Sophie's Journey to Wellness
Donation protected
Sophie Haugsjaa from Missoula, Montana has received a new liver and a fresh start. On October 18, 2019, Sophie underwent a liver transplant at the University Hospital in Salt Lake City. She must remain in Salt Lake for the next two months for daily monitoring at the hospital as she recovers. Lodging, medical bills, very little sick leave available from her job, rent in Missoula and continuing bills are her challenges now along with recovering from this major surgery. We are asking your help in supporting this lovely young woman who has fought long and hard to have a chance at a normal, healthy life.
Sophie is a 36-year old woman who has been battling autoimmune diseases since she was 12 years old. First diagnosed with Crohns which later was found to be Ulcerative Colitis and coupled with Vasculitis, a dangerous blood disorder that causes painful swelling, bleeding under the skin and organs to fail, Sophie lost her gallbladder, spleen, and appendix before she was 20 years old. Both of these diseases were unmanageable through the normal course of treatments and she was repeatedly hospitalized and suffered greatly from pain, swelling and constant cramping and diarrhea for the majority of her life. Last year her large intestine turned precancerous and had to be removed with further surgeries required in the future. Meanwhile, her liver has been fighting a separate battle with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) a disease brought on by Ulcerative Colitis that gradually chokes off the common bile duct and eventually destroys the liver. That is what has been happening to Sophie’s body, but that is not who Sophie is…
Sophie is a fighter, a warrior for her right to have a productive and normal life. Despite doctors telling her she should succumb to disability benefits and not try to work because of her debilitating symptoms, Sophie would have none of that and pushed through to carve out her life. After graduating from high school, she went on to the University of Montana to earn a Forensic Anthropology degree as she worked as a student employee in the Financial Aid office. From her love of math and helping others, she decided to make Financial Aid her career and continued her education to a Math degree as she worked full time as a Financial Aid Evaluator, and now as a Systems Analyst. She has plans to continue her education and get a degree in Computer Programming in the future, now that she has a future. She has never let her disabling diseases define her and she fights for her right to be a productive member of society.
Sophie feels so blessed to be given a new liver. It is such a priceless gift and she feels in awe of the incredible sacrifice her donor’s family has made. She knows the best way to repay this amazing gift is to live and to live well. That’s all she’s ever wanted is a chance to experience life free to become the best she can become. The road ahead is still laden with surgeries, but she now has a future. Sophie now has a chance and will soon have the energy to accomplish her many dreams. Your help through this time of recovery will be greatly appreciated. Your donation will be well invested in this intelligent, strong, determined, young woman. Thank you and God bless.
Sophie is a 36-year old woman who has been battling autoimmune diseases since she was 12 years old. First diagnosed with Crohns which later was found to be Ulcerative Colitis and coupled with Vasculitis, a dangerous blood disorder that causes painful swelling, bleeding under the skin and organs to fail, Sophie lost her gallbladder, spleen, and appendix before she was 20 years old. Both of these diseases were unmanageable through the normal course of treatments and she was repeatedly hospitalized and suffered greatly from pain, swelling and constant cramping and diarrhea for the majority of her life. Last year her large intestine turned precancerous and had to be removed with further surgeries required in the future. Meanwhile, her liver has been fighting a separate battle with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) a disease brought on by Ulcerative Colitis that gradually chokes off the common bile duct and eventually destroys the liver. That is what has been happening to Sophie’s body, but that is not who Sophie is…
Sophie is a fighter, a warrior for her right to have a productive and normal life. Despite doctors telling her she should succumb to disability benefits and not try to work because of her debilitating symptoms, Sophie would have none of that and pushed through to carve out her life. After graduating from high school, she went on to the University of Montana to earn a Forensic Anthropology degree as she worked as a student employee in the Financial Aid office. From her love of math and helping others, she decided to make Financial Aid her career and continued her education to a Math degree as she worked full time as a Financial Aid Evaluator, and now as a Systems Analyst. She has plans to continue her education and get a degree in Computer Programming in the future, now that she has a future. She has never let her disabling diseases define her and she fights for her right to be a productive member of society.
Sophie feels so blessed to be given a new liver. It is such a priceless gift and she feels in awe of the incredible sacrifice her donor’s family has made. She knows the best way to repay this amazing gift is to live and to live well. That’s all she’s ever wanted is a chance to experience life free to become the best she can become. The road ahead is still laden with surgeries, but she now has a future. Sophie now has a chance and will soon have the energy to accomplish her many dreams. Your help through this time of recovery will be greatly appreciated. Your donation will be well invested in this intelligent, strong, determined, young woman. Thank you and God bless.
Organizer and beneficiary
Vicky Nelson Golie
Organizer
Lolo, MT
Sophie Haugsjaa
Beneficiary