09/06/03

 News Flash!

 Teri has a new liver and a new life! Margaret's liver is working perfectly! The surgeries happened July 12th 2002 at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco.  Thank you very much for all of your prayers, encouragement and support! Go to the “Breaking News” page for details!

Margaret's Website Dedicated to the

Transplant Journey

of her Mother Mary Gray

(aka Teri!)

A PROMISE OF TOMORROW'S

The purpose of this effort is to help my Mom. A woman that has survived difficult and seemingly hopeless times. A woman who has picked herself up whenever she is down. A woman who has an iron will and a heart of gold.

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you,

they're supposed to help you discover who you are. 

--Bernice Johnson Reagon               

Teri has been awaiting a life-saving liver transplant since August of 1999, and although she has an insurance policy, many of her needs are not covered and must be paid for out of pocket. This has put an immense strain on the family and making ends meet has become increasingly more difficult. This fund raising effort is intended to lessen that strain so that Teri and her family can concentrate more on her care and well being and not solely on financial worries.

Burdened as she is with these ongoing and more frequently occurring problems, Teri has carried on. Her dogged determination and incredible will to live has so far gotten her through this terribly difficult time.

For years now, Teri has endured, by praying for the promise of a tomorrow in which she can simply play with her children again.

Life is a promise; fulfill it.
~Mother Theresa

Teri has a positive outlook and has been unbelievably courageous throughout her struggle. Despite a critical shortage of organ donors and a possible waiting time of years for a liver transplant, Teri is optimistic about receiving this second chance at life soon.

I cannot stress enough, how this transplant will leave Teri and her family with an enormous financial burden to shoulder. There are several aspects of her care (such as the lifelong regimen of anti-rejection drugs) which are not covered or just partially covered by her insurance carrier and must be paid for by Teri out of pocket.

But, you don’t have to take my word for it. Explore this website for more information.

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Dear kind friends,

Thank you so much for helping with this important endeavor! Everyone’s kindness and generosity overwhelm me! When I spoke with my Mom Mary, and family about all of the offers of support, they were very moved.  I have felt so alone dealing with everything; it has been a tremendous relief to have support.  Being active in support of my Mom throughout her illness has brought so much peace.  I am very proud of my mom’s strength and courage as well.  When well enough, she has been speaking at community forums discussing her disease, transplant, and organ donation awareness.  She has gained peace and power over her illness by these activities.  It is my hope that all involved in her fight may gain peace, power, and the knowledge that they too, have made a difference!

I also, would like to tell everyone more of my Mom’s story, so that you may know her better:

Mary is the proud Mother of four daughters.  I am one of her grown twin daughters!  My twin sister Catherine has a daughter --Cruz whom my Mom adores!  Mary, is also the Mother of my sisters Annie and Jessie.  While, Annie was born severely handicapped, and cannot speak nor walk, she is known to all as, “our little angel”, and brings joy and smiles to everyone she meets! Mary’s daughter Jessie is a very bright girl who loves to ride horses! Not only is she on the honor roll, but she recently was named student of the month for the second time!  My Mom is married to a wonderful, hardworking man, Gary Gray.  Gary is a devoted father who has been lovingly taking on the chores my Mom has been unable to perform since her illness. He has discovered he is a wonderful cook!  Gary's strength and courage has kept the whole family going! Before her illness, my Mom was a school bus driver for the handicapped.  (I often tease her and draw parallels between her and the bus driver on “South Park”!  Hee Hee!)  Mary’s interests include stained glass making, dollhouse building, and shopping!  She makes incredible fudge and chocolate cake!         In January 1999, Mary was rushed to the emergency room.  She had a blinding migraine headache that had been plaguing her for months.  She quickly became jaundiced and swollen.  The doctors performed many tests and gave us devastating news – end-stage liver disease due to Hepatitis C!  Without a transplant my Mom would die!  Mary was put on medications that brought her symptoms under control.  In August 1999, Mary was put on the waiting list for organ transplantation at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.  The wait will be a long one because there are not enough donors available.  One person every two hours dies while awaiting transplantation.  I have made a vow not to let my Mom be one of them!! This is why your help is important!  My Mom, family, and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Margaret

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