Alva Review-Courier -

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Teresa Tostenrud-Hoff was 22 years old when doctors diagnosed her with a rare liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis.

"The average time from diagnosis to death is 15 years. I was 22 at the time," Tostenrud-Hoff told the Topeka Capital-Journal . "You add 15 years to 22, that makes you 37. I'll be 37 in April. And I'm here."

The words of affirmation, the grin that accompanies them, even Tostenrud-Hoff's posture underscore the fight this Topeka resident has been in and the absolute refusal to give up. Her body is a map of scars: two liver transplants, colon surgery...