20 days post-transplant and this happens.
Unbelievable.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
I guess I had a lot to say...
Read this and then this. And then consider Organ Donation.
Before I didn't meet Tricia and Nate...here's the thing, I've never met Tricia or Nate. I've met people that know them...several years ago who certainly don't remember meeting me. And, I know well people who know well other people who know Tricia and Nate. But, the extent of my relationship with them is a couple comments on Nate's blog along with, literally, thousands of other people...an email here and there...and a couple comments from Nate on my blog. That's it. So, I say, before I didn't meet Tricia and Nate, I think I had a bit of a messed up opinion on organ donation. I mean, I am deeply grateful for the technology and the skill of the doctor's who were able to perform a kidney transplant on Andrea which enabled her to (much later) become my college roommate and really awesome friend who's presence in my life I have missed dearly over the almost six years (dang!) since we graduated. But, she got a kidney from her dad...it's not like she had to sit on a waiting list or anything...and all that happened a few years before I met her.
To me, organ donation was a nice thing to do...but not really a part of my life. No big deal.
But the last few days, cyber-watching the roller coaster of a tx call, a no-go, a collapsed lung, another tx call and an 8-hour surgery, I find myself thinking a lot of Tricia's parents. In 1982, they adopted a one-week old baby girl...six months later, she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. For 26 years they have watched her struggle to breathe, go through countless hospital visits, procedures and much, much physical and emotional pain. For 26 years, they've known that eventually the day would come that the only way to (potentially) keep her around for a few more years would be a double-lung transplant...for someone else to loose their husband, wife, child, cousin, best friend. The only way to keep their daughter would be through someone else's tragedy.
I mean, I don't have any kids...but, there are six really amazing kids, the loss of any of whom would rip my heart out. I think that if I was in Tricia's mom position, I would have been a puddle on the floor after receiving that call. Not many people have seen my ugly cry...maybe three people...but I feel like anyone with hearing capabilities within a several mile radius would hear my wailing of relief, gratefulness, and praise of God Almighty for providing this new chance for my child.
(Ok, so that paragraph in no way means I could ever understand where Tricia's mom is right now...or is in anyway a snide remark on the way she handled the news...I don't even know how she handled the news...it's just what I think I would do.)
Nathan doesn't appear to hide much on his blog. I don't know them. I haven't watched them live...I've only read his blog. He could have us all snowed...but I don't think so. I tend to have a bit of a discerning spirit about people and Nathan's story hits me at the heart. He has introduced us to his wife, his daughter, even his dog and cat...and by extension, his dad and sister-in-law. They have all shown so vividly what being an organ donor means. Nathan has used his blog to debunk a number of myths about organ donation.
Is it weird that I see Nathan and Tricia as friends? I've cried both times they got "the call" as well as when she didn't get the lungs, when she did, and when they said she had come out of the surgery well.
I say all of this to come all the way around and say that, now, I see...not really the importance of organ donation, but the gift. It's not just about helping someone else live (although, that is a valiant thing) but about preserving the hearts of so many people who care about the person who needs the transplant. Receiving a donor organ doesn't just impact the life of the body that receieves it...but so many people who care about that person. The donor of Tricia's new lungs has impacted, literally, thousands of people who have been praying, wishing and dreaming for this to happen.
And so, so many of those people have prayed and are praying for the family of the donor...a family who may never know how many people were affected by the donation.
So, I say, become an organ donor. And, let your loved ones know it's your desire. Being an organ donor is more than just a sticker on your license. Even with the sticker on your license and the mention of organ donation in a living will or power of attorney document, the final decision comes down to the next of kin or holder of the power of attorney.
I didn't intend for this to be so long...disjointed...or a speech about organ donation...but it is what it is and I leave it at that.
For Tricia's story, in her words, check out her website. Read her story and her blog.
For Nate and Tricia's journey in Nate's words, check out his blog. He labels all his posts so you can learn more about organ donation through those posts and his links.
Nate's dad, Rick, and Tricia's sister, Megan, have both also blogged about this journey and there's great stuff there, too.
Nathan, Tricia and Gwyneth
Before I didn't meet Tricia and Nate...here's the thing, I've never met Tricia or Nate. I've met people that know them...several years ago who certainly don't remember meeting me. And, I know well people who know well other people who know Tricia and Nate. But, the extent of my relationship with them is a couple comments on Nate's blog along with, literally, thousands of other people...an email here and there...and a couple comments from Nate on my blog. That's it. So, I say, before I didn't meet Tricia and Nate, I think I had a bit of a messed up opinion on organ donation. I mean, I am deeply grateful for the technology and the skill of the doctor's who were able to perform a kidney transplant on Andrea which enabled her to (much later) become my college roommate and really awesome friend who's presence in my life I have missed dearly over the almost six years (dang!) since we graduated. But, she got a kidney from her dad...it's not like she had to sit on a waiting list or anything...and all that happened a few years before I met her.
To me, organ donation was a nice thing to do...but not really a part of my life. No big deal.
But the last few days, cyber-watching the roller coaster of a tx call, a no-go, a collapsed lung, another tx call and an 8-hour surgery, I find myself thinking a lot of Tricia's parents. In 1982, they adopted a one-week old baby girl...six months later, she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. For 26 years they have watched her struggle to breathe, go through countless hospital visits, procedures and much, much physical and emotional pain. For 26 years, they've known that eventually the day would come that the only way to (potentially) keep her around for a few more years would be a double-lung transplant...for someone else to loose their husband, wife, child, cousin, best friend. The only way to keep their daughter would be through someone else's tragedy.
I mean, I don't have any kids...but, there are six really amazing kids, the loss of any of whom would rip my heart out. I think that if I was in Tricia's mom position, I would have been a puddle on the floor after receiving that call. Not many people have seen my ugly cry...maybe three people...but I feel like anyone with hearing capabilities within a several mile radius would hear my wailing of relief, gratefulness, and praise of God Almighty for providing this new chance for my child.
(Ok, so that paragraph in no way means I could ever understand where Tricia's mom is right now...or is in anyway a snide remark on the way she handled the news...I don't even know how she handled the news...it's just what I think I would do.)
Nathan doesn't appear to hide much on his blog. I don't know them. I haven't watched them live...I've only read his blog. He could have us all snowed...but I don't think so. I tend to have a bit of a discerning spirit about people and Nathan's story hits me at the heart. He has introduced us to his wife, his daughter, even his dog and cat...and by extension, his dad and sister-in-law. They have all shown so vividly what being an organ donor means. Nathan has used his blog to debunk a number of myths about organ donation.
Is it weird that I see Nathan and Tricia as friends? I've cried both times they got "the call" as well as when she didn't get the lungs, when she did, and when they said she had come out of the surgery well.
I say all of this to come all the way around and say that, now, I see...not really the importance of organ donation, but the gift. It's not just about helping someone else live (although, that is a valiant thing) but about preserving the hearts of so many people who care about the person who needs the transplant. Receiving a donor organ doesn't just impact the life of the body that receieves it...but so many people who care about that person. The donor of Tricia's new lungs has impacted, literally, thousands of people who have been praying, wishing and dreaming for this to happen.
And so, so many of those people have prayed and are praying for the family of the donor...a family who may never know how many people were affected by the donation.
So, I say, become an organ donor. And, let your loved ones know it's your desire. Being an organ donor is more than just a sticker on your license. Even with the sticker on your license and the mention of organ donation in a living will or power of attorney document, the final decision comes down to the next of kin or holder of the power of attorney.
I didn't intend for this to be so long...disjointed...or a speech about organ donation...but it is what it is and I leave it at that.
For Tricia's story, in her words, check out her website. Read her story and her blog.
For Nate and Tricia's journey in Nate's words, check out his blog. He labels all his posts so you can learn more about organ donation through those posts and his links.
Nate's dad, Rick, and Tricia's sister, Megan, have both also blogged about this journey and there's great stuff there, too.
Nathan, Tricia and Gwyneth
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
It's a Go...
...so far.
At 545 this afternoon, Nate posted that they were going ahead with the transplant and had taken Tricia back to prep her for surgery. It's still possible that they could get her on the operating table and decide she's not a good match, but this is farther than they got last time...AND ON NATHAN'S BIRTHDAY!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATE!!! LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GETTING THE GREATEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER...GOD IS GOOD!!!
But keep praying for Nathan, Tricia and Gwyneth!!!
At 545 this afternoon, Nate posted that they were going ahead with the transplant and had taken Tricia back to prep her for surgery. It's still possible that they could get her on the operating table and decide she's not a good match, but this is farther than they got last time...AND ON NATHAN'S BIRTHDAY!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATE!!! LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GETTING THE GREATEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER...GOD IS GOOD!!!
But keep praying for Nathan, Tricia and Gwyneth!!!
Keep Praying!!!
Hey, friends!
I think I emailed you all awhile back about Nathan and Tricia. Tricia has had Cystic Fibrosis her whole life (she's 24). Back in the fall, the day before she was to start physical therapy to prepare for a double lung transplant, she found out she was pregnant. Baby Gwyneth was born in January...more than 15 weeks early. Gwyneth hasn't had any major complications...certainly nothing more than your average micro-preemie. (Is there really such thing as an average micro-preemie???)
Anyway, Tricia has been in the hospital for over three months now and won't leave until she gets her new lungs. Over the weekend, they got the call that there was a potential match...and a few hours later found out the lungs were no good for Tricia. (Nate is still asking for prayer for the family of the donor...even though Tricia didn't get the lungs, someone still lost a loved one.) Yesterday, Tricia had to have a procedure involving a chest tube to relieve pressure on a collapsed lung...she's been in pain and was having trouble breathing (more than normal).
Today, they got another call...and it sounds like these lungs are more promising than the first pair. Pray that Tricia's body can take these lungs so she can be a part of Baby Gwyneth's life! And, pray for the grieving family, as well.
You can read about their whole story here: Confessions of a CF Husband
Oh, and just a side note...today is Nathan's birthday...wouldn't that be the greatest birthday gift, ever!? :)
I think I emailed you all awhile back about Nathan and Tricia. Tricia has had Cystic Fibrosis her whole life (she's 24). Back in the fall, the day before she was to start physical therapy to prepare for a double lung transplant, she found out she was pregnant. Baby Gwyneth was born in January...more than 15 weeks early. Gwyneth hasn't had any major complications...certainly nothing more than your average micro-preemie. (Is there really such thing as an average micro-preemie???)
Anyway, Tricia has been in the hospital for over three months now and won't leave until she gets her new lungs. Over the weekend, they got the call that there was a potential match...and a few hours later found out the lungs were no good for Tricia. (Nate is still asking for prayer for the family of the donor...even though Tricia didn't get the lungs, someone still lost a loved one.) Yesterday, Tricia had to have a procedure involving a chest tube to relieve pressure on a collapsed lung...she's been in pain and was having trouble breathing (more than normal).
Today, they got another call...and it sounds like these lungs are more promising than the first pair. Pray that Tricia's body can take these lungs so she can be a part of Baby Gwyneth's life! And, pray for the grieving family, as well.
You can read about their whole story here: Confessions of a CF Husband
Oh, and just a side note...today is Nathan's birthday...wouldn't that be the greatest birthday gift, ever!? :)
Transplant Call #2
#1. Read this: TX CALL #2!!!
#2. Pray!!! Today is Nathan's birthday...pray that he gets the greatest birthday present ever...a wife who can breathe!
Love you, friends!
#2. Pray!!! Today is Nathan's birthday...pray that he gets the greatest birthday present ever...a wife who can breathe!
Love you, friends!
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