My mother was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease, Scleroderma, complicated by CREST. She is and was an active, healthy, spirited lady that became critically ill around July 2 006. My mother became dependant on oxygen 24/7. We lost my father to Prostate cancer in Jan. of 2004.My mother is now fighting for her life a second time. She became very ill and was admitted into UCSF Medical Center on March 6, 2008 where she remains. My mother was placed on life support on March 19 and we were faced with some very difficult choices. She needed a LUNG Transplant and approximately 18 people a day die waiting for an organ. My mother's body was failing and she was suffering a temperature that she just couldn't get rid of. I sat vigil by her bed , talking to her and playing her sweet little granddaughters voices in her ear over and over. I really believed that we were going to have to say good bye. I am her only child and already losing my dad , I feared for more devastation to myself and family. On March 26, a miracle happened . The hospital found a match, a new set of lungs. My mother was given only a 2% chance of surviving, due to the Scleroderma lungs. About 4 hours into the surgery the O>R> nurse called up and told us she was losing too much blood and we needed to prepare ourselves. Again, we thought we lost her. About 12 hours of surgery by a incredibly gifted team she was somewhat stabilized. My mother lost 22 units of blood and they could not actually put her lungs in her chest and close her up. After a LONG night of wait and see, she was closed up and given a second chance. It has been a roller coaster ride for her and it is going to be a LONG recovery, but she is holding her own. She is still in ICU at UCSF-10 Moffitt. Her family and friends are doing fundraising to help offset the expenses related to post transplant. Please visit www.transplants.org and look up Sherry Hagerman  and please help, even if it is  a penny. It is a non profit 501 IRS recognized tax deductible organization, which helps save lifes. You can also learn how to be a donor and give the gift of life to someone else and their family. Another website set up is TuTuBenefit.com. My girls call my mother TUTU. May your lives be filled with love and laughter. AMEN  P.s. well wishes appreciated.