Batesville woman believes in miracles

Everyone says miracles happen once in a lifetime and Cheryl Lee, 43 of Batesville, is living out this miracle as a survivor of a liver transplant and extensive stay at the hospital. In September of 2021, Cheryl got Covid and told the Osgood Journal she never really felt back to her normal self. In December of 2021, she went back to the doctors for more tests to find out after an ultrasound showed a “fatty” liver and she was a borderline diabetic. She had no answers after months of not feeling any better. Her liver became more swollen, and her doctor couldn’t really make a diagnosis but found out she developed CDIFF (Inflammation of the colon caused by bacteria Clostridium difficile.)

A few weeks later in mid-June, Cheryl was admitted to the hospital to see why her liver enzymes were so high. Her doctor sent her to see a specialist at the Hansen Center in Batesville due to not being able to find results after six weeks of illness. Ten days after seeing the doctor she got seriously ill and ended up at the Margaret Mary Health Emergency and was told she was in stage four kidney failure and her liver was now three times its size. On June 28, 2022, Cheryl was admitted into IU University Health. Doctors spent three weeks trying to get her kidneys under control and then after extensive testing said it was necessary for a liver transplant.

It has been known that patients that require a liver transplant may not find a match in time to save their lives. Cheryl had to do 15 tests within two days to see if she even was even healthy enough to qualify to have the procedure done. Within 24 hours after testing and meeting with the hospital transplant board they called and let her know that they had a match for her. Cheryl told the Osgood Journal, “I was very lucky and very blessed.”

On July 29, 2022, Cheryl had surgery for her transplant. After a couple of days out of recovery she developed a lot of pain. More tests ran and found she had an internal bleed from a complication in surgery where the surgeons had nicked a vein. They also found that she had a bile leak from where the transplant and bile duct had not fused together. This cuased infection throughout her body. Her infection had caused her to take a turn for the worse.

Cheryl said she doesn’t really remember anything until October. The doctors kept her completely sedated for two months and she was in a coma.

For those two months, her husband, Jeremy, went back and forth to the hospital, worked and cared for their dogs. He was the rock of it all and was committed even though he didn’t know what the outcome would be. Cheryl stated, “I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have Jeremy running my ship while I was in my coma.”

The decisions Jeremy had to make medically, Cheryl believed, saved her life. Medicines became resistant during her coma and doctors told Jeremy she was septic. Jeremy had to allow her to have a tracheostomy because nothing else was working and doctors said that was the only other option at this point. She had developed Leolcoencyphitis, an infection in the brain. Her family was called in because doctors and Jeremy didn’t think she was going to make it. Cheryl stated, “After losing our son, Gavin, not a lot could make it through one trauma let alone two.” The family thought this was the end for Cheryl.

The doctors weren’t giving up and began giving her neuro stimulators hoping she would respond and wake up. She woke up within days of the treatments. Everyone told her when she woke up, she was acting crazy, very angry and in a psychosis really because her brain wasn’t processing quickly. First memory after her waking up was on her and Jeremy’s anniversary, Oct. 26 when she was moved out of ICU to the step-down unit where the nurses had decorated her room for their 14th wedding anniversary (and celebrating 17 years together).

After leaving the hospital three weeks later, she went through two weeks of rehab and had to go through another life change. Medications and being in the hospital bed for months caused her to lose parts of her long hair and she made the decision at rehab to shave her head. She also lost 75 pounds due to the illness. She had to learn life skills and how to walk all over again. “Rehab was my lifesaver to have an independent life after physical and occupational therapy.” stated Cheryl. When she returned home it was all about exercise, staying healthy and getting stronger.

Cheryl is now occupying her time with her home-based business, Lemon Grass Spa. She started the business after researching ways to help grow her hair back. With the help of her products of natural alternatives it helps her to continue to get healthier, cleaner and most beneficial to help with hair care from her hair loss. “This business has given me a lot of joy to see people using these natural alternatives and healthier options.”

“People tell me I am a miracle. Now that I have soul searched, I must agree. It is a miracle that I am here and have a purpose and intend to fulfill it!” stated Cheryl. She will be returning to her full-time job at Performance Food Service where she worked before she was ill. She has been their Area Manager since 2011.

“After going through two major traumas in my life, the number one thing to do is to stay positive and find some light in anywhere and anything you can. On the days that are really bad it’s okay to hit the pause button. What people see as strength is actually survival mode. Everyone doesn’t have a choice and it takes a lot of courage to get through a trauma state.” Cheryl quoted for anyone going through hard times.

The Lee family continue to give back to the community from the loss of their son, Gavin Lee, through the Gavin Memorial Fund set up after his death. Cheryl also stated the importance of being an organ donor. Being a survivor because of donor miracle of life from a family of a young man in his twenties allowed Cheryl Lee to have that second chance of life with her family. Saving a life today can be a miracle for someone like Cheryl tomorrow.