Central Plains News
By Ron Thomson | The Daily Graphic| Central Plaines Herald-Leader
Sharon Isbister, 44, patiently waited for a new liver since August 2008, when she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, an inflammatory liver disease caused by the RNA virus.
"She wasn't able to get the transplant in time and passed way because of it," her husband, Brad, said Sunday.
Sharon had surgery scheduled in May to receive a portion of her son Joshua's liver, but that surgery was cancelled. Brad even flew to London, Ont., where the operation was to take place.
"It's kind of like beating your head against a brick wall," she said at the time.
Brad said his wife's death opens up a number of issues, such as health care and organ donation in the area.
He said he plans to look into the creation of a transplant centre in Winnipeg.
"It's too late for us, but if it can save another family or another person somewhere I think that would be a good thing," he said.
The transplant centre is not something Brad plans to pursue immediately, but down the road.
"For the mean time, it'll be just getting through this week and, you know, trying to pick up the pieces of our lives and carry on from there," he said.
Brad was pleased with the care his wife received from the various doctors and nurses, who attended to her.
"All the staff that did work with her are truly exceptional people," he said. "They really did above and beyond what was required. They did everything in there power to help her beat this."
While battling her illness, Sharon received a lot support in her hometown of MacGregor. People brought over meals since they know she fatigued easily. There was also an account opened at the Austin Credit Union in MacGregor for the Sharon Isbister Emergency Fund, which collected money for her trip to London, Ont., for the surgery.
"It affected virtually the whole community of MacGregor and other communities beyond that knew her," Brad said. "She was just one of those special people. Virtually everybody loved her."
The number of people who showed their support and showed they cared made Sharon's death hard to accept, her husband said.
"There were so many people pulling for her — not only myself and our family — who wanted her to get through this and conquer it, but it didn't happen," Brad said. "It's definitely a sad day."
But, above all else, Brad said he is glad Sharon doesn't have to suffer anymore.
"It was hard to watch," he said.
"She was a very special woman. She touched a lot of people's lives."
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