Well, Mallory is feeling a little better, but still not great.  We did find out that her magnesium level is critically low, so we have started back the supplement for that.  She has just been taking it easy and trying to drink as much as possible.  We will go back to Emory on Monday for more labs and an Endoscopy.  That is about it for now, I will update again in a few days and thanks for checking in on Mallory.  Have a good night.  Lisa

Happy Friday everyone, so glad the weekend is finally here.  Mallory went to Emory for labs today, she received a voicemail tonight from Diane her Coordinator to let her know that her liver numbers had gone up.  Her BR was 1.5, (lower than last time) her AST, ALT and GGT have all increased.  With that said they did stop one of her meds (Actigall) a few weeks ago.  In the past every time this medicine was stopped her numbers went up.  So we are going to be optimistic and blame this on the medicine change.  Diane said they want Mallory to come back on Monday for some additional labs and we will go from there.  Maybe they will put her back on the Actigall and things will get back to normal.  So, please say an extra prayer or two for her.

Other than that she is doing very well these days.  Next week she will have two finals at KSU and will then have several weeks off. 

I am sure most of you know that BAMA has a huge game tomorrow.  We are all pumped up and ready, if Bama is as ready as we are they will have no problem with those Gators!  Roll Tide!!

I will update again after we know more on Monday!  Oh and be sure to leave Mallory a note, she loves hearing from everyone.

Mallory went to Emory on Friday for labs and clinic.  Her numbers were better, her Bilirubin was back down to 1.7, still little high but much better.  They stopped two of her medicines and she will have labs again in two weeks.  Her magnesium is low so she has started taking a supplement to help with that.  Other than having some sinus issues she is doing great.  We are going tomorrow to see the Rockettes in Atlanta...girls only!  Mallory, Rachel, Dana and myself, I know we will have a blast.  Michael and Angela are doing great and so is Mike!!  Mike had a problem with his sciatic nerve recently but is much better now.  ROLL TIDE!!!!  Another win for Bama today!!  Take care and thanks for checking in!!  Lisa

Hello everyone!  Just wanted to give a quick update on Mallory, she seems to be feeling great these days!!  She is going on Friday to clinic and to have labs done, so we will update again after her appointment. I love you Mallory!

I wanted to also ask everyone for some specific prayers:

Juanita Macomber, she is the mom to Robert, my mom’s husband.  She is a dear sweet lady and was just recently diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer.  Last week she had more testing done and now we are waiting on the outcome of those.

Destin Baker, my nephew that I am so proud of.  He will leave later today for Iraq.  I am so proud of him and love him so much.  Also, Paul Gulledge, my nephew n law, who left last month for Irag.  Proud of him  and love him also!!

Below are links to 2 websites of kids I have been following.  I have never met these kids or their family but their stories are so amazing and they could both use some prayers. 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/allyjark

http://cotaforemersonw.com/node/35

I putting these requests here on Mallory’s website because I know a lot of folks read it…never can have too many prayers.

Thanks all!!

Mallory went yesterday to Emory for labs and she also got the swine flu vaccine.  Late yesterday Diane (her coordinator) called to say her bilirubin is 3.0 and her other liver numbers had gone up slighly also.  So given her history with rejection episodes, the plan is for Mallory to get a biopsy next week.  Someone from the liver clinic will call us early in the week to schedule the procedure.  She is having some sinus/cold issues and is not feeling well at all, her voice is pretty much gone today.  Please send up some extra prayers over the next few days for Mallory.  I will update again when I have a date and time for the prcedure.  ROLL TIDE!!!!  Lisa

Hello everyone.  I know I have not updated in quite some time, I will try to do better.  Mallory has been feeling pretty good here lately.  She is going for labs tomorrow, this will be her first labs done by LabCorp for her Emory doctors so I am really not sure when we will have the results but we will post as soon as we do.  She pointed out last night that her eyes are a little on the yellow side so please say a prayer that everything is okay and that her numbers will be good.  Thanks for stopping in and expect another update in a couple of days and oh yeah, ROLL TIDE!!!!!!  Lisa

Yes!  We are home.  We are so thankful for all the prayers, they have worked!!  Well, 2 years ago around this time we were waiting for Mallory to come out of surgery!! Happy Anniversary to Mallory and Izzie.  Although, we don’t know anything about the donor or the family of the donor, we are so thankful for their gift, the gift of life that saved Mallory.  I am sure this family is having a difficult day so my prayer is for God to ease their heartache and to give them comfort in knowing another life was spared because of the selfless act.

I remember exactly where I was sitting when the surgery ended.  I was sitting against the wall on the 6^th floor at Egleston, I sat here so I could see Dr. Heffron the moment he came through the doors.  Finally, around 8:30 he came through the doors, exhausted.  He gave us an update on the day and a few minutes later the nurses came past us with Mallory.  She was still completely out with machines every where and the tears began to flow. Thank you all for being on this journey with us and for praying for Mallory and our family, we love you all.  Lisa

Here is the last journal entry on the day of the surgery…..September 17, 2007

Update #6 9:00 PM

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!
We just saw Mallory, being wheeled down the hall to the ICU ward. Dr. Heffron met us in the hall and gave us an update on her condition. Dr. Heffron told us that she received 24 units of blood during the 11 hour procedure. He also told us that the extraction of the old liver was very difficult. To quote Dr. Heffron “It was rooted in”! Dr. Heffron told us that this was one of the most difficult liver removals he had ever done!
He was very pleased with the new liver and was able to use her existing artery and connect her old bile duct to the new liver (VERY GOOD FOR BOTH).

They tested her blood and her Bilirubin and it is DOWN to 6!!!!! Praise the lord! Prior to surgery it was 26. Mallory is being settled in to the ICU ward and will be on a respirator until sometime tomorrow. Like they told us before she will be closely monitored over the next 24 hours. We are thankful for and are still asking for everyone’s prayers.
We also want to thank Dr. Heffron and all the people who assisted with the surgery (If we had all the names we would put them here too!!).
With our joy is also sorrow. We have prayed for the donor’s family and the life saving gift they have given our daughter and family. We are thankful to God for our gifts we have received and pray that we can also one day bring the same joy to another deserving person. We will be posting more updates as we have them.

THANK YOU EVERYONE

The Smiths

We went to Emory today and Mallory has been admitted.  Her bilirubin is up to 6 so she needs to have some test done to see what is going on.  She had a chest xray and EKG tonight.  Tomorrow she will have a liver biopsy and bile duct check.  She does not feel well at all.  Please pray for quick answers and quick results! Sorry for the short update but I am just so tired!!!  Lisa

Hello all!  Well, we had a busy weekend full of fun to celebrate Mallory’s big 21^st birthday.  Saturday we headed over to Tuscaloosa for the day, it was great to be among fellow Bama fans.  We went to the Bear Bryant Museum and as we were leaving the entire football team and coaches went by and we were able to get some good pictures, Mallory even got a Hey and Roll Tide from Coach Saban!  We then attended an event that is held each year for folks named after “Bear Bryant”.  Most of you probably know that Michael’s middle name is Bryant.  We, of course, did a little shopping and added to our Bama items!!  Michael and Angela stayed for the game, I think we have reeled Angela right in to our Bama excitement!!  Mike, Mallory and me decided to head home, it was a long and tiring day.  The first half was not pretty but we did kick butt the 2^nd half and came out on top!!  ROLL TIDE!!  Then, the festivities continued on Sunday with lunch at Olive Garden, three of Mallory’s very best friends were there and she was so surprised and happy to see them.  Thanks Haley, Alyssa and Rachel for joining us!  So, as you can see it was a busy weekend!  Now on to more serious matters, Mallory is not feeling well at all!  She had a rough afternoon and night last night so we decided to call her doctors.  She was scheduled for her first visit with the Emory doctor’s for this Friday but since she is not feeling well they are going to see her tomorrow morning at 9:30.  She is very tired, running a low grade temperature and having some pain issues.  Her eyes are a little yellow so we just need to get some answers and sooner rather than later.  I am sure the first thing they will do is to run labs and then we will just go from there.  I will update after our appointment in the morning.  I have no idea what to expect at Emory since this is the first visit to the new doctors.  Everyone…please pray for Mallory and a quick easy answer!  Thanks for checking in and be sure to check again tomorrow.  Lisa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALLORY!!!  WOW, 21!!!! 

Today is a special day, Mallory is 21!!! I cannot believe she is already 21, time certainly does fly when you are having fun!  Over the past few days I have been thinking a lot about the past 3 years and I am absolutely blown away by how much Mallory has been through.  It has certainly been a rollercoaster ride!!  Two years ago when she turned 19, she was at Egleston, very very sick.  She was given a surprise party by her awesome nurses and a small party with a few family members and some great friends.  The thing I remember most about her 19^th birthday is that she was so sick that she did not even open her presents!  She was on the list for a 2^nd transplant and just 5 days after her birthday was wheeled into surgery.  Here we are 2 years later and while there are still issues from time to time….Mallory is in college and moving on with her precious life!  I could go on and on here but I am getting emotional and I don’t want to mess up my makeup…LOL!!!  I will post again in a day or so and tell you all about the gifts and festivities of this HUGE day in the life of Mallory Smith!!  We love you guys and could not have gotten through this without our wonderful family and friends.  God Bless and Roll Tide!!!  Lisa

Last Friday, July 17^th was Mallory’s 3 year anniversary of her 1^st transplant.  So, Happy Anniversary to Mallory!!  I know this is a few days late, we could not get the internet to work at the hotel and things have just been a little busy since then.  Doug (her first liver) saved her life at that moment and we are so thankful to the donors family for giving Mallory this gift.  Please say a prayer for our donor families as I know this time of the year is probably very difficult for them.  Michael and Angela are now married, the wedding was just beautiful and everything was perfect.  Welcome to our family Angela, we love you!!  Mallory received a call last week and labs have been changed to every 2 weeks again!!  She is feeling pretty good these days, a little tired and dealing with some sinus issues, but overall feeling good.  Well, thanks for checking in on Mallory.  Oh yeah, I will post a link to some pictures from the wedding soon.  God Bless and have a great day. Lisa

Hello everyone!  Mallory had labs on Monday and her numbers were perfect!!!  She received a call on Tuesday to reduce her prednisone from 10 mg daily to 5 mg and on Wednedsay we received a call to decrease her prograf.  Mallory is doing very good these days so it is time for the doctors to start trying to take and/or reduce medicine.  Over the next couple of months we will start our transition over to Emory.  We will miss our team at Egleston but also know that Mallory will be in good hands at Emory.  On Tuesday night we attended an event in honor of Dr. Romero and it was very nice.  He is such a derserving person to be honored, so humble.  Our family was honored to be invited and able to attend such a special night for one of the doctors that has taken care of Mallory for the past 3 years!!  Wow, can you believe it, almost 3 years since the 1st transplant.  Thanks for checking in and we will update again after labs on Monday.  Happy 4th and have a great weekend.  Lisa

Another update…Dr. Romero emailed us to say the tests he had done were negative.  However, one test did show she has a slight malabsorption of sugar (likely lactose) so he added Imodium to her daily cocktail of medicine.  He wants an update early next week on how she is doing.  Dr. Greenbaum called with the results of the ultrasound.  He said it looked good, no stones.  He did say her kidneys were smaller, probably due to all the damage to her kidneys and medication. He also increased one medicine and wants a call next week on how things are going.   Please keep Mallory is your prayers; she is good but still just tired a lot and having a few minor issues.  Lisa

Well, today is the 17^th so you all know what that means…..some kind of anniversary.  35 months since the 1^st transplant and 21 months since the 2^nd.  Mallory is continuing to do well, she had labs yesterday.  Her kidney numbers were up a tiny bit so she is probably just a little dry.  Her liver numbers were perfect again!!!  She did also have the ultrasound done on her kidneys and bladder but we do not have those results yet.  Glad to read that everyone likes the new website.  We need to come up with something fun to do with the guestbook.  One time we had everyone leave a note and tell us what state they live in.  We will have to put our heads together and come up with another fun thing to do.  Thank you for continuing to check on Mallory and for all the notes but most importantly the Prayers!!!  I will post again when we know more about the ultrasound and update again in a few days.  Have a great day.   Lisa