David Ballinger

janeugene@mchsi.com

I live in Stanford, IL.

I am a Piano Technician (disabled).

I like all  Colors  but lime green

My favorite books and movies are Poison Wood Bible, Cry the Beloved Country, Dogma.

My favorite music is folk bluegrass, alternative, and sophisticated rock (e.g. Pink Floyd).

My favorite pastime is canoeing, reading, music, woodworking, reef aquarium, and plants.

For pets, I have a Maine coon cat and Shetland Sheepdog.

My favorite quote is "If a tree don't fall on me I'll live till I die."

9/25/2004 I was born in 1952 and diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver at 11 months. My spleen was removed due to trauma in 1971. At the age of 20, I developed kidney stones. They eventually developed into a chronic condition. I had a heart attack in 1994. I got serious about getting in shape and eventually was swimming 1 mile a day and working on learning the butterfly. In 1999 I started having a chronic cough that would not quit. Asthma, emphysema, COPD, Bronchiectasis were all suggested. In 2001, we went to National Jewish where I was diagnosed as Alpha 1 Deficient. So I finally had a name for my problem and a reason for my liver disease. Compared to most stories I have heard, I was diagnosed early. But living with chronic illness all my life I learned to take charge of my own health care. I kept investigating until I was satisfied. I think anyone with chronic illness should take this philosophy.

Currently, I'm being followed for possible hepatocellular carcinoma. If that is positive I will be on a TX list providing there is no metastases.

This is my story. Now I am trying to be as active as possible in the community. I am trying to get the support group going again and I will represent the Association in the ALF Liver walk in Chicago. I don't want to waste any more of my life and this keeps my mind occupied. Our priest tells us if you are depressed the best thing to do is to help someone.

1/1/2006 In Dec. of 2004 I was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. My lesions were too large to put me on the transplant list. The doctors at Northwestern told me a living donor was my only chance. My wife and two sisters-in-law were evaluated and declined. I had resigned myself to face the inevitable. My oldest daughter was upset at her work when she confided to a coworker the situation. This girl volunteered to be evaluated and proved to be a match. We met her on a Friday and had the surgery the following Monday. She went home after 5 days and outside of a few issues is doing well. I stayed after 1 week up there because of testing. After going home I had to return in August for surgery to repair my bile duct. Now finally I am regaining my strength, swimming again and hope to return to work. Every day I wake up amazed and thank God for my angel.

Thank you and God Bless

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