Miracle On Order.......Miracle Received

(edited, January 14, 2011) Reflections of a CF Mom... I am the mother of a 29 year old daughter with a double lung transplant. Anna's old lungs gave out due to cystic fibrosis. On November 22, 2010 Anna received the miraculous gift of new lungs. We are adjusting and recovering from the end of life battle with CF and the intense transplant surgery. I am watching Anna heal and begin a new life with her strong and healthy new lungs. NEW LUNGS, NEW BREATH, NEW LIFE

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!

An Anna Banana Buncher In The Hospital Too.......

Day 3 post transplant....

OK, so, we are still concerned about Anna's kidneys so think flushing water taking all impurities out of her healthy kidneys......... she will get better, let us help it along with our positive visualizations...............

Saw the ICU Dr. She said she never hears such clear lungs so soon after transplant. The lungs are fantastic. She is on room air, has pink cheeks and now has to work on inflating the new lungs with slow deep breaths every 10 minutes. This is really kind of impossible because to keep to a schedule like that is well, so many interruptions in ICU that you can only do the best you can.

I feel so much better. Some alone time, no talking, resting, sleeping, restoring was all I needed. I am now in Anna Stenzle's room writing this blog post. She has her tummy issues happening. Thanksgiving at the Stanford Inn for her too.

We have been offered TG dinner to be brought to us and we are grateful but need to keep it all so simple. We are actually looking forward to turkey in the cafeteria. We will miss our family who will be together today and all the fabulous food. We are a family of excellent cooks but simple turkey and mash potatoes with this little family of ours here near Anna will be an incredible Thanksgiving for us.

I cry for our donor family who will be having a sad Thanksgiving and I hope that their knowing that they saved lives by their generosity will give them some comfort. Peace to all of you and may you one day understand what a blessing this Thanksgiving is for us. We will never forget the amazing gift our dearest Anna has been given.

Please send healing around the world to everyone who is suffering today. May they know love.

1 comment:

Lowejo SpenleNovember 28, 2010 at 3:58 PM
Thank you for this blog Robin! We are able to be "with you" without being in the way. I send healing light and Peace to Anna every day. All of you are in our hearts. Love, Darlene
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What does it mean to have end stage CF and then to receive a successful double lung transplant? What is the difference in life style and quality of life?

With end stage CF Anna • is tied to oxygen 24 hours per day • doing at least three vigorous hand percussion treatments per day and many aerosols spending about 5 1/2 hours per day on respiratory therapy and dependent on a family member or friend to deliver the necessary care • coughs that rack her whole being and cause her to loose her breath • is also dependent on family assistance with daily chores such as groceries, cooking and housekeeping • has lags of energy and little general get up and go • manages all medications including ordering and scheduling O2 deliveries • cares for CF Related Diabetes and her high calorie needs as best as possible • must be regimented and scheduled in eating due to the percussion treatments as food must be digested prior to therapy, no food when she gets up, must wait until after morning treatment, eats lunch if there is time in the afternoon, and dinner at 6PM so that evening treatment, nebulizer sterilizing, etc. is done in enough time to get to bed before midnight, late night snack is allowed • go to appointments, see a friend, do something fun, go for a walk usually only between 12 and 4 in the afternoon and some down time available from 7PM to 9PM • this all changes if her lungs are exacerbated and she needs to go into the hospital for two weeks with round the clock IV schedules and 4 treatments per day.

After A Successful Double Lung Transplant Anna • will be able to breathe with normal lung function and no need for O2 or percussion therapy • will need to take immuno suppressant drugs religiously forever • will need to be vigilant about germs • will have to deal with adjusting to the new medications • will need to visit the hospital if she is ill for viral agents and antibiotics as needed • will still deal with her CF Related Diabetes and CF intestinal issues • will no longer be dependent upon family for care • will be able to begin a new life with energy • will be able to go and travel where ever she chooses • will feel more normal than she ever has in her entire life............. can I say more?

Guarantees: There are none but statistics show that there is nearly a one hundred percent chance that lungs will be available for Anna in time for her. Success depends on an excellent medical transplant team, Anna's vigilance in self care, the acceptance of the new organ by Anna's immune system, and the continuation of Anna's story.