Mother's prayers answered

How to contribute Annemarie Roe Boucher is registered with the non-profit National Transplant Assistance Fund (www.transplantfund.org/) to help defray the cost of her medical bills. All donations are tax-deductible. Checks should be addressed to: "NTAF Pancreas/Intestine Transplant Fund." In the memo area, note "In honor of Annemarie Roe Boucher". Contributions may be sent to: National Transplant Assistance Fund, Suite 230, 3475 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073. Keep track of Annemarie's progress via her web site, www.geocities.com/helpannemarie/

APPLETON -- For Connie Roe of St. Joseph Parish, an 11th hour miracle is undeniably better than no miracle at all. And she should know.

On May 18, her daughter, Annemarie Roe Boucher, finally received the multiple organ transplant she desperately needed after waiting more than five months for a match (Compass, 2/15/02). What is truly miraculous is that on May 15 doctors told Anne's parents that she possibly had only 48 hours to live.

"The days before Anne's transplant, I prayed and prayed to make her well and things kept getting worse and worse. At last I just started praying for God to do what is best for Anne and took myself out of the picture and it was then that the organs came," says Connie. "I hope this doesn't sound silly but it was as though he was trying tell me to trust him and I couldn't let go, but when I finally realized, in my heart, that he's in control, not me, that's when things turned."

Since the surgery, Connie has watched her 32-year-old daughter (who also is a member of St. Joseph) progress slightly each day. It is expected that Anne will remain in the intensive care unit at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for 4-8 more weeks before moving to a standard room.

The two biggest milestones since surgery were June 5 when Anne's doctor performed a tracheostomy to begin weaning Anne off the respirator, and then last week when she was able to sit up for several consecutive hours.

Since the weaning process began, Anne "has been more alert and responsive. It is so wonderful to see her beautiful smile again," says Connie.

Anne was originally scheduled to receive half of a stomach, a small intestine and a pancreas when she met with doctors and surgeons six months ago. But while awaiting an organ match, the disease -- Short Bowel Syndrome -- progressed to her liver. Her condition became so grave that doctors in Pittsburgh hooked her to an experimental liver dialysis machine, which is rarely used because its treatment time is for approximately 10 days only. Anne is only the 27th person in the country to use the liver dialysis machine.

Anne was diagnosed with Short Bowel Syndrome 10 years ago when all but 30 inches of her small intestine was removed. Doctors speculate that the radiation treatments she underwent at age 12 led to the disease.

Before her May surgery, Anne attributed her fighting spirit to God and her two daughters. Anne has often said God must have a plan for her since she keeps beating some incredible odds. And, like any parent, she has an incredible desire to live so she can watch her two daughters grow up and, God willing, graduate and get married.

Connie made a brief return to Appleton last week and helped Anne's daughters pack for a short trip to Pittsburgh. Beth Ann, a seventh-grader at St. Joseph Middle School, and Amanda, a fifth-grader at Catholic Central School, have been away from their mom for more than three months.

The girls said while in Pittsburgh they plan to see, hug and kiss their mom and bring her up to date on their lives.

"As a result of their extra efforts, Beth finished the year on the Honor Roll and Amanda greatly improved her grades and study habits," Connie said. "They have written letters, designed get-well cards and made posters that were signed by classmates, teachers and friends. We will bring the posters with us to Pittsburgh."

Doctors hope Anne is able to return home to Appleton in six months for what will surely be a merry Christmas in the Roe and Boucher homes.