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

Monday, November 22, 2010

Out Of Surgery!

Just heard. Anna is doing well. Good new lungs. In about an hour we get to see her if all goes well.
Halllleeeeeuuuuuhhhhaaaa! (or how ever you spell it!) Anna has new lungs. Sing it on the roof tops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for all your kind support.....................

5 comments:

UnknownNovember 22, 2010 at 1:47 PM
Our prayers are with Anna and all of you that the recovery continues on this fabulous course!
Congratulations!!!!!
Love from Anna (Mecham) Hawkins
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UnknownNovember 22, 2010 at 2:51 PM
Throb of life.
It is succeeded..........
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Rick SteeleNovember 22, 2010 at 2:58 PM
This is fantastic news!!!! Truly a blessing.
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BreathinStevenNovember 22, 2010 at 4:58 PM
WooHoooooooooo! I'm so happy for Anna!!! And I'm so happy for you and the rest of your family, Robin!!! This is the start of a truly amazing journey -- and it was the gift of an incredible family, and the loved one they've lost -- and in their time of grief, they knew there was someone out in the world as precious as Anna for whom they could make a difference...

Wait until she finds out what breathing is really like!!! And it's not even the running and climbing and crazy-ass athletic stuff that will now be possible... No -- it's not that at all... It's waking up every morning and feeling a breath surging through your body, and not thinking about all of the poundings and inhaled meds and crazy stuff it took us to keep living... I still find that the most amazing and beautiful thing of all...

Give her a hug for me, Robin!!! Love, Steve
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UnknownNovember 22, 2010 at 6:16 PM
This gives new meaning to "waiting to exhale." Hang in there sweet Robin. Now the hard stuff begins for you, moma. One day at a time with the care giving. And if you need a quiet house with a bed to sleep in, you know I'm just 13 min. from SUH. xoxoxo
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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.

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Monday, November 22, 2010

Out Of Surgery!

5 comments: