Johnston House – Quincy Apartment

We absolutely loved staying at the Johnston House, in the Sierra Apartment for one month. I especially enjoyed the “home away from home” feel it had — nicely decorated, ample comfortable furniture, especially the recliners were wonderful to relax in or take a nap. The ground floor from the garage is where I (Candice) stayed — it was nearly self contained! I had a handicapped-accessible toilet & shower, bed, TV, sofa, table & chair all in my mini-apartment. This meant that I didn’t have to walk up the flight of stairs for the first few weeks.

We were fortunate enough to rent out the Quincy Apartment next door for my donor and sister-in-law, Amy, her husband and two young kids. We both also had a lot of family and extra caregivers moving in and out in shifts once Amy and I were discharged from the hospital. It was so nice not to have been separated by distance, and since the two units are identical with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, we easily used the space with the size of our group. The kitchen was well-equipped and we often stayed in and made a lot of dinners.

It was wonderful in the fall with the fall foliage to walk around the park and get our exercise when we were strong enough. I loved it here and hate to leave, but look forward to getting back to my three kids ages 5 – 15 years old.

CANDICE & AMY’S BACKSTORY:

I, Candice, was suffering from a rare genetic form of liver disease called Polycystic Liver Disease (PLD). This had been growing throughout my life, but by age 43, had become so intrusive that my 25 pound liver (average is 3 pounds) was compromising the function of every other organ — my breathing, my stomach and ability to keep food down, and my bladder. It was extremely painful and I was bedridden for nearly two years. In the last year, my surgeon did scans and realized there is no cure for this disease and the trial medications (injections) that I was taking once a month was, as my surgeon said, “a case of too little too late.” The surgical team told me that I would need a full liver transplant, but because my liver was working ok on its own, and that the size and ‘internal real estate’ was really the problem, that I needed to find a living donor to be a match for me to give me chance. That person just happened to be my wonderful sister-in-law, Amy. She selflessly went through a very painful surgery and donated two-thirds of her healthy liver to replace my large cystic one. There will never be enough words to thank her. I had about six months to live, and with having small kids, I fell into a deep depression. But then there was Amy — A PERFECT MATCH. I couldn’t believe it.

Amy stayed next door at the Quincy Apartment with her husband and caretaker relatives while I stayed here at the Sierra Apartment with my husband and caretaker relatives who flew back and forth all covering for each other. The layout at the Johnston House was perfect for our situation. Liver recipient and liver donor right next door to each other, enjoying talking about our shared experience, something that very few people will ever have the privilege of experiencing.

I am truly blessed, forever thankful to my donor which mere words can NEVER FULLY express, and so happy we had this bonding & healing time together in the comfort of side-by-side homes.

You have a gem of a home here! I’m glad we found you for our needs. Thanks for these wonderful homes. Thanks for making our experience special. Your homes and our memories we shared here will be with us always!

Sincerely,