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Jodi’s Story:
Jodi is a midwife working in coastal Maine, mother to three adult children, and doting grandmother (a.k.a. “Gram Cracker”) to two active little boys. Jodi was diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) nearly 23 years ago. PBC is an autoimmune disease that affects the liver and causes excessive and irreversible scarring over time—often resulting in liver failure or the need for a transplant. Early in the course of her disease, Jodi was lucky to team up with Dr. Marshall Kaplan of Tufts Medical Center and settle on a treatment plan that has kept her feeling healthy and living well for a remarkable period of time. In recent years, however, the inevitable progression of the disease has intensified, and medications are no longer sufficient to preserve her limited liver function. As she struggles with fatigue, abdominal inflammation, and severe itchiness, among many other side effects, her ability to truly live her life is diminishing. She and her doctors have determined that a live donor liver transplant is her best option.
Live Donor Transplant is a major surgery with a difficult recovery for both the donor and the recipient, keeping each out of work for several months. It also takes a financial toll, costing upwards of $600,000 in surgical expenses in addition to ongoing costs for medication and treatment that will last the rest of Jodi’s life.
Jodi is expected to undergo her transplant in 2012 at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) under the care of an excellent medical team, including her hepatologist, Dr. Daniel Pratt, MD. She is not lacking in potential donors: a self-titled “Gang of 8” family members have already inundated the staff at MGH with donor-registration materials. To this selfless crew, the decision to be considered for donation was not a question, but a necessity in order to see Jodi live and thrive. The team at MGH has already begun the process of evaluating the potential donors to select the appropriate match.
Jodi currently works as a Nurse Midwife at York Hospital OBGYN and Midwifery Associates in York, Maine, but will be leaving the practice on disability in January 2012 due to her disease. She is loved and admired by the many family, friends, and patients whose lives she has touched with her gentle strength, generosity, and presence. As she prepares for her transplant, she is both grateful for the full life she has lived and hopeful for the future. Jodi is surrounded by a loving and supportive network of family and friends – she is humbled by all that they have done and continue to do to help her fight back and reclaim her life from this disease.

Important information:
Family and friends of Jodi DeMuth are raising money to pay for uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.

Updates (7)

March 8, 2012

Wells midwife's son chosen to donate liver

Jodi's liver donor is selected after several months of anticipation!

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120308-NEWS-203080364?cid=sitesearch

February 27, 2012

Save the date for a celebration in honor of Jodi!

When: Saturday, April 28th

Where: The Dance Hall, Kittery, Maine

There will be food, drinks, a special performance by Lady Luck Burlesque and a silent auction. Bring your dancing shoes because there will also be live music from The Jumbo Circus Peanuts! Mark your calendars for some good fun with good friends for a good cause!

Now that the date is set, we need your help to make this fundraiser for Jodi a success. We are looking for donations for the silent auction portion of this event.

Items could include: any original art, handmade jewelry, hand knit items, paintings, pottery, tickets to sporting events, etc

Services could include: massage, hair care, spa services, art or cooking lessons, other professional services such as landscaping, painting, handy-man services, etc

Other donated items could include gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants or hosting of events such as a dinner party.

Get Creative! Email any questions or donation ideas you have to Annie Cox: earthbirth@hotmail.com or contact Andrea Cox via facebook *donations will be tax deductible*

Photo Galleries (3)

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Guestbook

May 24, 2012

Jodi! You have been such an inspiration to me, Bill and our three boys. You are a wonderful, strong, nurturing person and I am looking forward to seeing you upon your full recovery! Much love and warm thoughts, Christina

Christina, Bill, Jack, Andrew & Sam Rodgers, Portsmouth

May 8, 2012

Dear Jodi,
A year and 5 days ago, you delivered our precious Maeve...she was 5 weeks early after I had spent 7 worrisome weeks on bed rest. You were supremely kind, compassionate, and competent. My wish for you is that all the medical providers that serve you offer the same kindness and caring that you have put out to the world over your many years working as a midwife. I pray that all the life you have helped usher into the world comes back to you 10 fold, and brings you a long vibrant life with all your wonderful friends and family! I am so grateful to you, and you will always hold a special place in our hearts. I send you all the love, peace and health that you deserve. Hugs to you :)

Annie, Patrick and Maeve Louise Dowling, Kittery Maine

April 30, 2012

Hi Jodi, Brian and I were shocked when we found out about your condition and what we've been dealing with throughout your life and what you'll be enduring very shortly. I can't say enough about how you as a mid-wife touched our lives! Being there for the birth of our daughter Sadie (now 7 years old) was incredible and made the whole experience a great one. It just would not have been the same without you. Plus of course you were there to handle Brian which was a huge bonus :) Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during these next few months!
Love the Alati's, Emily, Brian, Sadie (7) and Gus (4)

Emily Alati, Portsmouth, NH