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The Colt, February 11,1994Liver transplant shows the value of lifeDaphneCopelandA liver transplant moves forwardwith life filled with activities that influence many people. My mother, Mrs.FrancineCopeland, an ex-teacher whohad to give up her life, vocation and teaching because of the dangers of exposure, still finds ways to help others.At first, my mother was tested for tiredness and exhaustion for several months. The medical doctors diagnosed her with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She educated herself by reading books and documents about the syndrome. Almost everyday she would meditate and do special excercises to reduce the stress and induce the relaxation. My mom would periodically return for check-ups and tests to make sure she was improving. Instead of improvement, there was only more pain and twice as much exhaustion.“It seemed so matter what I did, nothing helped,” she said. “Once in a while I would feel like 1 was strongerand less stressed, but then it wouldstart all over again.”Our family doctor, Dr. Richard El lington, who happened to be a friend of my mom’s, insisted that she see a liver specialist at Baylor Medical Hospital in Dallas. She went through hours of testing to discover that it wasn’t Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that had drastically changed her life but liver cancer.“When they told me that my mom had cancer, the second the word cancer came out of my father’s mouth, my world stopped and a void took its place,” my brother Chris said. “I thought 1 was going to have to live my life without my mother.”The doctor’s research and testing discovered that surgery was possible. The chances of her living or even making it through the surgery were 30 percent.A couple of weeks later they told her of an operation they might consider doing, a transplant. She would be pul on a wailing list and when herliver matched a donor’s, the operation could be performed. There was a fee of $150,000 required before the OK from Baylor. Our family was unable to meet the financial fee, so we raised the money from family members, friends, churches, and canisters. Enough money was raised so that my mom received a beeper and was now on the waiting list. That Saturday, she was called and told that there was a liver awaiting her.“1 was so excited, confused and scared all at the same time. I didn’t know what to expect,” she said.Christmas passed, and we made sure not to open any gifts until our mother came home. She was moved to ICU where 1 had to lie to say I was old enough to sec my mom. Unfortunately, everybody in my family was ill except me. I stayed overnight and slept holding my mom’s hand. She gained a lot of weight due to the transfusions and medications. Not only was I shocked at how different she looked, but that she had six tubes stuck in her. I cried when I got home.Thoughts about myself kept enter ing my head. I had nightmares that mymom had died. My father would come in to comfort me and explain that I never was ungrateful to my mom. 1 remembered all the fights we had and when I would tell my friends that I hated her at times, no matter what my father told me, I thought that I was the worst daughter ever. From that day forward, I made sure that I would spend more time with her and be a better daughter.She came home and enjoyed her Christmas surprise, but it soon was a disappointment. Everything was going great until a notice from the insurance company came through the mail saying that the operation was an experimental procedure. They had refused to pay and made our familycome up with $350,(XX). There were funds set up to help us, though.Now, my mom has taken new insurance and retirement. No funds are being raised at this time. We all have struggled, but survived. Death is not something anybody wants to see. Thank goodness my mom is alive.For the past three years, my mom has been extremely healthy and made sure to lake care of herself. All transplant patients have no immune system, so therefore they have to take medications and see the doctor periodically for the rest fo their life. For instance, my mom lakes up to 26 pills a day for the rest of her life. If she doesn’t, she could become very ill or even die.My mom is part of a prayer group, talks to school classes, is an officer in a group called “Lively Livers,” chairperson of a volunteer group working with awaiting transplant patients, and a member of a health care committee at our church. Her life and experiences arc a perfect example of strong will power and laith. Many people ask us why we didn’t sue the insurance company. Well, we thought about it, but if we won they couldn’t have paid the whole amount and it would have cost us to pay court fees, which arc expensive. We won our mother back. That is the only thing that matters.“1 would rather pay a $2(X) bill twice a month then not to have a life at all,” she said. “God gave me a second chance and I am determined to do everything I can to teach and help others with the value of life.”
Newspaper Details
Arlington Colt
Arlington, Texas, US
Fri, Feb 11, 1994
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Francine C.
USA 02 Jul 2018
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