In sickness & health - PSC

[Guest guest]

In

sickness and health

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:47

AM CDT

SCHERERVILLE | For 10 years, Ron Gonsiorowski

watched as a liver disease slowly wore down his wife, Terri Gonsiorowski.

Her condition, primary schlerosing cholangitis,

the same liver disorder that killed Bears football great Walter Payton, forced

Terri to find a liver donor.

Ron had a feeling he'd be a match. He was tested and

was a close enough match that he could give part of his liver to his wife.

The couple, both of whom are 39, underwent the transplant Sept. 5 at University

of Chicago Hospitals. " When they

were reunited three days after the surgery, there wasn't a dry eye in the

place, " family friend Jallo said.

Although Terri is recovering slowly and complications forced Ron into a longer

than expected recovery, the two are doing well, he said. But

expenses have added up. Ron, a Hammond

firefighter, is still off work and hasn't been able to work his side job since

the transplant.

Friends have organized a fundraiser from 10:30

a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday

at Culver's, 980 W. Lincoln Highway,

in Schererville. A portion of the food purchased by

customers using a family day coupon will benefit the Gonsiorowski

family, Jallo said.

Ron said his family is private, but support from friends and family has been

plentiful. They've mowed the lawn, picked up groceries and watched their two children while the couple

was in the hospital.

" Me and my family, we're just overwhelmed, speechless by how much everyone

has stepped up for us, " Ron said. " We're not

the type of people to ask for anything. "

The couple's children, 15-year-old Gonsiorowski

and 10-year-old Gonsiorowski, have helped their

parents during the recovery, especially because Ron isn't supposed to lift

anything heavier than a gallon of milk for three months after his surgery.

The couple's story is inspiring, said Dori Sparks-Unsworth, executive director of the Indiana

chapter of the American Liver Foundation.

Having a spouse be a match for a transplant is rare. Sparks-Unsworth wasn't aware of any statistics on how frequently it

happens, but she has never heard of it before, she said.

" It's certainly a gift to that family, " she said.

Jallo introduced the couple about 20 years ago. Their story is a journey of hope and love, she said.

Terri and Ron Gonsiorowski, who have been married for

17 years, moved their family to Schererville a couple of years ago after being

lifelong Hammond residents.

Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight, Whatever it Takes!

Son Ken (33) UC 91 - PSC 99 - Tx 6/21 & 6/30/07 @ Baylor in Dallas