2008...What a year---by Robin

Seems that I'm finding something of great significance to attach to the last couple of years so that will be my New Year Resolution...to identify the highlight of each coming year and document it. So...here goes my start:
2007--Received the gift of life in the form of a liver transplant, so this will mark my "new" beginning.
2008--Met my co-moderator Deb and had my "first" birthday with my new liver.
2009---Anticipate slaying the dragon (otherwise known as successfully eliminating the hepatitis C virus through interferon/ribavirin treatment).
Keep your spirits high...robin

Christmas Eve---by Robin

Christmas Eve is here and it will be a time to spend with my husband. We have had our time with family (with a week-end of the "little" grands staying over) and have reached out to friends through cards. Tonight will be special, as it's a time for "us".
We will put out of mind, the idea of an upcoming ultrasound and liver biopsy, the "nastiness" of the interferon and ribavirin and enjoy tonight as it is,the eve of Christmas.
This day, as all are, is a gift from my donor family. So tonight as we warm by the fire and sit in awe at the beauty of the lights and the glistening of the tinsel, with the peace of knowing that health is "our's", we will have hope that tonight our donor family is able to have a loving and meaningful holiday.
Keep your spirits high...robin

Changes to come---by Robin

Tomorrow, family will come to celebrate Christmas, the one I didn't think I'd be here for. I've been busy cooking and cleaning, wrapping presents and preparing for the three youngest grands to spend the week-end.

Monday, I go to Little Rock to see the doctor about starting treatment again for my hepatitis. This is met with mixed emotion as the treatment nearly killed me, two years ago. I was a rapid responder to the interferon and ribavirin so my hopes are my liver and I will successfully tolerate the medication and kill this virus.

Keep your spirits high...robin

Holiday Thoughts.....by Deb

Holiday Stress, even gloriously happy to be here transplant recipients can feel it. Between work & holiday prep I feel it. Yesterday driving home from Christmas shopping feeling 'the Stress', one of the songs that plays on this blog came on the radio. Silent reflection hit me, in the daily rush of the season along with obligations out of my control, I miss my friend Robin & I's daily e-mails. I miss my quiet time of thought to post on our blog as I should. I miss being in contact with my family as much as usual. Then as naturally as breathing, my thoughts were directed to my donor family & the loved one that they are missing this holiday Season, the loved one they've been missing since that November day in 2005 when they lost a life & I got mine back. It would be so wonderful to somehow meet my donor's family & find a way to honor my donor. More so, at this time of year of blessings and family, that is also the anniversary of their parting this life & giving life in the process. One would be right in assuming my thoughts here are, should any donor family read this post, Thank You & May God Bless, you are a part of Miracles much like the Season. B~positive, deb

Liver Failure, Heptitis C and Online Forums---by Robin

We have had several people contact us or post comments who have Hepatitis C and are either listed for transplant or are in the process of being listed. I'd like to list some online forums that may provide additional support for them, in addition to some sites that are available for all transplant patients. If you are aware of a support group that is online, please feel free to post a comment and we will add it to the list.

WWW.HCVAnonymous.com

WWW.forums.delphiforums.com/liverfailure/start

WWW.TransplantExperience.com

WWW.HCVets.com

WWW.HepCAware.org

WWW.Transplantbuddies.org

WWW.HepCNomads.co.UK

WWW.Livertransplantsupport.co.UK


Keep your spirits high...robin

HELP NEEDED--VA and Transplants @ UAMSC---by Robin

I have received a phone call asking for anyone who may have experience with the VA and UAMSC (University of Arkansas Medical Science Campus)solid organ transplant division, to please contact:

Ruth Cullins @ 870-897-7708 or 870-268-8740
or by e-mail @ sscmtnhome@centurytel.net or msparkmanssc@hotmail.com

This is in regards to husband/father, Terry, who is very ill and currently hospitalized in Memphis. He is in need of a liver transplant and they are having difficulty navigating the VA system to be listed in Arkansas. They have private insurance that will help with the cost in addition to VA benefits.

If you are aware of anyone who has experience with UAMSC solid organ transplant division with VA benefits, please contact the Cullins family or leave information for them. They are desperate at this time and welcome any assistance.

Busy Times and Busy Minds---by Robin

This is perhaps the busiest month of the year and I've notice quite a drop in the number of "hits" on this blog. So, I'm not sure if things have peaked and there is no longer any interest or if people are just busy.
There were so many hopes that we had when Deb and I started this web-site. We wanted to have a place to connect with not only each other but people who were traveling the same path as we did; the pathway of an organ recipient and to reach out to donor families. I question if we failed at both.
If my donor family should come across this site, I wish you well. It has been a bit over a year since you gave me life in your time of loss. Know that I will do my best to protect and care for that part of your loved one that we share.
Keep your spirits high...robin