I would like to dedicate this page to all the people that helped me through the most difficult time in my life!
First of all: "My Precious God", if it were not for him I would not be here to write this story today! He has been so faithful to me! Thank You Lord! You are so Wonderful!
Second of all: My Wonderful Family, if it weren't for your Support and continuous Love, I wouldn't have made it. I would like to mention things, that were done for me, out of love, to help, make this difficult time go smoother:

To My Dear Husband Mike: For being the most understanding, loving, caring, Patient, supportive husband any woman could ever want! We've been through a lot in our 35yrs., but this was one of the hardest storms we had to weather, but we hung in there together.
I couldn't have done it without You HON. You have been my PILLAR of STRENGTH!
I am so Lucky to have a Man Love me so much and stand beside me the way you have!
I LOVE YOU and THANK YOU FROM The BOTTOM OF MY HEART xoxo

Next a "Love" dedication to My Daughter Chris: Who completely dedicated her life, to me for 2yrs.
Putting your own life on hold, even though your own health was at stake. Never once did you complain about having to take care of me. While we were in Pittsburgh, you had so many things back home to be concerned about. Making sure that you were able to spend time with your children, that they were being taken good care of, and that they had transportation back & forth to school and all their outside activities. I don't know how you did all that you had to do and yet, you did, always with a smile on your face and peace when the kids were with you.

During all those trying moments, when you had to be the tough one, to keep everyone elses Spirits up, did you show any hint of how bad things really were. Everyone depended on you to be the Strong one & you never let them down!
So many obstacles we had to climb everyday, but you as my daughter never gave up. Your main concern was to keep me Happy, Healthy and Comfortable, and you did.
Even when you needed your own rest, you would stay with me until you knew I was sleeping peacefully, & then you would catch a few winks!
Chris, you were and still are AN Angel in Disguise! I truly have to say, I really might not have made it, without your constant Love, Support & Dedication to me. Always with a happy heart and so much needed encouraging words to keep me going.

You are a very caring person who always has everyone's best interest in hand. You are a very Loving and Dedicated Mother and Daughter, and I am so Proud of you and the fine job you have done on your own raising your three kids and still finding time for others. Especially me, at a time I so desperately needed your love and care.

The Lord was always with us through all those rough days, but held us both in the palm of his hands.
p.s. I'm glad, I'm back to being your Mom & not you, Mine. haha
"Bestest Friends":) I Love You!

To My Daughter Melissa: My Red Headed Angel! Thank you for keeping the Home Fires Burning, all the time I was away.
Also a "Special Thank You" for being my taxi driver down to Pittsburgh on your days off from work. Getting me to and from my monthly, pre & post Transplant appointments. Time or Weather were never an issue to you What a Sport! You never said "No", even though you were scared of that trip, but you conquered it, because of the Special Person you are. I am so very proud of you!!
You were & still are a great support to me. :))
You are more than a daughter to me, you are my"Best"Friend"
p.s. I love those days we spend together especially our lunches! (finding all the good zucchini we can.) haha I Love You Honey!

To My Dear Son Michael & Son-in-Law Tony: For taking the time, patience & understanding with the kids! & making sure that they got to school & other commitments they had to go to.
It sure took a big burden off Chris, & made it possible for her to stay in Pittsburgh, to take care of me, in a time I could hardly function.
None of it was ever taken for granted. You'll never know how much it was all appreciated. (but after all that's the kind of family we are)

And for all your thoughtful phone calls, to give me the encouragement I needed to get through another day.
Also for going through with my Bowl-A thon & making it back to the hospital, to be there for me. Plus the first two smiling faces I saw, when I woke up.
There are no words, but to say, I Love You, Thank You, and to tell you Both I think

Now to My Grandkids: Joey, Jessica & Kayla, How does a Grandma say thank you to "wonderful" kids like all of you? You are All Special and Unique in your own ways!!!
Every time I was down & out I would think of your smiles, & encouraging words (on the phone) & I would say to myself "I've got to get better, they are counting on me"!
All the cute cards, notes and colored pictures, to decorate my room, kept me smiling & happy!! :))
Jessica and Kayla, two of the cutest little granddaughters, with so much love & thoughtfulness.

(every Grandma's Dream!)

And Joe, all those "home runs" you hit for me buddy, you'll never know how I looked forward to hearing all your stories about what went on in the game, wishing I could have been there, to cheer you on. But knowing that you were out there playing with all your heart to bring me joy!
I am so proud of you all!
Thank you "Special Ones"

A Special Thank You to My Fourth Grandchild, Bobby, for helping me through some difficult times.
All those nights jumping in the car with us, to go to Pittsburgh because you wanted to be there for me!
Collecting all the information you could find on my condition.
Arranging a Bowl-A thon to help with some of our expenses.
Putting me on Prayer Chains all over the world.
Spending your summer vacations with me, when you could have been off having fun with your friends.
But mostly, for caring about me, at a crucial time in my life.
Also for helping me put this Web Page together, I couldn't have done it with out you, PAL. (Hopefully we will be able to help others through it!)
I love you so very much, & I will be here for you always!!!

To My Precious Mom & Dad: You Both are so Wonderful! I owe so much to you both, for all the love, prayers, support, and help through all this difficult time.
Being there for me before & after my transplant. All your prayers and candles, are what helped me, to be where I am today!
Thank you both, for all your unselfish love, throughout my entire life! Never once did I ever hear you complain, you always gave of yourselves so willingly!

Third of all: The rest of my "Entire Family"

My Three Brothers, Jim, Mic and Jerry.

My Mother-in-law, My Sisters-in-law, Nephews and Nieces.
All My Wonderful Friends, Neighbors, and My Church Family! Your continual prayers, cheerful cards, letters of encouragement, support and your helpfulness in so many ways! None of it will ever be forgotten!

~~~ Thank You"!~~~

A Special Dedication to my Nephew, Jeff Young, who had a Bone Marrow Transplant (8 months prior to my tx.) He had Leukemia, another horrible disease, but he beat it & is doing very well.
Because of Organ and Tissue Donation (by the way, his was donated by his sister, Kim), he is able to live.
Being he is the Dad of a darling little boy, named Matthew, and been given a second chance, he will now be able to watch his son grow up.
Jeff & I have been able to comfort one another through our Journey. Our Dear Lord has granted us both a Blessed Miracle!
May God Bless You, Jeff!

Fourth of all: Dr. Dodson, ( Forrest) My Transplant Surgeon, he is very Special to me. He always gave me a lot of encouragement & nicknamed me, "CHAMP". He is a very Caring Doctor and I will never forget him! He is moving to Louisiana, boy, are you people lucky to be getting him there!

Dr. Fung, (Chief of Surgeons) A Fine, Dedicated, Caring Doctor and a very Special Friend, who always gave me tons of, "HOPE"!

Dr. Jain, My Buddy, And a very Special Man who always told me to hold on and stay, "STRONG". (He is a very Dedicated and Caring Doctor)

Dr. Heraldo, A Wonderful and Caring Doctor who helped me through some rough times before and after my Transplant, he nicknamed me, "TROOPA".

And the rest of all the Great doctors at UPMC!
A Group of Wonderful, Dedicated, Caring Doctors ! May God Bless You All.

A Special Thank You to the Great Nurses, in the Intensive Care Unit, all your Special Care and Love is what gave me the boost I needed to get to the next level in my recovery! Even though I tried your patience a few times with my determination to get out of bed before I was supposed to. You were all Super!!!!
Thanks to each and everyone, especially Tracy, for being so kind to my family and helping to ease their minds with your Thoughtfullness or Encouraging Words.

To All The Wonderful Nurses and all the Staff, on 10D., who gave so much of yourselves, through a lot of hard work and true dedication.
I bet I beat the record of trying out every room on the floor with all my admissions. haha You probably got tired of seeing me, but you all treated my family and I with outermost respect and love. I'll never be able to thank you for the Wonderful Care, and all that you did to keep me Comfortable, and your daily Encouragement!
I could never begin to mention all your names, but I'll never forget any of you.
Thank You! & God Bless You.

I don't want to forget Sr. Mary Kay, what an inspiraton you were to me, and my family. You helped us through a lot of dark days. Thank You Sister!

All the Staff at Falk Clinic, mostly: Joanie and Chris,(my pre transplant coordinators) They both put alot of Love and Special dedication into their work! I know they were there for me when I needed them & that was quite a lot of times!!

Debbie, ( head pre transplant coordinator) who is so nice and very personable & who got me started on the Transplant Program.

Leah, (my post transplant coordinator) who is a Wonderful, Caring Person and Friend, who always makes sure that I am taking good care of myself since my transplant.

Marianne, (my Hepatitis C coordinator), (TOPS) who is no longer in Pittsburgh) but remains in contact with me & has become a very Special friend. She is now at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona

Linda, (my new Hepatitis C coordinator), who is so nice & is very Good at her job.

Terri, (the Blood Hematologist), who is no longer at Falk Clinic

Thank You all for putting up with my Calls! ( what a pest I've been) haha.

And everyone else who is involved with Falk Clinic. Because of all your True Dedication and Work, You "are", what makes the THOMAS E. STARZL TRANSPLANTATION INSTITUTE stand out, from all the rest!
Thank you all, for making my visits there, pleasant ones!

My Two wonderful Ohioan Doctors: Dr. Kenyhercz: ( My family doctor) who is so very Special to me, he's more then a caring doctor, he's my Friend! He is a Doctor with a "Happy Go Lucky Personality", that just makes you feel good, no matter how bad you feel!
Dr. Marino: ( My GI Specialist) another wonderful & caring doctor, who put me in the hands of the doctors at UPMC in Pittsburgh.

To my dedicated Home Care Nurse, "Lisa", who always kept my spirits up, was always there when I needed her, and became a special friend of mine. Thanks Lisa & I won't forget your stories! haha

@~>~ AGAIN THANK YOU! ~<~@ TO ALL THAT HELPED ME THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME!!!!!!

I wouldn't have made it without all your Love, Prayers and Support!

~~8-12-2000~~ "All My Love JoAnne"