Megan Update

Just got the call with the update on Megan….

Megan is out of surgery and in recovery; doing well. The dr. stated that the lining of her stomach (paratenium?) was attached to the base of her stomach and it is supposed to be “floating”. There was scar tissue that attached itself to the stomach so he cut it away. They also removed her appendix. The doc was pretty positive that the pain was from the attached paratenium…so that is good news.

She is in recovery, should be in her own room within an hour and was told she could even go on her school field trip on Friday if she was feeling up to it. Thanks for all your prayers, they seem to be working!!

On a Sidenote

Miss Megan and Aunt Krissy
I know that this is a blog about Jessica, but I don't think she will mind if I take the spotlight off of her for a bit!



Jessica's cousin, Megan, is going in for surgery tomorrow (Wed 4/30) morning, so I'm just asking for lots and lots of prayers for her! She has been fighting a painful battle for over a year now and the doctors are stumped to say the least. Megan has been a trooper with all of the tests that she has gone through in the past year and she just wants to be done.



So now I'm asking you all for lots of prayers, good thoughts and virtual hugs for Megan!

Fundraising Efforts

The fundraising is going great!!!!

I have raised around $81 so far and a week left!!!! So far most of the students are really into it and I showed the news clip on Friday.

I just wanted to let Jessica know that a lot of my friends think that this is really cool and they totally have your back!!!!!!!!!

XOXOXOXO,
HEIDI

A Mini Update

Yep I am back on the 4x8 relay team and I kinda feel bad for the other girl (I'm not sure if she wants me to say her name) because she really liked the 4x8 but at least we both have someone to push each other with. I ran a 6.19 mile which is the best I have ran this year, I have also been dropping my time more and more. I also ran a 2.47 - 800 meter run; now my legs are exhausted and I still have another meet tomorrow.

Other Updates:

• Prom is this weekend and I am soooo excited
• I try for my license on Tuesday April 29th

I want to thank every one that has written good things about me and thanks for the memories...even though I don't remember a lot of them. I do remember the Pigeon Falls one and I even have a souvenir.

Oh and I also remember in dialysis when I would get into saline solution fights with the nurses and doctors. I also have a slight confession that when I stayed in the hospital I would get bored, so I would push the nurse button and they would ask what was wrong and I would just tell them I did it on accident. (bear in mind that I was only 7 and I had no idea that was for emergency's).

ttyl,
Jessica

Tidbits from Grandma and Grandpa K

A note from Grandma K

Grandpa and I have enjoyed watching Jessica grow into the young lady that she is now.

She is a lot of fun and enjoys our gatherings and being with all of her cousins. I must say, that she is not above a little mischief.

One Halloween when she was on dialysis, she wanted to do something for her friends who were also on dialysis. She and I bought some plastic gloves and spent an afternoon painting finger nails and rings on them. We filled them with popcorn and she took them in when she went in for her appointment.

One of Jess’s favorite places to eat is Chipoltes. Every time we took a trip to the cities, we had to stop at Chipoltes. There was one time that Jess was a bit disappointed! We stopped and she ordered her burrito, but, she had just been to the dentist, and could not open her mouth wide enough to bite it. She had to just nibble on the end. That burrito lasted a long time!!!

Another day we took the kids to zoo. We rented a stroller for the two little boys to ride in. You guessed it! The little boys walked and the two older girls rode in the stroller. There were sure a lot of looks and giggles over that one.

Good luck at your race, Jess. Grandpa and I are behind you all the way.
We love you.

Jessica Makes it on TV (again!)

Check out the link below! News story that was aired in La Crosse, WI!

Reported by Aaron Matas

Jessica Hubbard-Representing Wisconsin
We first introduced you to Jessica Hubbard last fall. When Jessica was just 8 years old she needed a kidney transplant to save her life. Her dad, James, donated his kidney. Just about 8 years later Jessica is thriving, but she now needs help of a much different kind.

Jessica is a sophomore at Melrose-Mindoro High School and although doctors said her athletic ability would be limited she plays basketball and runs track and cross country. In fact she was named to the 1st team all-conference cross country team. Because of her athletic success and the obvious success she is having with her transplant, Jessica has been asked to compete at the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games.

The games will be held this July in Pittsburgh and their goals are to showcase transplant success and call attention to the need for organ donors.

Jessica's family and friends are throwing a fundraiser for her on June 21st. They want to help her raise money to get to the games because Jessica says she would love to compete in Pittsburgh. "Well I think it would be fun," says Jessica, "and to meet other people that have been through the same things. And some of the money that I am getting from the fundraiser I'm going to donate to the hospital."

Jessica's benefit will be held on June 21st at Melrose-Mindoro High School. It starts at 8 in the morning. The day includes a 5k run/walk which is $20 to enter, a kick ball tournament which is $30 per team, and there is much more.

If you would like to help out by volunteering or donating contact Tina Braun at 272-3012.

Otherwise if you'd like to help out but can't make the benefit, monetary donations can be sent to:
The Co-Op Credit Union
Attn: Jessica Hubbard Transplant Fund.
P.O. Box 275
Melrose, Wisconsin 54642.

http://www.wkbt.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=2407827&at1=Sport&h1=Jessica%20Hubbard-Representing%20Wisconsin

Heidi Has A Few Words

At Aunt Kris's wedding, Jessica and I had to do readings.

Well, we were sitting up in front with all the important people. When the mass was over and we were supposed to stay in our pew, we walked behind the bride & groom. Once we realized what we had done, we laughed and laughed.

Then we went around welcoming Krisha, Ross, and Tyler into the family by giving them kisses.

I think back now and I think its embarrassing, but if you want to post that then you can.

Heidi

(edited by Kris...just had to add the embarrassing line!!)

Aunt Janet Chimes In

Well, well, well. I have a few thoughts of my own!

My biggest memory(and still goes on, today) is the bond between my Shaun and Jess. From birth on(since they are only 3 months apart) Shaun and Jess connected!

They may have lived all the way across the country from each other(Texas and Wisconsin) but every time they were together...it was as though they were never apart. With Shaun having a few issues with his Aspergers Syndrome it was wonderful to have Jess around.

They lived in Hudson while Sherri was pregnant with Katie and I with Heidi, so Shaun and Jess were together a lot! When Jess was in dialysis, I couldn't come visit much as I was usually helping watch little brother and Shaun couldn't handle seeing her like that....so I would bring him over to their place in Roberts and they would play,play,play.

They may not agree with me, but with Jess and her kidney deal and Shaun and his AS, I think they connected because they both had something a little different and that bonded them together.

To this day they are as different as can be; however they are so much alike! They both thrive on their running mile after mile and they both love being surrounded by family!

Great kids!
We love you Jess!
Aunt Janet

My Own Words

I thought I would share some memories and fun stuff that I have had with Jessica over the years...I hope that she enjoys them as much as I do!

1) One of my first memories of Jessica was when she was just a baby; she had these long skinny legs and arms (who knows where those came from!) and to top it off she had a little bit of red in her hair...she was as cute as a button!

2) Does Jessica have attitude? Well when her Lil' Sis was born, Jessica gave her mom the cold shoulder! When mom went to the hospital, Big Sis and Jessica were dropped off at Grandma's house. After the delivery, they went to see mom and Lil' Sis at the hospital and Jessica wouldn't even look at her mom; she got over it pretty quickly once Mom let her up on the bed...but boy was she mad that mom left her!

3) When Jessica was little, she was all girl. Her and her sisters would love to play dress-up in Grandma K's basement, there were barbies galore and every chance they would get, they would have Grandma make them new clothes. Now of course her tastes have changed...she is a big fan of the Mall.

4) During Jessica's dialysis days, she would be at the hospital every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 4 hours. I volunteered to relieve my sister on Wednesdays and would head over to the hospital when I was done with work. Jessica and I would talk, watch movies, do homework, play games...or I would watch her sleep and relax. There were so many other kids in the dialysis unit that Jessica became close with, along with the great staff that was there...they were all like another whole family for her. After her dialysis was done for the day we would make the trek from Minneapolis to Roberts; sometimes we would even stop for a snack!

5) After a long day in dialysis, we were heading to the car but I couldn't remember which level that I parked on. I think I may have embarrassed Jessica just a bit when I hit the panic button on my key chain...we could hear the car beeping about 2 levels above us and I couldn't stop it until I was closer to the car. We just laughed because the horn must have been beeping for a good 2 minutes...must have seemed like an eternity to an 7 year old!

6) Before Jessica's surgery, her diet was pretty restricted. I got the ok from Jessica's mom to make her "Cheesy Potatoes" and to this day, she still requests them! I also used to make a mean batch of Parmesan popcorn for us to share too!

7) After Jessica's surgery, her and her family moved to Tomah WI where her dad was stationed at Fort McCoy. I travelled a LOT on the weekends and would stop by to see how everyone was doing. On various occasions I would pick up the kids and bring them to Grandma's house for a visit. On one particular ride, Jessica and her Lil Sis were riding with me. We were talking about how they came up with the name of towns because some of them were so strange. I think one of the best stories I ever told was how the town of Pigeon Falls was named...if you're curious, ask Jessica. I don't think she will ever forget that one!!

8) Jessica and bodily noises....need I say more (sorry if this embarrasses you!)

That's just a few and I have a million more, but I'm asking you all to chip in! If any of you have any fun memories that you want to share about Jessica, just send them my way!!

Love you Jessica...Aunt Kris

From Jessica Herself

Everything is going awesome except i have to do chores, but i try to get away by going outside with my horses and other animals, and of course sports, which include cross country track and basketball, i would join every sport but i can only play 3 a year because that is all that's offered but i did play softball, soccer, and would like to play powderpuff(girls foot ball), volley ball and continue playing softball and soccer but i had to choose my top three, i wasn't sure where to put this comment but i think this is a good spot.

thank you all for your support, kris thanks for being okay with the birthday surgery and thanks for putting this website together, its kinda awkward but life goes on and its nothing bad, thank you heidi for making the slide show it made me cry a little.

I love my family and friends and enjoying life without these i would not be here, except one thing i hate is being underestimated for my size, past, and sex. None of my friends and family discriminate me for anything, the least i can do is try.

I was supposed to have this on by Friday but now its Tuesday. (my bad). i hope that what i have written makes sense. thank you all so much for everything that you have done. Tina thank you for helping me raise money to go to the games, its no problem watching your kids, thanks mom and dad and all my friends and family for being there through everything. there are so many more people i would like to thank but i am running out of room, if i haven't mentioned you please let me know and i will because no matter how little you helped you have, and even if you have done nothing but enter my life that is enough to make me happy, just knowing that you all care is the most perfect blessing in the world.

Love ya, Jessica

P.S. sorry if its emotional but once you get going you just cant stop, i don't think I'm too emotional (a lot, sometimes though) thanks again!!!!!!

More Help For Jessica

Just wanted to share a slideshow that Jessica's cousin Heidi put together to help raise money for the trip. Heidi has shown it to her classmates and there is now a contest at the school to see which class will raise the most money. Way to go Heidi!!





To see the slideshow scroll down.

Benefit Update

Mark your calendars!!

A Benefit Date has been set: Saturday June 21, 2008
Location: Melrose-Mindoro High School

If any of you can help out with door prizes, food, volunteering or anything else...please let me know!

More info to come so stay tuned

More about Jessica

So I have given Jessica her first assignment! She is going to give us some personal takes on her life...I have given her a deadline so stay tuned.

In the meantime, let me tell you about a few others in her life.

Her Mom & Dad - what can I say, dad gave up a kidney for her :) and they both have put every effort towards keeping Jessica healthy. The numerous trips for doctor visits before, during and even now after the surgery are just a small part. They are there to give her meds, take blood pressure, support her in all of her activities, and yes give her kick in the pants (rhetorically of course) once in a while! All in all, could she ask for better parents?

Big Sis - Yep, Jessica's oldest sister is almost 23 (wow, that makes me feel old). Although in the younger years they did some fighting, now its tamed down and they can chat about their lives. They share with each other through their myspace pages and keep in touch regularly!

Lil' Sis - talk about a strong-minded kid! I think they are best friends (they may not realize it yet) and also their worst enemy right now!! Although they have completely different styles, they will always stick up for each other. Lil Sis is there to bug the living daylights out of Jessica, but I think Jessica gives it right back to her. Lil' Sis will be heading out to the transplant games to help cheer her big sister on!

Lil' Bro - well this guy tried with all his might to take attention from Jessica prior to her surgery...who could blame him, he was just a year old! During Jessica's dialysis days, Lil' Bro was able to spend quality time with grandpa...he may not remember, but grandpa sure will! Now Lil' Bro is 8 years old and as pesky as little brothers can be, but he also adores his big sisters!

The Nephew - yes, Jessica is a proud aunt as well to a great little 3 year old! I hope that someday she is able to pass along some good stories to him, because I know she will have many to share!

There are many other family and friends that are in Jessica's life, but these are the one's that see her day-to-day...

#1

Ok, the blog is officially open, thanks for stopping by.

As I began thinking about Jessica's opportunity to go to the transplant games this July, I wanted to do something to help...but also to let people know about what she is doing. I thought that by starting a blog I could accomplish both, so here it is!

I hope to update as often as I can, but I'm not making any promises :). I'm also hoping to add personal stories written by Jessica, her friends, and her family.

What can you do? Add comments as often as you want! I know that Jessica will appreciate messages that you send. If you want to do more, I have also set up a donation link. ALL proceeds go towards the cost of attending the games out in Pittsburg. Note, I'm not going to push for donations, that was not my main objective for setting up this site.

Thanks again for stopping by, and continue to do so as I'm hoping there will be much more to come.