Saratoga Sampler
The Crosses had much reason for thanks
By Mary Ann Cook
JOYFUL THANKSGIVING: The Cross family--Anne and Jon of Saratoga--had a particularly thankful Thanksgiving as all of the Crosses assembled, including nephew Jeff Cross and his fiancée JoAnna Poblete. Jeff had undergone a miraculous liver transplant Oct. 2 at UCLA Medical Center.
This was a three-way transplant that involved donor Doug Andrews and recipient Lily Cheng, as well as Jeff. Jeff, 29, has a rare blood disease that causes his liver to manufacture rogue protein that attacks different parts of the body. In his case, his heart was endangered and two organs were thought needed.
Since the liver is an organ that regenerates itself, a living donor can be used, with just part of the liver being transplanted. The donor who came forward was the husband of a high school friend of Jeff's, Krissie Andrews. The Andrewses live in Belmont, and Doug is the youth minister at San Mateo Baptist Church.
The third participant, Lily Cheng, had liver cancer and received Jeff's liver. Jeff's organ was not diseased itself, even though it produced rogue protein. It takes 25-30 years for rogue protein to build up enough to cause trouble, so Cheng's life was presumably lengthened to that extent.
She is a single mother, 42, who lives in the Los Angeles area. As the story unfolds, luck was with the players as the pieces fell into place. Doug Andrews underwent a week of testing at UCLA to make sure he was a compatible donor: age, size and blood type play a crucial role.
Only 20 percent of donors qualify as matches in donor cases. Plus, Jeff's liver was found to be compatible for Cheng. Her cancer was confined to her liver, a fact unknown until the actual operation was underway. In another, earlier complication, Jeff's disease had been misdiagnosed.
It was through diligent research on the part of Jeff's fiancée via the Internet that the correct diagnosis was reached. A Mayo Clinic physician responded quickly to her Internet request for information. That was on a Friday, and the next Monday, Jeff was on his way to Mayo.
There he received a more hopeful diagnosis, because now only one transplant was needed. The earlier diagnosis had called for a heart transplant as well as a liver. Thus it was that an especially thankful tribe gathered at the Crosses'.
NUTCRACKER: These Saratoga youngsters will perform in the San Jose Ballet Silicon Valley production of the Nutcracker now playing at Flint Center until Dec. 23. Ashley Kraus, puppeteer, China and page; Ashley Tomkins, puppet, Lillian Chen, caroler; Danielle Salah, Jessica Tomkins, Klara Tomkins and Sophia Wood.
These last five are all mice. In addition, some ballet students, dressed as Maria, will pose for free pictures with patrons before the show: Brittain Melehan, Sonnet Sparacino and Jessica Tomkins of Saratoga; Rachel Care and Honami Ishibashi, Los Gatos.
More mice: Isabella Conrad, Emily Fourie, Madeline Foy, Simona Frank, Natalie Gibbons, Honami Ishibashi, Amelia Rojas, Sophia Rumasuglia and Sarah Santich of Los Gatos; and Natalie Teter and Clare Schweitzer of Monte Sereno. Shilpa Kaji of Los Gatos takes on snow (in which, with other dancers, she represents the snow falling), puppeteer, China and page.
DESIGNER SHOWCASE: Marian Clayden, a Los Gatan whose designs have achieved international renown, held a showing at Forbes Mill recently showing off luxurious scarves, dresses and a new line of home decor items. Clayden was hard hit by the 9-11 disaster.
Her New York supplier went bankrupt, fall fashion shows were canceled, and she lost her velvet producer in France, among other setbacks. Her staff now works part time and some of her designs have been marked down considerably. To view designs, go to http://www.clayden.com.
VIDEO WINNER: A video about Saratoga's Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery beat out 25 other entries to win the Joey Award for "Best Corporate Communications Video" at the 19th annual Joey Award ceremony in San Jose. Still 'N Motion, a San Jose multimedia production company, created the video.
In the five-minute video, Cinnabar owner Tom Mudd calls winegrowing "modern day alchemy." Winemaker George Troquato explains the process in detail and manager Ron Mosley stresses the importance of harmonizing with the land.
A clear message and beautiful setting helped win the award for Cinnabar, said Still 'N Motion owner Patrick Burns. Entries come from throughout the United States. Mosley is a baseball coach at Saratoga High, where his sons, Caleb and Ian, are students. Troquato grew up in the winemaking business, working for Troquato Vineyards and J. Lohr.
TEDDY BEARS: Police officers of West Valley College are collecting toys for children at the Children's Shelter and Domestic Violence Shelter in Santa Clara County. Last year, 175 stuffed animals were collected. Donations can be dropped off at West Valley Police Department. Call 408.741.2092 for information.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
