Update: 04/11/2016

Update: *SIGH* it is very begrudgingly and unhappily that I have deliver this not so fun news.

Monday, April 18th 2016 (ONE week from today) we will once again be on the war path watching our little warrior rise and conquer yet again ANOTHER SURGERY.

On April 1st we were told by our Liver Transplant Team Cleveland Clinic Children's that Brodie’s blood clot is in fact NOT progressing in the way that it needs to be and surgically needs treatment.

Ironically, it was April Fools Day - so of course followed up with – is this a joke? Is this your very "unfunny" way of April Fooling us – Knowing full well it was not. But it was worth a try…

Boo. A BIG fat BOO. Not fun. No Bueno. Just RATS.

You see a blood clot is like plaster (or at least this is the analogy I have pulled together in my head). If any of you DIYers out there have gotten into a bout with plaster this will make sense…

If you are doing wall work and put some plaster on – the longer it sits on the wall the harder, it gets.

If you catch it right away you can quickly wipe it off, but if it sits it requires some more elbow grease and chisels or other tools to get it off the wall AND if you do NOT use the right tool – the wall sometimes comes off with it! EEK!

So treatment of Brodie’s clot is all based on the texture and consistency - Soft, Medium, Hard, etc. As far as we can tell his clot is about 2 – 2.5 months old. This means that it is probably out of the “soft” phase and into something more hard. All going back to WHY it is so important to have the right “hands” doing the procedure.

Our liver transplant team will not do the procedure they have another team of All-Stars that highly specialize in this Cleveland Clinic – the Interventional Radiology Team.

On Friday we met with Dr. Mark Sands and his PA Patricia "Trish" – they could not have been more informative, kind or patient as our 10-month old warrior destroyed the Drs. Office with toys, cheerios and pterodactyl shrieks.

Dr. Sands explained often he is the “opener and closer” for liver transplants.

He worked through the appointment showing us images of Brodie’s CT Scans and Ultrasounds that have captured the progression of my liver healing and becoming Brodie’s little organ. He explained to us the options, risks, benefits and silver linings all of which we choked down realizing that this was our option.

Time is of the essence. We need to treat sooner than later.

Brodie will be in appx a 5-hour surgery - they will make an incision that is about a ½ inch. This will be on his right side of his ribcage about an inch above the arch of his rainbow scar.

They will go in with a probe (picture a long super skinny wand) that will be able to display images on screens in the room. As they navigate through his liver and find the portal vein where our arch nemesis the blood clot is holding strong the Drs. will determine their plot to “attack”.

You see, we will not be able to know what we are dealing with until we are in there. Dr. Hashimoto will be sitting in with Dr. Sands to ensure that any treatment would not interfere with any other procedures down the road.

Here are the options:

Option One: Angioplasty – this is where they “remove” the entire clot – the clot has to be in soft condition to do this. Based off of what they know there is a 10-15% chance for this option.

Option Two: Stent – this is where they will insert a coil that looks like a Chinese finger trap into the clot so it can open up the portal vein so flow can return back to normal. This is most likely the option that will be chosen.

*The bummer with this is that Brodie is so small his little vein size is appx 4MM the stent they will probably use is 6MM so this will be temporary – when he is 10 or 15 or 20 he will have another surgery to remove this and insert an adult size one which is 10 – 12 MM

Option Three: Vein Removal – This quite honestly terrifies me and there is about a 10-15% chance we may be here – where they will “CUT OUT” his vein and replace with another vein. This cannot happen on Monday and will be an entire different surgery.

My greatest hope is that Option One – Angioplasty will be possible but I have a sinking feeling our reality will not lead us there.

Oh... and as if this could only get a little worse. We will continue to give the shots (twice a day) of Lovenox. Probably for the next 6 months...

*Big Sigh* *Huge Sigh* *Maybe a couple of tears*

As you can imagine when any loved one gets set up for surgery you think no no no this is not happening…. then you realize that yes, this is your fate and you must do this. then you move into analyzing your situation.

Here is what I have come up with:

We are in our backyard
We are at the Cleveland Clinic
We are working with the best of the best
Trust
This is scary
This is uncomfortable
This is treatable
We will get through this
Have faith
Things could be worse – a lot worse
This is treatable
Brodie is warrior
Our family is strong
Believe
Annnnnd repeat

Once again, I am drawn to the eyes of innocence – big brown eyes that twinkle at me – his new thing - stinking out his tongue when he does ANYTHING. He gives me a big 4 toothy - with 4 more toothy coming in grin – his whole aura shimmering at me…

I keep imagining a thought bubble coming from his little head (don’t you wish babies came with those?) “We can do this Mama. We will do this. We already moved a mountain. This. This is nothing.”

His mindset is very much like a Chinese Military Strategist Sun Tzu - “Courage, above all things is the first quality of a warrior.”

I must have courage just like little man. We must trust where we are.

Most importantly we must have faith in all the hands that are guiding us from above, in the Cleveland Clinic, the prayer, amazing intentions, good vibes, juju, mojo and everything else – we will RISE, CONQUER and DEFEAT once again.

No. Other. Option.

So in the meantime we will sail through the week! We are SO looking forward to seeing you all at the Cleveland Indians game – of course we wouldn’t miss it! This is now our BIG send off.

And what does a Mama do to soothe her aching heart and wandering mind? Much to Russ' dismay - take family pictures of course – HA! He is such a good hubby!

I hope you enjoy some of the photos that my dear friend at Shannon Ahlstrand Photography captured of our family! She is amazing, awesome and incredible to work with - in Westlake - always seeking out new clients!

We LOVE LOVE them and are so excited to share them with you.

So once again I find asking for your love, GOOD VIBES and support as we go into another adventure in our LIVER LOVE TALE.

XO – TT

#brodiesgoodvibetribe #BGVT #sliverofliver #TIGUETOUGH #donatelife

04/07/2016 - Team Swanson

Donate LIfe! Meet Team Swanson - they dominated Biliary Atresia x2: Twin Boys kicked BA to the curb - with liver transplants at 2 & 3 years old... all because someone decided to #donatelife - they are now in 1st grade AND DOING AMAZING!

Mama Swanson was so kind and helped me so much understand, work through and educate me on what this journey is all about - and I only had little B-man. Watching these little boys thrive and their older brother regulate is awesome! If you haven't yet - choose to DONATE LIFE. RECYCLE YOUR PARTS. HELP OTHERS LIVE!

http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/first-graders-with-transplanted-livers-thriving/brodiesgoodvibetribe #donatelife #sliverofliver #thegoodstuff#teamswanson

Maroon for Maisie - Transplant Day!!!

Our sweet little PICU 5 y/o friend had her big transplant yesterday Maroon for Maisie is at Cleveland Clinic Children's her marrow came over from Germany - can you believe that is where her match was?

This little girl has a heart bigger than Texas and 4 little siblings that want their big sister to rock through this.

Happy New Marrow Birthday Maisie!!!

Please spare some good vibes, transplant support and BGVT love!!!!! 
#donatelife #livedonorsrock 
#brodiesgoodvibetribe

Maroon for Maisie

April 6, 2016 · 

Maisie had her bone marrow transplant yesterday. We were so anxious while waiting for the donor cells to arrive, and we were able to breathe a little easier once the transplant completed. It is so amazing to think those cells made the journey all the way from Germany. In the days leading up to the transplant, Maisie underwent chemotherapy and full body radiation. She has generally been in good spirits, but she’s been experiencing headaches and nausea. She was able to see her siblings this afternoon through her room's hallway window, and it absolutely made her day!

Although we couldn’t make the mass at St. Luke the other night, we know that there were so many who attended, and even more people who were there in spirit and praying from afar. We are so grateful for your support and prayers! Thank you! We will continue to update you with Maisie's progress as we move forward in this journey.

03/25/2016 - TRIBE TIME! Here we come!

Buy your tickets here!!!! Buy your tickets NOW!!!!! Our EXTRAORDINARY friends at the Cleveland Clinic have invited us (The Tigue’s) to THROW OUT THE FIRST PITCH at a Cleveland Indians GAME.

04/16/16 – Saturday, April 16th 2016 at 4:10PM – we will be getting an ENTIRE SECTION for BGVT with SPECIAL DISCOUNTED pricing:
http://m.mlb.com/indians/tickets/info/goodvibe
there is only a LIMITED AMOUNT! So pick them up NOW!

Call your friends. Bring the family. Get a babysitter. Get a group. Come by yourself. Whatever – Just COME! EVERYONE and ANYONE is invited – as long as they bring GOOD VIBES.

APRIL is DONATE LIFE month and that is what this is all about.
Celebrate what Cleveland Clinic Children's + a sliver of liver did for Brodie = 2nd chance at life and what an amazing gift ORGAN DONATION is.

COME, RALLY WITH US and let your battle cry out and let’s get your BGVT ON for DONATING LIFE.

AND WATCH US THE TIGUE’s get the first pitch on – we will WAVE to you from the MOUND! EEKKK!!

XO - TT
#brodiesgoodvibetribe #sliverofliver #TIGUEtough #thegoodstuff

Update: 03/23/2016 - Easter

Update: 03/23/16 - On a day like yesterday when words like miraculous, joyful, blessed, alive, triumphant, life and risen describe the events in christian history that has inspired and allowed so many to learn the meaning of sacrifice and new life - makes me be very reflective on my own.

Happy Easter to you all and may you be filled with many blessings. This is a time for hope. It is a time for believing. It is a time for us to renew ourselves to be better, feel better, strive to be the person we want to be.

Easter is a time to celebrate new beginnings.

Today is an Ultrasound day Cleveland Clinic Children's – this will take about an hour”ish” depending on how our wiggly and how flirty our lil boy does. This will be measuring the clot to see if there are any significant changes – so far it has just stayed the same – not larger not smaller.

My secret hope is it will have a slight change so I can feel good about the medication (ie my arch nemesis super villain - the shots of lovenox)…

I just need something for me to know this is working and to fill up my "mama-nerves of-steel-gas-tank."

You all know what I am talking about – "the I really don’t want to do this but I have to because someone said I am supposed to be the responsible adult around here when the heck did that happen okay here goes nothing".

Yup that tank...

I have been feeling under the halfway point in my Mama Tank and just need to know this is working…

Brodie is such a champ.

So many of you have flooded me with suggestions and encouragement and I have all of those locked away in my mental piggy bank and saved notes that I pull from when I need some MOJO in my step and a refuel in my tank.

Our “shot” time is becoming more of a routine…. I get Brodie situated (I cannot ice his leg because the anticipation as soon as he feels it turns into screams) I sterilize my hands, I wipe him with an alcohol wipe and there, right then, cries and screams unleash and he starts wiggling like a greased little piggy… all in anticipation of what is coming.

Meanwhile I am trying to laser focus in between bruising and hard spots on his leg - to find that one perfect spot that is not inundated with purple, blue, green, pink and reds – probably what a lot of Easter Eggs look like, but sigh unfortunately this is his little leg…

The bruising is all “normal” - It happens when you administer this medication - but that doesn’t make it any easier looking at your 10 month old child whose thunder thighs and chunk a lunk jelly should be so delicious to look at and lust about how amazing it is to be a child and flaunt it if you got those rolls (especially after my battles lost with the Chocolate filled peanut butter eggs this weekend) …

And then finally when I have him pinned down and his face is red and hot from frustration, I am usually “Mama sweating” and finding my focus, I quickly insert the needle, administer the medicine, grab gauze to press on the injection site and call for “Dr. Harper” (she is still my pharmacist most days as well) pretend play at its finest.

She flies over and goes to administer the bandaid - with accuracy of an obsessive-compulsive-four year old-habitual bandaid user with exact precision - she puts the band-aid on in less than 10 seconds.

We get Brodie up as quickly as we can.

Cries dwindle to moans.

We wipe crocodile tears away, calm him down and he is on to the Next. Best. Thing.

Then repeat 12 hours later. And again... and again... and again...

I needed yesterday. We got to bring Brodie to church. We got to go to church as a family for the first time since transplant. We have been avoiding church for B-Man just simply for the germs and cold and flu season.

yesterday helped remind me that in our darkest moments, in our times when we are torn internally from mental anxiety, when we are confused, lost, scared, tired or just need guidance – we need to remember if you choose you can be guided with love, wisdom, and by faith - there is something greater than ourselves and if we can muster up enough courage and allow ourselves to be vulnerable and lift up our worries and concerns we can be led to peace.

I cannot help myself but to think of the resounding synchronicity of the journey of Jesus and his resurrection on Easter day and also Brodie’s journey and fateful transplant on 10/19/16 both signifying new life, new beginnings and both lead to inspire and help others understand faith and many other things. (obviously they are two totally different scenarios but just keeping it simple as simple could be)

That is when I found myself thinking I must have FAITH that this medication is worth it. it WILL work. Every crocodile tear that I wipe away could be a teency weency reduction in that clot.

And HOPE that this bruising that is decorating Brodie’s thighs is temporary proof of the battle that our little warrior is dominating.

And to remind me that a Mother’s LOVE paired with Good Vibes and intentions is the best medicine Bro-meister can have.

So as I sit here waiting for them to call my name to go see how "Our Villain" in the plot of this Liver Tale is doing....

I remind myself of hope, faith, positivity, good vibes and our tribe everything that is gotten us this far.

I pray that our superhero little Brodie will defeat this blood clot and this will just be one more battle on his journey.

So remind yourselves on your daily journeys and life struggles that when you begin with believing and walk hand in hand with faith hope is born and can illuminate the way - even if it is just your next step...

1st Living Liver Donor to a Stranger

This man was the first living LIVER donor in the United States to donate to a STRANGER - a stranger!!!! Is that amazing??? Think of this.... He did not just donate an organ, being a LIVE living donor but being the first LIVER donor to a STRANGER. He must have been terrified, afraid and SO BRAVE. This man enabled so many to be brave after him. #DONATELIFE#sliverofliver #thegoodstuff #brodiesgoodvibetribe

 

http://www.richmond.com/business/article_4ec285ca-491c-5701-872a-e11651250b13.html