Possible matches found for Massey woman for liver transplant

Several individuals have been found to be a possible match for a Massey woman needing a liver transplant.
Leslie Knibbs says his wife, Beth Cassidy, appreciates the overwhelming response from the public in finding a match for a liver.
Only a portion of a healthy liver is needed for the transplant.
Knibbs says they have tests at Toronto General Hospital on May 29^th including a crucial one with the transplant coordinator to set up the date for the transplant.
He adds his wife has lost a considerable amount of weight but is continuing to remain positive.
Knibbs described some of the challenges she is facing. Beth has lost a lot of muscle mass and still suffers from ascites and severe cramping.  Most commonly, ascites is due to liver disease and the inability of that organ to produce enough protein to retain fluid in the bloodstream as well as an obstruction to flow through a scarred or non-functioning liver. Normally, water is held in the bloodstream by oncotic pressure. The pull of proteins keeps water molecules from leaking out of the capillary blood vessels into surrounding tissues. As liver disease advances, the liver’s ability to manufacture proteins is decreased, so oncotic pressure decreases because of the lack of total protein in the body, and water leaks into surrounding tissues.
The medications she is taking are helping her to function; however, she continues to lose muscle mass.  Beth is following all of the doctors’ instructions, taking her medications, is on a salt-free diet, only vegetarian meals are tolerable for her, she cannot digest or process meat products.  She continues to exercise and do light yoga daily as her specialist suggested, but it is not even close to what she was able to do prior to her liver failing.  Our family continues to receive support from the community for which we are very grateful.