Dear Naomi

I just submitted a request for Naomi Judd to speak at the fundraiser. On the small chance that she or her people might look at this blog, allow me to explain myself.

I'm a determined daughter of a feisty woman who raised two kids by herself. She worked two and three jobs at a time, took in countless misfit kids who had lost their way, and was still there as my class mom and never missed any of my brother's little league games. She was my best friend well into college. She had several abdominal surgeries (9 total between 1979 & 2009) before fibromyalgia knocked her on her backside and she retired on disability before 40. She was diagnosed with NASH in 2009, and doctors have determined that her liver failure is the result of exposure to hepatitis B while working with prisoners, a genetic condition called primary biliary cirrhosis, and too much pressure on her gut from all the surgeries (specifically the one that started it all in 1979; a failed gastric bypass that resulted in multiple corrective operations). Bedridden, my mom feels she has no purpose without helping people, and the loss of her independence makes her feel weak and forgotten.

I am her sole caregiver. We struggle constantly with the role reversal involved in being her caregiver, and over finances and guilt; she feels guilty that she can't pay me and I can't work while taking care of her, and I feel guilty that I'm financially dependent on her and that I'm not contributing to the household bills. We just got the call the other day from UCLA that Mom is moving forward with the process. We're waiting for UCLA to schedule a five day assessment to determine her eligibility for transplant. Her MELD score is low, but she has major problems with ascites and hepatic encephalopathy (www.hesback.com), so the only realistic option is a living donor. I'm hoping I am a match.

In the meantime, I try to raise funds for the american liver foundation. The only way to beat this is to know thine enemy, so research and education are key. Research yields new treatments and possible cures. Education leads to prevention. I've learned this; sadly, people don't care about liver disease unless someone they love is affected by it. This fundraiser is going to be tons of fun, a great way for the community to get involved and showcase their talent (artistic talent! Nothing hinky), and raise funds and awareness for liver disease. Any help, any shout out, anything at all would be so awesome! Paint a nightstand? ;)