A little about me:
My name is Lora Sheppard and this page is
dedicated to my team of prayer warriors who continue to encourage and
pray for myself and my children through the good, the bad and the ugly.
I am a single parent of two beautiful children. My son is 12, my
daughter 16 and we have a very close relationship.
In 2008 I began my pursuit towards a nursing degree with a
secondary in early childhood education. Unfortunately in April of 2010
I began feeling unwell so I went into the doctor. It was then that I
was diagnosed with stage 3 cirrhosis, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B. I
was very weak and my body was suffering to a great degree. Due to the
side effects of all three I was forced to drop out of school and focus
on my health and my children. Since that time I have been traveling
back and forth to Bristol, Tennessee to see a gastroenterologist. I
have found out since then that the stage 3 cirrhosis, I now have
stomach paralysis. In addition to seeing the gastroenterologist in TN
I also have to visit the University of Virginia hospital in
Charlottesville, Virginia. During my last visit to the UVA hospital,
in February 2013, I diagnosed with End Stage Liver Disease with
Hepatic Encephalopathy. There are treatments available for Hepatitis B
& C that I hope to get one day but right now my body is not strong
enough to handle such an intense treatment. However, there is no cure
for End Stage Liver Disease. The only hope for life is a liver transplant.
We are now in a fight for life and everything has gone into
survival during this time of need. My children are my biggest
cheerleaders but this is not something any child should have to
endure. They now have to watch as I continue to get sick. The tricky
part with any transplant is you have to be sick enough to justify such
a gift but well enough to make it through the surgery. Every 1 in 10
patients loose their life on the transplant table. More information on
Liver Disease and Hepatic Encephalopathy is listed below.
When I was well I put money away into savings just in case of an
emergency. Unfortunately that emergency has come and gone and our
little nest egg is completely gone. I am unable to work due to the
disease. The disease causes frequent bouts of confusion causing me to
forget what I was doing and where I am at and severe fatigue. I can
only be on my feet for about two hours at a time. As I continue to get
sicker the doctors visits increase and major expenses are incurred. At
every visit I have to have several different tests done. These tests
are required by the transplant hospital in order to qualify for a
transplant. The transplant hospital will not list me until all tests
are completed and the transplant team can review the results to
determine how sick I am and the risks they will be taking. In addition
to the many visits to the hospitals, traveling expenses to include
hotels and gas and medical expenses I am having trouble providing for
my children.
Instead of asking for charitable donations I have decided to
offer paracord awareness bracelets. I will send a bracelet to every
person donating $15 or more. The bracelets are black with your choice
of awareness ribbon color in the center. If you don’t know the color
for the cause you’d like to raise awareness for I will supply it.
In addition to the need for donations I would also like to ask
for prayer in numbers. My family (Children, Mother and Father) could
use every prayer you can offer. I know that whenever two or three come
together in prayer it is stronger than my prayer alone. Please join
the team and myself in prayer.
“I also tell you this: If two of
you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in
heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as
my followers, I am there among them.” ~ Matthew 18: 19-20
I, Lora Sheppard, am a fighter! I will not GIVE UP, I am a SURVIVOR!
End Stage Liver Disease
There are several types of liver disease that currently affects
thousands around the world. Liver disease is not picky and effects
babies, children, young adults and our older generation. Many things
cause liver disease such as autoimmune system disorders, hepatitis,
alcohol abuse and so much more. Google Liver Disease and you will see
just how many people are suffering right now and how they ended up
with liver disease.
There are currently over 17,000 adults and children waiting for
a liver transplant. This is only the ones who are currently listed and
does not count the thousands who are waiting to be listed.
18 People die everyday due to lack of available organs.
Liver Disease is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States.
Your liver is the second largest organ in your body and is
responsible for filtering all toxins from the blood and so much more.
It is easier to look at it this way; If your body was a vehicle then
your liver would be the engine. If your engine is not functioning well
the vehicle wi