
Rachel is feeling much better and is active again after two weeks in bed.
First received Tuesday, August 13, 2024
For ninety-six-year-old Shirley J. in Blaine, Minnesota who is hospitalized with severe anemia and low blood pressure...[August 16] Shirley will be released from the hospital today. She will be in comfort care at an assisted living facility. She continues to be very weak after being treated for anemia and a stomach ulcer. She is unable to walk. Support for her and her family as they help her adjust to her limitations. She was previously able to walk, play piano, and enjoy activities with her family...[September 2] Shirley is having memory issues and is only able to enjoy company for short periods of time. She tires very easily and breathing is difficult for her at times.... [September 29] Shirley is slowly losing strength and sleeping more. It takes time for her to wake up and recognize people. She continues to eat some meals and enjoys family visiting and bringing her favorite foods for lunch twice a week. She is able to stay awake for several hours for these happy times...[December 1] Shirley is now in hospice care and receiving medications for pain management...[December 6] Shirley is sleeping more and eating and drinking very little. She still knows her family when they visit or call...[December 10] Hospice has advised that Shirley will likely make her transition within the next two weeks. She is able to speak with family for short periods of time...[December 14] Shirley is nearing her transition. All family members were with her yesterday and she still knows everyone. She has moments of clarity and confusion. She is often asleep.
Update Monday, December 16, 2024
Shirley made her transition this morning. Support also for her family and friends.
First received Sunday, October 2, 2022
For Judy G. in Pennsylvania who is being treated for liver cancer...[January 30] Judy's cancer has been reduced and the liver has regenerated. However, her body is retaining fluids in her midsection and no treatment has helped so far...[February 25] Judy will regularly have the abdominal fluids drained. She also lives in Florida and likes her medical team there. She is choosing to remain in Florida as long as she can....[May 10] Judy is feeling much better. Her doctor has taken her off salt which has reduced the abdominal fluids...[November 8] Judy continues to have excessive abdominal fluid removed weekly...[December 21] Judy's organs are damaged from the cancer and radiation treatment and her cognition is affected. Her husband Ed continues to take care of her...[March 11, 2023] Judy has had fewer symptoms. She is walking daily and is in good spirits.
Update Monday, December 16, 2024
Judi has continued to have fluids removed from her abdomen weekly for the past two years. She needs several days to regain her strength after this procedure.