Jett-Scherder ( MO) CaringBridge update

[Guest guest]

Once again, I am praying for a living donor transplant to work out for our

support group's own MO ( & I know many of you here in this group are

praying alongside me!)! Here's her CaringBridge site address:

www.caringbridge.org/visit/melaniejs

and for your convenience, below is her " latest " (exciting) post, which

mentions plans to leave tomorrow (Monday) for Cleveland. She had only 2

journal entries this last week, but as they were humdingers, perhaps some

PSC Support members might want to venture back in her CB site to catch up?

If so, then, while you're there, please consider signing her guest book (I'm

sure she will appreciate & cherish every word of encouragement).

To quote , " ...I need you all to keep the faith. It's easier for me

when I know you all are believing for the best with me... "

Thanks & love,

Maureen ( & Jim)

SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2007 04:59 PM, CDT

I'm here with one last update (I hope) before I leave for Cleveland on

Monday morning. I received a message from my gynecologist & she stated that

the cyst on my right ovary is a simple cyst, very different from the looks

of a cancerous one. She did not mention the invisible left ovary, but did

say that if I, or CCF, felt better she'd do a CA125 (ovarian cancer

indicator). I don't believe it's " necessary " but will most likely have her

do the blood work just so we don't have to address that again any time soon.

The mass on my upper spine is scheduled to be examined, via MRI, on

Thursday, July 19 at 9:30 a.m. It is certainly the source of these strange

headaches and dizzy spells because they will come and go as I change the

position of my head. I'm eager (maybe anxious is a better word) to see what

this is & what the game plan is, since it will probably need to be removed.

I'm going to take my orders for the MRI of my spine, and the Mammogram with

me to CCF and see if they will do them while I'm there. In fact, depending

on what all is involved for the cystoscopy I may see if they will do that,

as well. I should have enough time, if they can fit me in.

Lastly, providing some hope, is the fact that Tabitha will be traveling with

me. CCF reviewed her MRI from , but have NOT eliminated her. She

begins testing Monday with a CT & ends Wednesday with an (yes, another) MRI.

They said they will take the CT pics & send them to Germany where they will

create a 3D image of her liver, to be reviewed. They told her initially that

she wouldn't have to repeat all of the testing that was done at , but

12 appts. sure sounds like they're covering it all, again, to me. As long as

GHP or Medicare pays for it, that's fine, if that's what they feel they need

to do to be convinced that surgery is safe for her. Tab is hoping not to

have to return to CCF unless or until we go to surgery, so she's up for

whatever they ask her to do while we're there.

Tab has an older sister who lives just outside of Cleveland so she'll be

able to visit with her next week, and she'll have her close by should we go

to surgery. I like that, and the fact that she'll have a place to stay to

recover other than the hospital and/or Guest House.

I'd like to share some other good things in my life. My daughter celebrates

her 1 year anniversary tomorrow and I'm so excited to be here for it.

Watching her change and grow with Steve is a gift! I know it's been more

difficult for them since they've had to take care of so many things for me,

and of course the near transplant disappointment, but they've come through

it all and I couldn't be happier for them! Congrats, Anda and Steve!

Also, I joined the Lions Club at the beginning of the year and it's proven

to be one of the best things I've done for myself in a long time. I have met

some amazing people and have gotten incredible support from several of them.

I was asked to join the board & take on the " Publications " side of things, &

have been having a ball with it! I've had some of these people take me along

for fun & frolic, and others have sent me emails offering to do my shopping

& cleaning (an offer which I may soon need to accept). Others are quick with

wonderful compliments & a reminder that they are in the fight with me &

truly have their hearts involved. At Thursday's meeting, our new president

prayed an awesome prayer for me that just about broke the dam! These new,

genuine friends are the perfect gift, especially at this juncture in my

life. You add these new buddies to my old buddies (yes, that includes you

all here!) and I feel like the luckiest woman alive! It brings tears to my

eyes every time I think about what a risk being friends with me is - the

potential loss - and that they're willing to stick it out with me & do what

they can. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I will keep everyone posted on how things go at CCF, as I will have my

computer with me. I will have some time on my hands if they are not able to

schedule my additional testing, while Tab is going through the eval. I'm

hoping to see again while I'm there, too, so it could prove to be

somewhat relaxing. Although, compared to my last CCF visit, having a

lobotomy would quite possibly be the only thing more stressful!!! :-)

Take care and know that I need you all to keep the faith. It's easier for me

when I know you all are believing for the best with me.

With my utmost gratitude,