I was so tired and sick all the time. I relied on my doctors’ word, and thought I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (Sometimes a doctor’s excuse for your illness, when they can't figure out what is wrong with you)
I went from one Specialist to another and many unnecessary surgeries, only to find out; in 1989 I had Hepatitis C. (A very chronic and debilitating disease)

Sometimes Hepatitis C takes many years to surface. And by the time most people find out they have it, it has already damaged the liver.
In some cases it can be treated with Interferon to stop the damage.
And now there is a new treatment (Peg Interferon) it has recently been FDA approved. Ask your doctor about it.
But for some, who can't be treated, can end up having a Liver Transplant.

From the time I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in "1989" till "1996", my liver numbers went up and my blood platelets went down, still stumped, the doctors thought I had Leukemia.
Another round of Specialists, and no one, yet knew how to treat me. (I was still relying on their words.)

I was sick for so many years, thinking I always had the flu. Not understanding what was really wrong with me.
There were many days I would get up feeling all achy and tired. Just taking a shower wore me out. I would have to lie down & rest to gain enough strength to get myself dressed.
I had night sweats, thinking it was Change of Life. (Little did I know)
I went through many bouts of depression, because, I felt so inadequate. (What kind of a Wife and Mother was I?)
Plus the uncertainty of what was really wrong with me.

My poor family didn't know what was wrong with me and had no idea of what to do for me. I couldn't even partake in some of our family outings because of feeling so tired and sick.

Through all of this, I had a nervous breakdown in 1993 & was hospitalized for several weeks. During this time, I grew "Strong" mentally & knew with the Grace of God, I would be able to rise above anything that was handed to me.
But it still was a hard journey!! Mentally I was strong but my body was not corresponding.
I continued to feel sick everyday, and still didn't have an answer to why I was feeling this way.

I started searching for new answers!
I was compelled to find a doctor that would take this matter serious, know what Hepatitis C was all about and what could be done to help me.

I finally found two wonderful doctors, who knew exactly what was wrong with me, and what needed to be done now

Immediately, I was sent for a Liver Biopsy, and was told I had Cirrhosis of the Liver. My condition was bad. (A lot of precious time was wasted, because of negligence and being misdiagnosed for so many years)

In February 1997, I became very ill, and was sent to UPMC Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. A very fine Hospital, where I was seen by many wonderful doctors, who ordered another Liver Biopsy, 32 tubes of blood & many other tests. Finally I was on the right track, but a little too late!

I was told at that time; I was in the End Stage of Liver Disease and needed a Liver Transplant. I would be placed on a Transplant List immediately, and that it could take from 1 to 3 yrs. of waiting.

The news of this put me in a state of shock, (This can't be happening to me, I thought!) My world came crashing down!
Would I have, "enough time"??
Would my "Husband & I share another year together"?
Would I, "see my Grandchildren grow up"?
As a Mother, every question went through my head.

I turned to God, knowing he had a reason for this happening to me, and he did. He helped me to grow into a very Strong Christian and Individual who new I had to fight this or lose the game.
My life became God's, turning it all over to him!! (Knowing, He was, the only one in Control)

I knew I had to win, because I had to show others, how the power of Prayer works! And God really tested me, believe me!

During that time of waiting, I grew sicker and sicker by the day! I developed a tremendous amount of Fluid (ascities) in my legs & abdomen.
I had severe cramps in every muscle and joint.
I was nauseated constantly. And I had intense itching all over my body (I thought I'd lose my mind!)
I became incoherent, and had to rely solely, on my family to take care of me.
At times I lost touch with reality, because of High Ammonia levels in my blood. (A condition known as Encephalitis, which can lead to a coma)

Months passed on, and I didn't think I would make it to the next day, but with the Power of God & my Strong Faith I Trudged on. I couldn’t and wouldn’t give up!!

I was called to Pittsburgh for 9 Livers, only to find out, that they were not a match, or someone more critical than I needed them.
Anxiety took over, but I never gave up & continued to pray! I knew God would not forsake me!

On February 19, 1998, my 32nd Wedding Anniversary, I was taken to Pittsburgh because I could not breathe.
I was told, the wall around my right lung was full of fluid, and it needed to be drained immediately!

I had 53 liters of fluid drained from that lung, in a period of 3wks. time. I was so weak and so sick, I could hardly function.

At home, my bedroom became my Sanctuary. I had to be fed, bathed and dressed.
My time was running out. The doctors told me to hang on, that a Liver would come through soon!
I held on to every shred of hope & remained faithful to my Lord! I would not give up!

My liver numbers continued to rise, as my skin started to turn yellow; my Creatine & Bun were at their peak; my RBC & WBC were out of range; things were beginning to shut down, as I grew sicker, and needed a liver soon!
I waited patiently for the phone to ring or for my beeper to go off.

I continued to pray, and ask God, "Please let me see a new day!

Well, on March 28, 1998, (Thirteen Months Later & the 10th Call) I was granted a "NEW LIFE" I received my "MIRACLE GIFT."
A gift that was given to me unselfishly, from My Wonderful Donor Family. Even though they were grieving over the loss of their Loved One, they graciously gave me a gift to save my life.
Because of this precious gift, an Angel lives on through me, and I am daily reminded of this Miraculous Gift. A day does not go by that I don't offer my Thankfulness to God and my Blessed Donor Family.
Without this Precious Gift of Life, I would not be here today.

The saddest part of this Transplant for me, is knowing that a young boy had to be taken from his life, in order to save mine.
In a story I recently heard, God says, "it is more gracious to give, than to receive, and the rewards will be high, for all those who live up to these words".
In this I take great comfort, knowing that my Donor Angel, will be richly rewarded for his Precious Gift, which was given to me. And for this I am eternally Grateful!

The Surgery was a Success! & I was out of the Hospital in Fifteen Days, with no complications
I was sent home to live "MY NEW LIFE!" Whoever said, "Miracles do not happen"?
I am living proof, that if you pray & believe with all your heart, Miracles do happen!!!!!!!!
My Life is truly a Miracle

(2wks later:)

Easter Sunday the day I was released from the hospital. (What an appropriate day)
When I stepped out of the hospital, that glorious sunny day, I raised my head to the Lord, with a smile on my face:), and said," Thank you Lord, for this New Day! And my New Life! (What a Joyful Day!!!!!)

The Liver Transplant was a Success and I passed my 3-6 month critical time, with no rejection and no infection.

But the Hepatitis was another story! 8 Months after my transplant in 1998 I was told, my Hepatitis C was back in full swing, and was advised to go on Treatment to help kill the virus.( having a transplant does not get rid of the Hepatitis, it still lives on in the blood.)
Pondering over it for a month, (because of the side effects) I finally decided to give it a Shot!
I went on a Combination Drug Treatment of Interferon & Ribavirin.
The Interferon, was by a shot that I gave myself 3 times a week. And the Ribavirin was in a pill form taken daily.
I was told that I might become sick, with the worst flu-like symptoms, but, if I could make it through the first 3 months, I would have the symptoms licked.
Well, with the Strong Constitution, that I have I knew I could conquer those 3 months. Which I did! I am not saying that the side effects were not bad, because they were, but I fought it, knowing I had a chance at beating this Hepatitis C.
The total treatment lasted 18 months.
With the Interferon, I had the flu aches, nausea and very tired. (But we go through that just having Hepatitis C, so that was not a big deal for me.)
The Ribavirin was a little bit harder to endure.
First of all, my Red Blood Count dropped down low, and I became a very tired and short of breath. So I was started on Epogen Shots weekly.
Then I developed Kidney Stones in both Kidney's (a side effect that they found out through me) I had to be hospitalized & had to have 2 Stints put in the Kidneys, for the Kidney Stones to pass through.
They also put me on a drug called Allipurinol to break up the Stones, and keep them from turning into large ones.

Ribavirin makes you feel depressed and in most cases you are put on a Mild Antidepressant, which I was able to bypass.
I made it through all of the 18 months of Treatment, of both the Interferon and Ribavirin, but don't think I didn't put up a fight (haha).
Sadly to say, I didn't clear the Virus, but God has his reasons for that.
Still I am so grateful for my Second Chance at Life through the Beautiful Miracle he has granted me.

My Viral Count (PCR) is still high, but my Liver Enzymes remain low and in range. Which means that at this time the Hepatitis is not affecting the New Liver, Praise God!!
This Virus is a hard thing to go through, but new Treatments, are on the way!!!
We must stay strong, support others, and pray that God will give the doctors the knowledge to find a cure for this dreadful Hepatitis C Virus.

One month after completing that grueling treatment, I was able to fulfill a dream of mine. And that was to compete in the Transplant Olympic Games 2000(June).
In which I didn't win a medal for finishing first, but won a Gold Medal from my Family for recognition of being a "WINNER" in their eyes!!
I am one Lucky Lady, wouldn't you say?

God has truly blessed me in more ways than ONE!!!
Never say, "You can’t", because through God, we can do anything we want if we put all our trust and faith in him.

(Updated News as of 1-13-2002)
On March 28, of this year I will be celebrating my 4th year transplant anniversary, even though I still have Hepatitis C, I am so happy and proud to say, that I am doing "Fantastic!!”

My Liver numbers look great! Praise the Lord!!! I can do more now, than I could do when I was in my Thirties. My family can't keep up with me (haha).

None of us knows what the future holds.
Our Lives are in The Hands of "The LORD"

But for today, "I live". I try not to think about "tomorrow". I take one day at a time!