Let me introduce myself. My name is Donna and I have a question for you, How do you say thank you to a hero you will never meet? It's a question I have asked myself a lot over the past year.
You see I'm an organ recipient. On June 11, 2005 I received a left lung from a person I refer to as my hero.
In 1999 I was diagnosed with emphasema. My world fell apart. I had just met my soulmate.I went through the denial phase but deep down inside I knew it was true. I rallied, this thing wasn't going to get me down. It took three tries to finally quit smoking, but I made it.
My soulmate and I married in 2000. Both my daughters got married and things were looking good. I had a good job, my world was bright again.
In February 2001 just a short time before my birthday, my world crashed. I had a bronchial spasm, I stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. I was rushed to the hospital where I spent 3 weeks in a coma. It was another week coming round and trying to make sense of where I was and what happened. The mind does a wonderful thing, it blocks memories of tramatic events. Everything is blank from leaving work early because I didn't feel well to waking up in the hospital. I spent 6 weeks in rehab learning how to walk and talk and do all the things people do everyday. My muscles had grown weak. They told me I would bethere at least 3 months. They didn't know me very well, but they learned. I'm stubborn, and I fought back.
You see I'm an organ recipient. On June 11, 2005 I received a left lung from a person I refer to as my hero.
In 1999 I was diagnosed with emphasema. My world fell apart. I had just met my soulmate.I went through the denial phase but deep down inside I knew it was true. I rallied, this thing wasn't going to get me down. It took three tries to finally quit smoking, but I made it.
My soulmate and I married in 2000. Both my daughters got married and things were looking good. I had a good job, my world was bright again.
In February 2001 just a short time before my birthday, my world crashed. I had a bronchial spasm, I stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. I was rushed to the hospital where I spent 3 weeks in a coma. It was another week coming round and trying to make sense of where I was and what happened. The mind does a wonderful thing, it blocks memories of tramatic events. Everything is blank from leaving work early because I didn't feel well to waking up in the hospital. I spent 6 weeks in rehab learning how to walk and talk and do all the things people do everyday. My muscles had grown weak. They told me I would bethere at least 3 months. They didn't know me very well, but they learned. I'm stubborn, and I fought back.
When I came home I was on oxygen 24/7. I went to a pulmonogist. (I think I spelled that right.) I was on inhalers and pills to keep me breathing. I had to, of course, quit my job. I soon found myself on Social Security Disablity. I was still driving my car but it got harder and harder to carry my portable oxygen tank around. As my breathing got worse it grew increasingly harder to do a lot of things. There were days when getting up and walking across the room was like climbing Mt Everest. In 2003 I finally sold my little car and had to depend solely on my husband to take me anywhere I needed to go. He went from holding my hand to holding my oxygen tank. I got mildly depressed. I gained weight because I couldn't do even the simplest exercises. I got my head out of the fog and learned to crochet. It became a passion for me. At last there was something I could do that didn't require a lot of breath.
Also in 2003 my doctor spoke to me about an organ transplant. He made it clear that it was what I needed to do, but it was still my choice. I, of course, said yes. He sent letters to the 3 hospitals in the state requesting info on being tested to make the transplant list. All replies were negative. There were no openings. Finally in February of 2004 I got the call that would make my life worth living again. The Dr called and asked if I was still interested in a transplant. I think I broke the record for saying yes.
Tampa General Hospital Transplant Unit contacted me and sent me the papers to fill out. They were family history, medical history and a lot more. I submitted them and an appointment was set up for me to meet with the doctor and his assistant. I took all my papers and a list of questions and bearded the lion in his den. I was nervous to say the least. I have only met a few doctors that I can say I liked and trusted and this is one. He has a sense of humor that will put you at ease... but the seriousness that tells you he means business.
Also in 2003 my doctor spoke to me about an organ transplant. He made it clear that it was what I needed to do, but it was still my choice. I, of course, said yes. He sent letters to the 3 hospitals in the state requesting info on being tested to make the transplant list. All replies were negative. There were no openings. Finally in February of 2004 I got the call that would make my life worth living again. The Dr called and asked if I was still interested in a transplant. I think I broke the record for saying yes.
Tampa General Hospital Transplant Unit contacted me and sent me the papers to fill out. They were family history, medical history and a lot more. I submitted them and an appointment was set up for me to meet with the doctor and his assistant. I took all my papers and a list of questions and bearded the lion in his den. I was nervous to say the least. I have only met a few doctors that I can say I liked and trusted and this is one. He has a sense of humor that will put you at ease... but the seriousness that tells you he means business.
I had to wait for a little bit for the testing to start, which it did in June of 2004. Three days, lots tests, poking and prodding, I survived each one, determined not to fail. When the test results came there was a setback. They found I have osteoporosis. Unless the bones have good density when they do the surgery, the ones they may have to break won't heal right or at all. I was heartbroken. I felt betrayed, not sure where to go or what to do. But I was soon to learn that my worries were unfounded.
In July of 2004 I was put on a medicine called Forteo. It builds up bone mass through shots. So for 6-7 months I was giving myself shots in the stomach. It paid off.... all the little black and blue spots that I joked about and grew a healthy respect for, those that are diabetic, were worth it.
On January 27, 2005 I was placed on the transplant list. I was so happy and scared all at the sametime. I kept the phone with me at all times so I wouldn't miss the call. I went to my clinic appointments and kept up with my breathing treatments. I exercised as much as I could and did manage to loose a few pounds. I felt good about myself for the first time in a long time, actually felt I had a chance. On Mothers Day, May 9, 2005 I received the call I had been waiting for. There was a flurry of activity but we made it to the hospital in plenty of time. We spent 3-4 hours there, getting prepped and getting my head around that it was going to happen. I was ready for it, only to be told that the lung was not viable and to go home. That is called a dry run. Naturally I was disappointed but I knew that it wasn't meant to be that time.
On June 10th I received another call... this time I was told it was good. So the move was on again and hubby and I headed back out. This was the right one and around 12:30 am June 11th I was wheeled into surgery. The next few days were a blur. I met the pain of broken bones and I won. I met all the tests and medicines and a few complications and I won. My family, friends, and the hospital staff were all rooting for me and my mind said don't let them down. So far I haven't. But my biggest hurdle was yet to be met.
In July of 2004 I was put on a medicine called Forteo. It builds up bone mass through shots. So for 6-7 months I was giving myself shots in the stomach. It paid off.... all the little black and blue spots that I joked about and grew a healthy respect for, those that are diabetic, were worth it.
On January 27, 2005 I was placed on the transplant list. I was so happy and scared all at the sametime. I kept the phone with me at all times so I wouldn't miss the call. I went to my clinic appointments and kept up with my breathing treatments. I exercised as much as I could and did manage to loose a few pounds. I felt good about myself for the first time in a long time, actually felt I had a chance. On Mothers Day, May 9, 2005 I received the call I had been waiting for. There was a flurry of activity but we made it to the hospital in plenty of time. We spent 3-4 hours there, getting prepped and getting my head around that it was going to happen. I was ready for it, only to be told that the lung was not viable and to go home. That is called a dry run. Naturally I was disappointed but I knew that it wasn't meant to be that time.
On June 10th I received another call... this time I was told it was good. So the move was on again and hubby and I headed back out. This was the right one and around 12:30 am June 11th I was wheeled into surgery. The next few days were a blur. I met the pain of broken bones and I won. I met all the tests and medicines and a few complications and I won. My family, friends, and the hospital staff were all rooting for me and my mind said don't let them down. So far I haven't. But my biggest hurdle was yet to be met.
In January of 2006 I was asked if I would like to attend the 2006 Transplant Olympic Games being heldin Louisville, KY. I thought about it and talked to hubby about it and we decided to go. I love to bowl and was just getting back into it. So that was the sport I signed up for.
What I didn't know was my hurdle was hurtling its way towards me. At the games, staying at the same hotel, was the family of my donor. I was told they wanted to meet me and had been asking to do so for a while. I had seen my hero's picture and had made my peace with it. I again talked to hubby and it was agreed that it was time. So, on Sunday June 16th I met the people who would become part of my family. Wonderful, warm, caring people who made me feel at ease. It was one of the best things I could have done, not only for them but for me as well. For now I have an even bigger family and I couldn't ask for better people to be in it.
I was recently asked to write a small paragraph about my experience at the games. I will close this out with that paragraph..... it reads.
There are only a few events in my life that I would love to re-experience. The birth of my children, my wedding to my beloved husband and the Transplant Olympic games I recently attended. The games were wonderful, but the people and their spirits were awesome. I met and talked to so many people, each with their own story to tell. I have come to the conclusion that the world is full of two kinds of heroes. Those that give the gift of life and those that hold on long enough to receive it. I can only hope that I can make my hero proud and continue my life with his help. But most of all I wish to attend the games again and againand again.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Thank you to those who are making heroes of themselves by becoming donors. Most of all, thank you God for the donors themselves, may they rest in your hands forever.
With love and best wishes to all,
Donna
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