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Vol. 89 Issue 25 • Wednesday, June 20, 2012 • www.arrowlakesnews.com • 250-265-3823 • $1.25 Includes HST
Donor delivers for love
The new ferry that will be replacing both vessels that currently shuttle between Shelter and Galena Bays will be built here in Nakusp. CLAIRE PARADIS/ARROW LAKES NEWS Nakuspian Brendalee Morgan was recently honoured for her live donation of part of her liver to partner Mickey Wojnarowski. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICKEY WOJNAROWSKI
New ferry to be built in Nakusp
By Claire Paradis
By Claire Paradis
Arrow Lakes News
Although they’d already been sharing their hearts with each other for a decade, Brendalee Morgan and Mickey Wojnarowski of Nakusp have also been sharing a liver – the “Morgan organ” – for nearly two years now. A rare condition know as Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) caused scarring in Mickey’s bile ducts. After a while, the bile began to eat the fat in the liver, which caused cirrhosis. “I came pretty close to having liver failure,” said Mickey. Being in line for a liver donation didn’t help, unfortunately, with no livers coming available during the five months he waited on the list. “Lots of people don’t know about transplants, that they have to register to donate,” said Mickey. With the situation starting to look dire, Mickey and Brendalee began learning more about live donation. “It’s a last resort,” Mickey told The Arrow Lakes News. “They don’t want to put someone else at risk.” When they went through testing, they found they were truly a match, right down to the tissues. Although it was clearly a good option, both Brendalee and Mickey went through a long screening process that involved more than just the physical. “I was told I don’t have to do this,” said Brendalee. “It’s pretty much the same surgery for both of us,” explained Mickey, “a long recovery, and a lot of pain.” Both were counselled and helped to make their wills in preparation for the possibility
of dying during or after the serious surgery that would put part of Brendalee’s liver into Mickey’s body. On July 11, 2009, the transplant took place. “I could feel everything,” said Brendalee about the post-op period where the anaesthetic seemed to wear off too soon. The pain, as bad as it was, was preferable to the drugs, which induced consuming hallucinations and frightening nightmares. “The fourth day, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it,” said Brendalee, “but the next day I sat up. From then on, I knew I was going to make it.” Her healing was aided by a longtime friend coming to watch the Symphony of Fire with her, and bringing the music to accompany the fireworks. If the transplant had a theme song, it was Somewhere Over the Rainbow: “that song kept playing throughout the post-op experience,” said Brendalee. Both Mickey, who had been in a production of The Wizard of Oz, and she were connected to the song which became like a mantra that let her know everything was going to be ok. The fireworks and friend helped lift her spirits and started her healing. “And then I threw up all over Val,” said Brendalee, laughing at the memory. Her recovery after that was rapid, and Brendalee was able to help nurse Mickey back to health. The two spent a lot of time in the hospital, with Mickey enduring seven surgeries in five months. Brendalee became familiar with all the tubes, needles and numbers that came with the medical terrain. Medical staff soon saw she had the caretaking abilities required to look after Mickey, so they sent the
See story page 2
Arrow Lakes News
The new ferry that will run between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay is to be built in Nakusp by WaterBridge Steel Inc. The government of British Columbia has awarded a $26.5-million contract to WaterBridge Steel Inc. of Prince George to design and construct a new ferry for the 30-minute crossing between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay. It will be built in Nakusp, and provide employment opportunities for approximately 65 people for up to two years. “We’d like to hire as many local people as possible, said John Harding, owner of WaterBridge Steel Inc. Hiring local people not only gives work to the community, it also saves on finding accommodations for workers brought in from elsewhere.” “It’s tough to gauge what’s out there locally until we’re there,” Harding said about finding the skilled labour needed for building the ferry, but if the workers can be found locally, he’ll hire them. “It is great news that the new ferry will be constructed in the Village of Nakusp. A project of this size will have a positive effect on our local economy,” said Nakusp mayor Karen Hamling, “This will provide our businesses and residents the opportunity to showcase our spectacular scenery and unlimited recreational activities.” A drive-on, drive-off, open-decked vessel, it will be capable of transporting 80 cars and 250 passengers. Due to the ferry’s larger vehicle and weight capacity, faster loading and unloading times are projected, which eliminates the need for an auxiliary ferry during the peak travel season, said Kate Trotter from the
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. John Harding has been in the business of designing, building and operating car/ truck/passenger ferries for British Columbia lakes since 1976. He was responsible for the construction and operation of the largest freight-carrying ice-breaker in the world when it went in to service on Williston Lake in 1995. The company also constructed the 2004 Francois Forester, which provides ferry service under contract with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on Francois Lake. Harding has been in the ferry business a long time, and is familiar with local transportation and ferry issues. At one point, he had heard talk about building a ferry to haul chip trucks from Shelter bay to Castlegar and get them off the roads, but nothing came of it. He said he’s heard there is some interest in the possibility again. It sounds as though he would be ok if his stay extended beyond the building of the current ferry. “I really like Nakusp,” Harding told The Arrow Lakes News. The ferry magnate will be moving to town for the duration of the construction, with the odd trip back to visit his wife and the ferry on Francois Lake. “Originally we were planning on Castlegar,” he said, “but space is at a premium there.” When he found the spot here in Nakusp, the matter was decided in two minutes, he said. “It’s a lot of work right now getting the site set up,” said Harding, who will be returning to Nakusp with the Ministry to check the site this week.
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