Personal Note from Harry Liggett

Helen and I are almost back home after a catastrophic illness nightmare at Cleveland Clinic for 20 days--mostly in intensive care.

Helen had surgery at Akron General Medical Center in April for a ruptured ulcer on the back of her stomach. A scan at that time also showed a mass near the aorta. Helen was home for a while and developed a kidney infection. She was given antibiotics and on Sunday, July 29, she could not dress for church. Sunday night I had trouble getting her to the bathroom so Monday morning she was taken to emergency room by ambulance and admitted. A biopsy was needed to determine whether the mass was scar tissue or something else. Because a biopsy would be a delicate procedure, she was transferred to Cleveland Clinic by ambulance on Wednesday July 29. The biopsy was done the next day. When the biopsy report came back August 4, it was determined the mass was b cell lymphoma.

Helen had chemo and 24-7 dialysis. The chemo caused a huge decrease in the mass and she was transferred to a regular room on August 10. A few hours later she started bleeding from the rectum and rushed back to ICU. I called Tom and Bob at 2:30 a.m. Upper and lower gastro intenstinal exams were ordered and it was determined that chemo had caused bleeding of our or five ulcers in the duodenum. She was given prilosec and the bleeding stopped. The tube down her throat, however, caused an extreme soreness in her throat and loss of speech. The chemo also triggered a yeast infection in her groin area. She also still had much fluid in her legs.

Finally on August 17 (Day 20), she was discharged and taken by ambulance to Copley Health Center, 150 Heritage Woods, across from AGMC wellness center for rehabilitation. Room A210. Telephone 330-670-6690.

Thanks for all your prayers. Sorry I have been out of touch, but I am devoting all my time to Helen.