Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 127, Number 41, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 7 October 2004 — Page 3

Transplant

r LOnstant alert to the possibility of deployment. The Taggards have two sons and a daughter. % Trenton, on the other hand, is single and lives in the Cincinnati area. So it determined that he would be the most logical choice to serve as the donor. But the resolution had not arrived just yet. The procedure is not as simple as merely harvesting a kidney from Trenton, and replacing one of Diana's. Mother and son explain > After a series of tests, I was rejected for a traditional transplant,” Trenton said. “The tests showed that my mother's antibodies were attacking my blood.” Diana added, “I have antibodies against 53 percent of the population,” a statistic that further complicates the situation. They believe that a blood transfusion Diana received earlier in her battle with the disorder may be behind the issue. "At that point, we were offered two more options,” Trenton continued. "The first option was to find another donor and recipient and swap organs." But that route was eliminated upon the discovery that Diana's antibodies would repel and reject blood that wasn't her own. “The other option was to join a clinical trial to obtain information on a new drug,” Trenton said. After awaiting word for eight months, the Smiths learned that Diana was ineligible for the trial because she did not meet the specifications that the trial was seeking. However, she was told that she could still use the drug, known as IV Immunoglobulin. “This drug allows recipients to receive an organ, when before the organ would have been rejected by the transplant,” Trenton said. The transplant begins Empowered and enthused by this latest turn of events, the Smiths departed for Indianapolis on Thursday, Sept. 16, where Diana and Trenton would be admitted to the Indiana University Medical Center. At long last, Diana's time had come. But not without one final obstacle. There were some inconsistencies with the insurance company over payment issues. Unfortunately, the Smiths did not leant of this maddening turn of fortune until they had already arrived in Indianapolis. Yet despite this frustration, the family chose not to view this as a setback, nor were they willing to postpone treatment any further. The schedule of events remained unchanged, and the journey continued. Diana's intravenous medications to bolster her immunity were given to her on Saturday, Sept. 18, and although it was an arduous, tiring event, it was rendered a success. Over the course of 25 hours, Diana was administered 14 bottles of the immunoglobulin solution, which she observed, “made me terribly sick, like a bad case of the flu!” The ultimate goal, in which she is. deemed a “negative cross match,” was reached, though in this particular case negative is a good thing. “We are going to make it!” she remarked gleefully in closing. 1 Separate surgeries for both Trenton and Diana were scheduled four days from the day of Diana's treatment. On the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 22, Trenton was the first one to be wheeled into surgery, at approximately 9:30 a.m. Diana's procedure was slated to begin one hour later, at about 10:30 a.m. Both of them spent three hours in the operating room. Amazingly, Trenton was allowed to be moved to his hotel room just three days later, “just in time to watch Notre Dame beat Washington,” he said jokingly. He recalled the days following the operation on his mother, and how she fared during those first few critical hours of recovery. “After the surgery, we wets told that the new kidney was working as well in my mother as it was in n« She had a rough day after surgery, due to the fact that the new kidney wajlotally flushing out her body, but the doctors put her on a replenishing IV system, and things have looked good ever since.” At press time, Trenton offered this news, “My mother's vitals are normal, and they are flowing nutrients into her body with an IV to replenish what the new kidney is discharging.” Diana was expected to be released on Sept. 27, or Sept. 28. “Our prayers were heard, and they made a difference,” Trenton joyfully concluded.” ********************************* The Smith family wishes to take this opportunity to express their gratitude to all of their friends and family who continue to remember them in prayer. They would also like to thank Mary Donnelly and the staff of the Residence Inn in Carmel, Ind., who have assisted in providing lodging for the family. Anyone who would like to offer cards or letters to the Smiths may send them to the following address: Residence Inn, 11895,N. Meridian St., Carmel, Ind., 46032. Diana is expected to remain there while she is recuperating, and she will hopefully be returning to Nappanee within the next couple of weeks. Watch for a future feature story with further details of Trenton's and Diana's surgeries, the last minute struggles with insurance, and the many blessings that have graced their lives since then.

REAL Services Friday, Oct 8 Turkey and noodles, whole kernel com. Tossed salad w/italian dressing, italian bread w/margarine, fruit pie, milk, tea or coffee Monday, Oct. 11 Pork roast w/gravy, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, whole wheat bread w/margarine, chunky applesauce, milk, tea or coffee Tuesday, Oct. 12 Sloppy joe on bun, tator tots, coleslaw chocolate birthday cake, milk, tea or coffee Wednesday, Oct. 13 Scalloped potatoes & ham, vegetable blend, rye bread w/margarine, vanilla pudding, milk, tea or coffee Thursday, Oct 14 Chicken in mushroom sauce, long grain & wild rice, broccoli, orange gelatin w/carrots & pineapple, dinner roll, milk, tea or coffee

Advance News Subscriptions s2l per year Call-773-3127

It Pays to Choose & LENNOX Get up to a SI,OOO Rebate AND No Payments for 12 Months ■ with purchase of a qualifying Dave Lennox jmJ B Signature'' Col lection home comfort system | iw Get comfortable now. Don't pay for 12 months. Mate your home very comfortable Better yet, stay comfortable —with wtth a Dave Lennox Signature” no payments for 12 months on a Collection home comfort system qualifying energy-efficient system and get up to a SI,OOO rebate. that helps control your energy bills. A Yoder & Stutzman, Inc. Heating - Air Conditioning Nappanee, Indiana www.Yoder-Stutzman.com (574) 773-7012 WHS purcaase o! selsct Lennox products Odw expires November 12, 2004. • NNlMimMNtaprimMlaMitthrfaAlmiMnaMi omif*m****#m»*****m*m thaSACparMnlbailacaMtSMWhßllvtKSACpaflwlindt L.FiwiwlMM* MMMtaaacachaaiialo4o "”ten*»o4««r «|lm torn caftano*n waui ciaitu ihmhi

Community

Business owners want downtown done right

By Stephanie Middaugh Editor NAPPANEE Several questions regarding the upcoming streetscape project prompted a downtown walking tour by the Nappanee Redevelopment Commission, Sept. 23. The project is expected to begin spring 2006. Commission members. Mayor Larry Thompson, city officials and department heads, merchants from the downtown Business Improvement District and the Nappanee Historic Preservation Commission participated in the tour. Last week’s issue covered the first portion of the walking tour. This week’s article will conclude the discussions held during the tour. Grade discussions The group first addressed the grade issues at the southwest comer of Market and Main Streets next to Dominica’s. Currently, there are two shallow curbs in that area due to grade differences on that side of the street and the rest of the intersection. According to Kevin McCrary from Land Plan. the design firm for the streetscape project, two curbs will remain in that area, but there will be more flat area between the curbs. The first curb by the street will be the standard six inches in height, followed by a ledge that is three feet deep. Then another six-inch curb will follow the ledge. The ledge will contain a one-foot strip of brick pavers, matching the other sidewalks in the area, McCrary said. “This new design will be much safer,” he said. “Car doors will no longer bang against the curb." Hepler’s lot The group then walked to the public parking lot next to Hepler’s Barber Shop. McCrary informed everyone that this lot could be the “sacrificial cow for money.” He explained that if the project ran low on funds, the parking lot could be left in its current condition. But, it would be better to improve the parking lot to match all the other Improvements that will be made downtown. He added that the parking lot is currently extremely unattractive with a solid strip of concrete from the other side of the street all the way to Hepler’s building. All those in attendance agreed that the lot is currently unattractive, but they were all concerned about losing downtown parking spaces which are often a premium at certain times of the day. McCrary told the group that revised designs for the parking lot will leave all existing street parking the same, while adding a curb and a "park strip” with plantings. More parking will also be added during Phase

C&ifo Comer Nappanee Noon Kiwanis Notes from Tuesday, Sept. 28 President Bill Fales brought an exciting program after introducing several visitors to the club. The club was pleased to have Lt. Governor. Earline Nofzigpr, visit the group. She made a presentation of the Hixon Award to Bonnie Hochstetler for her outstanding work as the club secretary for the past year. Hochstetler also received the Perfect Attendance Award from President Fales, later in the program. Other members who received awards from the president for their outstanding work this past year included Phil Evans, Sid Lefebvre, Scott Engbrecht, Sandy Toney, Will Wilson, Joe Sabo, Bobbie Wilson, Chris Gillam, Jeff Kitson and Jeff Krusenklaus.

! * ■ f ■ , A .■ <‘T’ 1

New designs for the downtown streetscape project plan new things for the parking lot next to Hepler's building. A 'park strip" with landscaping will be added, plus angled parking will be changed into straight parking to allow two-way traffic in the lot

II of the project, and new spaces will be added on the southeast side of Main Street toward the railroad tracks, McCrary said. He added that the new design will also add straight parking to Hepler’s lot. allowing for twoway traffic flow. Same page Following the discussion about the suggested design for the streetscape project. Mayor Thompson asked everyone within the group to carefully consider how' this type of project will affect their businesses and the downtown. "There will be a lot of chaos downtown for two years in a row," the mayor said. “It will affect your door front directly, for one of those two years." Earlier in the tour. McCrory had also stated that business fronts w'ould be accessible virtually throughout the project. He said concrete planks would be provided for walking and that front doors would only be inaccessible for the "briefest" moment while concrete is poured. “We’re hearing you loud arid clear that the disruption must be kept to a minimum." he said. The construction may take up to six months to complete for Phase I. but McCrory hopes to complete the process in three to four months. The mayor then asked what everyone thought about not replacing the water main and only tearing up and replacing sidewalks that were in complete disrepair. He felt this direction would place less stress on the individual downtown business, plus, save money.

Story Idea? News Tip? Contact the Advance News • 773-3127

'W'kerever lay te live, yon ’lljiKci newsletters. .. . and it's people that make this possible—over 55 million times a day. People from every walk of life, every community, who make sure you get your newspaper everyday—wherever you happen to be. October 9 is International Newspaper Carrier Day, a day when we honor the hard-working people who help us keep in touch with our world through newspapers. Not normally standing on your porch, driveway, or gangplank around dawn? That's okay. Just find your own way to thank your carrier for their daily dedication. vthr iSrrmrti Eiujitirrr newsm i r ror Advrmce„News '"CulverCitizen•! "-'Leader PP^ 111 vS* PiloUlNews ==

Advance News • Thursday. October 7, 2004 •

"In some places, like in front of the library and Martin Hardware, we will be tearing up perfectly good concrete," he said. According to McCrory, the city has already spent a lot of money to get the historical look and by "hodge-podging" the project, the downtown would look "splotchy." "Some of the old concrete and new concrete may not work together." he said. "Also, if you ever had a water leak, you would need to tear out the concrete anyway to fix the leak." * In an earlier meeting, Water Superintendent Gale Gerber stated that there have been water leaks in the downtown area and the current water main is more than 100 years old. Brad Newcomer, of Newcomer and Sons Jewelers, said, "There is only one way to do the project, and that is to do it right. I’m proud of our downtown, and everyone else, should be, too. "I know you’re trying to cover all the bases, but there’s no way you can," he added. All the merchants in attendance agreed. Don Lehman from the Nappanee Historic Preservation Commission, also stated that the group has reviewed the plans and submitted their approval. Upon hearing how the merchant’s stand, the mayor responded. “You’re the core group. Your families have been here forever doing business downtown. "If you’re telling me you’re for this, the city will support it," he added. "I heard what I need to hear."

ADVANCE NEWS PHOTO/STEPHANIE MIDDAUGH

Page A3