This is a significant week for Cassidy, so we are humbly asking for prayer.

Here are some updates:

• Cassidy had developed pneumonia over the course of her stay and has had labored breathing, thankfully, it was identified and treated. She has finished the last of her antibiotics.
• To reduce the number of pokes (they draw labs every day, sometimes more), Cassidy received a PICC line that runs directly into her artery. It was a necessary procedure and thankfully, it is working.
• The doctors are constantly battling her sodium and potassium levels. They feel like they have the right balance of medications to keep her healthy.
• She is a tough cookie and tries to do daily PT, which includes riding a stationary bike for 20 minutes, squats, breathing exercises and other motion drills. It is a good thing she is an athlete and can push herself. The stronger she is prior to the transplant the easier the recovery.
• Due to her liver inflammation, she has a difficult time eating and keeping her calorie count. The Ronald McDonald House has been a blessing, so we are able to cook her local favorites, like spam musubi, butter cabbage and fried rice.

Please pray for:

• Comfort for her persistent rash from either the pneumonia or an adverse reaction to medication, relief from her bloating and that she may keep her calories.
• Discernment by the doctors to determine if Cassidy will have a minor procedure to draw the liquid out of her stomach to provide her relief. The bloating is a result from the liver damage which contributes to her low sodium count. The procedure has some short term benefit, but could also result in infection and the liquid will probably return to her stomach because of her condition. 
• The right liver to present. A potential living donor is flying up to Stanford this week to be evaluated by the living donor team to determine if the candidate has the right liver for Cassidy and that the donor will be healthy because of the procedure. The living donor is a back-up plan if no deceased liver presents.
• A higher liver evaluation score. The higher she moves up on the list, the quicker she can receive a transplant. Each week (maybe every other week), the surgical team must make a case to a national board and the board then makes a recommendation. This increases Cassidy’s chance of receiving a deceased liver for transplant.

Thank you for your continuous support and prayers. Here’s a pic of Cassidy listening to her own heart.