“Melissa”.... the rest of the story....

The OHP EFB approved Melissa’s request for funds and in December a donor was procured and a transplant was performed. Melissa returned home to the care of her daughters two months later. Melissa continues to undergo anti-rejection drug therapy as well as monthly drug screening.  She was required to stop methadone therapy prior to the surgery and is now on a low dose of tramadol (non-narcotic) as her only pain management. To this date she has maintained sobriety. In April, the following year Melissa began working part-time while attending OSU to obtain her bachelor’s degree. She worked as an administrative assistant in a group home for drug and alcohol dependent women who were either abused or pregnant and without resources. This program was loosely associated with CARDV in Corvallis. Melissa graduated from OSU with her bachelor’s degree in psychology two years later. Following that degree, she continued her education at OHSU through distance education. She is set to graduate again with her Masters in Social Work after completing her practicum in the field with patients referred by AFDC. She has already been hired by Children’s Service Division of Benton County and will be working as an intervention counselor. Melissa also works in a volunteer capacity for FISH, the GLEANERS, and Foodshare. 

“Tawny” is married and now lives in Texas with her husband and two children. “Sunshine” graduated from Corvallis High School and applied to the Nursing Program at LBCC. She took A & P through LBCC as a high school student.