My life had become almost unmanageable. For many years I had been suffering
from severe Asthma, had several pneumonias, and then finally developed
COPD.
In May of 2005, when I had become very sick again (I had come down
yet with another pneumonia), I finally couldn’t handle working any longer
and had to quit. I had been a teacher and principal and worked in early
childhood education management. It was a difficult decision to leave behind
what meant so much to me.
At that time… there hadn’t been even the talk about a TRANSPLANT yet. Matter
of fact, it came up when in June of 2005, after some devastating news about
my
health, Dr. Roth mentioned that, at some time, we should consider transplant.
Dr. Bernie Roth is not only my advocate; he is one of the most wonderful
and caring
doctors I know. That day, after my visit with him something in me just
clicked. I guess I was tired of being sick and saw a possible solution
to getting better. I was then already on home oxygen for over 4 years…so
a possible “normal “life” seemed very enticing.
A little
over a month later, I walked into his office and said; ”Let’s start the
process of getting me on the transplant list, why wait any longer?” Dr.
Roth immediately suggested to the UW Transplant Team that he considers
me a candidate for transplant and thus…the process began. It took eight
(yes 8!) long months to get all the procedures, tests, results, medical
history etc. together. On April 19, 2006 I was officially placed on the
UW transplant list. YUHUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
I met with some of the team for the first time the end of January 2006.
Let me tell you, the TEAM HERE is the VERY, VERY BEST IN THE WORLD! They
are the most dedicated, caring and wonderful professionals one can only
ask to be in charge of your health….plainly…of YOU. From the rehab therapists
to the dietitian, social worker, nurses, doctors, admittance personal,
all involved, helped me and will help you in tremendous ways.
My philosophy
before transplant was: “If I were to die on the operation table, I will
be in a better place, and if I wake up, am in a better place too. Either
way, I won’t suffer any more.” See, it’s really a WIN-WIN situation. This
kind of attitude has helped me not being afraid of the transplant, of what
lies ahead, of what the future brings. And trust me….it brings the best
there is!
I found
out that the ‘average’ waiting time on the transplant list is 106 days.
Of course, I made that my goal, as if I could control it! But the mind
plays a big role in being prepared for this big step, and I thought to
myself that if I get my lungs before or at that time, then I would need
to be more stringent with myself in regards to exercise, my weight, outlook
and positive thinking.
There was no question in
my mind….I HAD to DO everything in MY POWER to be the strongest, most positive
and appreciative person. It was and still is my obligation and responsibility
to give it my all to ensure that I do the utmost. Why? Simply because the
entire team here at the UW HELPS ME succeed, so how could I not help myself?
That would not only be a letdown to them but foremost to me. And I planned
from the get-go to have a wonderful, exciting, new life. If I am given
a “New Lease on Life”, I wanted to make darn sure it’s going to be a very,
very long one. That was the most exciting aspect of this ‘adventure”. Yes,
I would now embark on a different life, different in so far that nothing
would ever be the same. Especially my appreciation for all those people
who care for me, who help, who lend an ear, support me, pray for me. It
blew me away, when I heard over and over again, that so many people, some
totally unbeknown to me, would pray for me to get my new lungs soon and
for a successful outcome.
On July 14, I got
my first call…though it proved to be a so-called dry-run. The lungs weren’t
good enough and Dr. Mulligan abandoned surgery. Oh well, back into the
waiting line! I did NOT expect to get my final call so soon after but it
was a mere 15 days later…on Friday, the 29 of July, at 13:40 hours, while
eating lunch with friends at my house, my phone rang and when I heard Kathie’s
voice….I knew….THIS IS IT! Yes, yes, yes…it was for REAL. The first time
I was fairly calm, but this time…I was totally excited and nervous. No,
it was not an ’afraid’ nervousness, rather an elated over the clouds happy
restlessness. I couldn’t get fast enough to the Hospital. Both friends
came with, Anna drove, and they stayed with me for several hours, until
other friends came to ‘take over’.
The call….the drive
to the hospital…being admitted…..getting into bed and then…the waiting
began. I had arrived at 15:05 hours. By 6 PM I got a bit nervous asking
what happened to the donor, but all was well. Surgery started around midnight.
Dr. Michael Mulligan deserves not only all the accolades in this world,
but he has the compassion and foremost passion to be a top-notch surgeon.
He is my ‘Hero’, my angel, since he gave me LIFE again! I would not have
wanted to be transplanted by any other surgeon but him! HE IS THE VERY
BEST!
My hospital stay was a great experience.
As already known from all my previous encounters with staff, I did not
expect anything different but the very best care. All involved in the entire
process, from the very beginning of meeting ‘my’ transplant team, who decided
‘my fate’, to the surgeons, all involved doctors, social worker, nurses,
aids, helpers, therapists, dietitians, desk personal, they are truly the
most dedicated miracle workers. I admire them all and have the highest
respect for their professionalism. It takes a special kind of person to
help people like us get through it all.
Nine days after transplant,
I was discharged. I was up and about pretty much all day during the entire
hospital stay, my tubes had been pulled Sunday morning, and my caregiver
Julie and my kids had ‘prepared’ the house for my arrival. So, Monday the
6th of Aug. 2006, I was to resume life on the ‘outside” again. How exciting!
Yes, it is a
brand spanking new life, in many ways. First and foremost: I CAN BREATHE
AGAIN. It’s so awesome to do that on my own. I love to NOT BE ABLE to HEAR
myself breathe. No more schlepping around the oxygen tank. No more making
sure to have enough supply handy. No more rawness in the nostrils! To me,
that is a great blessing. It makes me feel free, and now I have wings!
I can soar. I feel very strongly, that in due time, I have my life fully
under control and were I want it to be. My personal goals for the near
future: Become a professional motivational speaker, ride the StP (Seattle
to Portland by bike), and go to high schools, civic groups, businesses,
and organizations to talk about becoming a donor and transplantations.
What would I have
done without my family and friends? Every week, I send an update on “Tom
and Jerry” (the names I gave my new lungs), via email to family and friends.
They appreciate it since they are emotional involved and I feel, for all
the support they have given me and give me all the time…I OWE that much
to them. I am forever grateful for all their love, care and support.
I want to express my deepest
and sincere gratitude to my wonderful supportive team at Madigan Army Hospital,
my primary pulmonary crew (Dr. Roth, Kate, the head nurse and Rick, outpatient
respiratory therapist) as well as to the entire transplant team at UW,
my surgical crew, who performed the greatest miracle, especially to Dr.
Michael Mulligan, to my dedicated pre~ and post transplant team, all the
doctors and nurses who took such great care of me while being hospitalized,
the rehab staff, people from home infusion, the lab staff, the efficient
X-Ray/CT scan staff, pulmonary function lab staff, and every single person
I have come in contact with, who helped and helps me on my path to recovery.
There are just no words that can express my gratitude and feelings
for my donor family who saved my life through kindness, compassion, and
generosity. They gave me the utmost gift one can bestow on another person.
Life is downright WONDERFUL!
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