Liver Biopy Update and Benefit Update

Hi everyone,
Sorry it's taken a while to update. Alison's liver biopsy revealed that she had cholestasis, which is pretty nonspecific and could have been minor to quite serious. Thank God, it appears to be minor. We firmly believe that this was caused by the crohn's medication that Alison's gastroenterologist insisted she start taking again. It was after her first injection since the transplant, that we saw the ill effects. Needless to say, she will not take this medication again. It appears that the medication has not had long term effects, as Alison's liver enzymes have now come down to almost normal-she got this news yesterday, along with the news that her pleural effusions are gone. We are so very relieved-Alison is so happy. Alison does now have a cold-we were pretty concerned as we did not know how her body would be able to fight this. So far, she seems to be doing well and we found an over the counter cold medication that is safe for her to take and seems to be helping.

Alison's big focus these days is classes and appears to be "itching" to get back to activities. It's been pretty challenging to be so restricted-she has not been able to go to malls, restaurants or any activities that involved numbers of people-a tough order with college and sorority activities everywhere. Hopefully, once the flu season is over, the restrictions will lighten a bit. Another focus, of course, is the ALI'S ANGELS BENEFIT CONCERT. If you have not done so already, please purchase your tickets ASAP. It is sure to be a wonderful evening to honor Alison and John--and raise money to benefit families of individuals facing a liver transplant and donor families. We have already learned of a young family with a 3 month old who is facing a transplant and can use our help-please support this important fundraiser.

Hope all is well with everyone out there.
Joe and Karen

Unofficial results of liver biopsy

We received information that there does seem to be a cause for Alison's elevated liver enzymes. We are presently not sure if it is anything serious or not. Please continue to pray that the official results will indicate that the elevated enzymes will be easily reversed.
As always,
Joe and Karen

RESERVED TICKETS going fast for ALI'S ANGELS BENEFIT CONCERT

Dear family and friends,

RESERVED TICKETS are going fast for the ALI'S ANGELS BENEFIT CONCERT. Many
individuals did not realize that tickets are by reservation and not just general
seating. We have also been told that Benefit Concerts run by the Performing
Arts Center in the past have sold out. So, if you have not reserved your
ticket(s) for the ALI’S ANGELS BENEFIT CONCERT in honor of Alison and her donor,
John, we encourage you to do so AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Just to remind you of the details; the concert is scheduled for Saturday,
February 27th and will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Edgerton Center for the
Performing Arts at Sacred Heart University (SHU). Tickets are on sale for $20
and available through the SHU Box Office, 203-371-7908, Monday through Friday,
12-4 p.m.

DONATIONS can also be made to the event. Please see the attached Event
Sponsorship Form. Please make donation checks out to Yale-New Haven Children's
Hospital, be sure to note ALI'S ANGELS FUND on donation checks. Checks can be sent to The Performing Arts Center of CT, 18 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611.

All proceeds will go into a special Ali’s Angels fund at Yale New Haven
Children’s Hospital for families of children and adults facing a liver
transplant and donor families to help cover costs incurred throughout the
transplant and donor processes.

This concert promises an evening to remember- uplifting, heartwarming and fun.
So, come out to celebrate with Alison, John and our families.

We look forward to seeing you on February 27th.

Joe and Karen

Liver Biopsy Today

Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Alison had a liver biopsy today. Her liver enzymes have been high for the past several weeks and the doctors decided yesterday that it was necessary to see what is going on. After a very long afternoon of waiting, Alison finally went in for the procedure, she did well but is now very uncomfortable. We will be here for the next couple of hours as she needs to be watched for potential bleeding, etc.

Overall, Alison has been doing well over the past several weeks, some difficulties with her stomach but she start taking a few courses back at Sacred Heart. She also moved in to the house with her roommates and sister. Hopefully, things are moving in the right direction and this biopsy will not reveal anything too concerning. Please pray that she will have a smooth recovery and that whatever is causing her liver enzymes to be elevated will be easily rectified.

Hope all is well with everyone. Don't forget to call for your tickets to the Ali's Angels Benefit Concert. Ticket are going fast and it is reserved seating. From what we hear, benefit concerts like this one have sold out in the past. There was an article in the Trumbull Times yesterday about John's amazing gift to Alison as well as the Benefit. It was similar to the article in the Fairfield Citizen that have been posted on the blog-we are very happy about the publications as they provide opportunities to acknowledge John's wonderful act of giving, educate the public about organ donation and inform people about the benefit.

Have a good weekend,
Karen and Joe