Officially Accepted

What a mother wants to hear, "I am excited about my life." My heart stopped, the tears rolled, I could see her joy. Today Anna received the official call that the team met and she was accepted into the lung transplant program. We knew this was to be, but there is something about an official acknowledgment that makes important passages more real. (Note: Anna is still not listed as we now wait for the next call that the insurance gave the go ahead.) Earlier in the day, Anna felt emotionally overwhelmed at the enormity of it all, the tremendous opportunity being given to her. Her tears rolled as she thought about what it really means and how our lives will collide with another family. This was a profound and happy day anticipating her 29th birthday.

Anna's 25th birthday was a marker in our lives. When it came we celebrated that she lived to be 25. I mean she really lived to be 25. Sometimes we say things like that flippantly, "Oh I am so glad that I made it, chuckle, chuckle." But this was a real marker. Anna did not know that she would make it to 25. When she was born the statistical survival age was around 22. Now, the median age of survival for CF is 36. She has survived past her projected stop date. And, when she was born and a little child there was no idea that anything as miraculous as transplant would ever be available. A shortened life with no reprieve was the deal. Now, we realize that transplant is no cure, there are no guarantees, it will be no "lolligagging picnic" as Anna would say, but there is promise and hope and breath and life, more birthdays and possibilities.

Yesterday our dear friend, Ana, posted on facebook, three years ago on July 12 at 4: 12PM she was called to receive her new lungs for her second double lung transplant. Her official "third" birthday is July 13 and shared with our Anna. In response, Anna posted that July 12 at 5:13PM she received a call that she was accepted into the transplant program. Their connection is quite remarkable. Life has these funny ways.

Happy Birthday Anna!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday into your third life Ana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!