MAUREEN

[Guest guest]

Maureen

Thank you so much for your support. I was hoping I would hear from

you. I got back this evening from spending a wonderful weekend with

my daughter Marcy who will be turning 13 next month. My husband and

I took her and 5 of her friends to an indoor waterpark in Erie, PA

to celebrate. Although it was a month early, we thought it was

appropriate since we didn't know what next month would bring. Marcy

had a great time and it was wonderful to just be able to give her my

undivided attention. Todd stayed home with his dad and who

came home on Friday night. They had a nice weekend together also.

seems to be in good spirits, but hasn't wanted to talk about

the testing. I am sure things might change tomorrow morning when we

go to the transplant center. I hope and pray that when the time is

right that would reach out to for pointers. I will

surely mention it after we find out if is a suitable donor. I

try not to think too much about standing between 2 gurneys, as I

know it is premature, but sometimes it is very difficult to keep my

mind from wondering there. Fortunately, I will have the support of

my husband to fall on that unfortunately you didn't have. But the

thought of my two boys going through the transplant is sometimes an

unbearable thought for this mom.

We start the tests tomorrow at 9:30am. They said he will be done

about 2:00pm. Tomorrow sounds like it will be a lot of

psychological testing and also meeting with a hepatologist. On

Tuesday will have a ct scan, pulmanary function and

echocardiogram. Wednesday he will meet with the transplant surgeons

and the anestesia team. Thursday is the liver biopsy and Friday the

angiogram. I know they wont do the testing on Thurs and Friday if

he at that point has not been found suitable. Did have the

same testing? When did you find out he was a suitable donor? I

would love to talk to you about your experiences and what I need to

prepare for at the appropriate time. I thank you from the bottom of

my heart for your prayers, help, knowledge and support.

In answer to your question about it being an adult to child

transplant, I can't answer that. I will be sure to ask tomorrow

though. I would assume since Todd is having his transplant done by

the pediatric team and through the pediatric dept. of the

Starzl Transplant Center and 's part is all being handled

through the adult side it would be adult to child, but that is just

a guess.

I must try to get some sleep...although it will be difficult. I

will keep you posted throughout the week.

Thanks again.

God bless,

Joanne (mom of Todd, 17, psc 12/01, crohns 1/02, listed 7/03)