After 25 years working as Seadrift City Judge, and concurrently Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, for 14 1/2 years, and two years as a visiting judge in Austwell, Margaret Chatham finds it a little difficult to sit at home conserving her energy while awaiting a liver transplant.
Margaret’s problems began in earnest two days before Thanksgiving in 2008. Having suffered some physical ailments for a while, she was scheduled for an appointment with a specialist, but before that could happen, she had a major “bleed out” from her esophagus, losing almost all her blood. After many tests and doctor/hospital visits, she was finally told by physicians at St. Luke’s Center for Liver Disease in Houston, that she has Primary Biliary Chirrosis (PBC), an inherited and incurable disease. Margaret has been on the waiting list for a new liver since January of 2009.
Trying to remain active, Margaret took her medicines and changed her diet and continued to be involved in the Seadrift community as much as possible. But after a day of helping with Shrimpfest last year, she found herself in unbearable back pain and knew she must slow down. She has had two back surgeries due to deteriorating bones. She’s been told that once one organ starts going down, it brings down your other organs. In Margaret’s case, it’s been her bones and her kidneys. But the doctors say she does have a strong heart.
Margaret’s husband, Robert, has been her mainstay throughout her ordeal. The couple, who have resided in Seadrift since 1969, were married in 1965 and have four children: Glenda, married to Major Paul Gonzales, who is stationed in Washington, DC, is currently visiting with her parents; Charles (Bubba) Chatham lives on the Guadalupe River near Tivoli. Michelle (Missy) Chatham is the owner/operator of “It’s A Hair Thing” in Seadrift, and son Robert (Robbie) Chatham lives and works in the Dallas area. Margaret and Robert have seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
While she awaits a transplant, she must try to remain “as healthy as possible”. This entails a whole new way of living and of eating and many medications. One of her medications costs $1,200 a month and another, $900 a month. As one might expect, transplant surgery is extremely expensive and the hospital has advised the Chatham’s to begin acquiring funds to pay for it.
The Chatham’s children and friends are planning a fund raising fish fry for May 21. They will also have a raffle and will soon be looking for volunteers to sell tickets. An account has been set up in Margaret’s behalf at First National Bank, Seadrift, and donations can be made on-line through PayPal or credit card on the Seadrift Chamber web site: www.seadriftchamber.com .
The Seadrift Lions Club is holding a blood drive on Thursday, March 3 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Dick’s Food Store. When donating, you may specify Margaret Chatham as recipient, thereby cutting the cost to her of any blood she may receive during the coming year.
“I’m taking it one day at a time,” says Margaret. “I did not ask ‘God, why me?’ My brother died with similar symptoms in 2004, so I’m hoping and praying that my kids and grandkids will be spared.”
