Good Morning Everyone,
This is such a special day for Marty and me. One year ago, Marty received "the call" from Kate at St. Josephs asking him "would like to get some new lungs today?" Alot has happened in this past year. In some ways, our lives have been like a roller coaster, and for those of you who know me well, I HATE ROLLER COASTERS, I hate the anticipation of what is coming next, and the fear of the drops and turns. Needless to say, this past year, I have learned a lot about liking, or I should say having a new respect for them. As we think about this past year a few of the things that go through our minds are: 1. last year at this time, Marty was using a wheelchair for his main form of getting around(he would loose his breath from just walking a few steps) and now... he walks all over the place, he drives, he can get down on the floor to play with our grandson and get back up, and sometimes he even cooks me dinner, 2. He was on 7-9 liters of oxygen 24/7 and his oxygen saturations were continuing to lower, his color was a light shade of purple and getting brighter almost daily,and now, his oxygen saturations are 99-100% without any supplemental oxygen and his color is pink and healthy looking, 3. he used to be hesitant to go to any doctor because for the most part, there wasn't any real hope for his health to improve, now when he goes to the doctor, he waits with anticipation to hear how good he is doing and how his health has improved, 4.We think of all of the people we have met, the Doctors, the medical professionals, patients, friends, fellow transplant people as well as their families, each one of them has had a positive affect on our lives, 5. We think often and pray for the family of Marty's donor. We are so grateful for the selfless decision of organ donation that was made. This also ties into our families. They all have been here for us throughout this whole health ordeal, supporting us in all ways possible, in a sense they have made a selfless decision to stand by us, sometimes sacrificially.Thank you all. We think of our Church family, and how they have always been there, either in person, prayer, cards, or phone calls, you guys are the best. Even though he was experiencing his own health challenges, the pastor would come to the hospital for visits.
6. Most of all we have realized that God has directed this whole thing. We both have learned so much and our faith has grown. It is a choice, either learn and grow from what God is putting in front of you, or not. I am not saying it has always been easy, you know the choices that had to be made, watching the procedures Marty had to go through, and then for Marty himself to endure the healing from the procedures. Thank you God for this journey.(The photos are of Marty during his really bad time, and the other one is after the transplant at Disneyland with our Grandson)
So, I guess that was more than a few thoughts huh? Anyway, we are both thankful for the whole journey this illness has taken us through, Gods provision, family, friends, and Marty's donor. Please say a prayer today for the family of the donor. As we are experiencing and celebrating life blessings today, they may be experiencing memories and some grief for their loved one. Thank you!
Good Morning Everyone,
This is such a special day for Marty and me. One year ago, Marty received "the call" from Kate at St. Josephs asking him "would like to get some new lungs today?" Alot has happened in this past year. In some ways, our lives have been like a roller coaster, and for those of you who know me well, I HATE ROLLER COASTERS, I hate the anticipation of what is coming next, and the fear of the drops and turns. Needless to say, this past year, I have learned a lot about liking, or I should say having a new respect for them. As we think about this past year a few of the things that go through our minds are: 1. last year at this time, Marty was using a wheelchair for his main form of getting around(he would loose his breath from just walking a few steps) and now... he walks all over the place, he drives, he can get down on the floor to play with our grandson and get back up, and sometimes he even cooks me dinner, 2. He was on 7-9 liters of oxygen 24/7 and his oxygen saturations were continuing to lower, his color was a light shade of purple and getting brighter almost daily,and now, his oxygen saturations are 99-100% without any supplemental oxygen and his color is pink and healthy looking, 3. he used to be hesitant to go to any doctor because for the most part, there wasn't any real hope for his health to improve, now when he goes to the doctor, he waits with anticipation to hear how good he is doing and how his health has improved, 4.We think of all of the people we have met, the Doctors, the medical professionals, patients, friends, fellow transplant people as well as their families, each one of them has had a positive affect on our lives, 5. We think often and pray for the family of Marty's donor. We are so grateful for the selfless decision of organ donation that was made. This also ties into our families. They all have been here for us throughout this whole health ordeal, supporting us in all ways possible, in a sense they have made a selfless decision to stand by us, sometimes sacrificially.Thank you all. We think of our Church family, and how they have always been there, either in person, prayer, cards, or phone calls, you guys are the best. Even though he was experiencing his own health challenges, the pastor would come to the hospital for visits.
6. Most of all we have realized that God has directed this whole thing. We both have learned so much and our faith has grown. It is a choice, either learn and grow from what God is putting in front of you, or not. I am not saying it has always been easy, you know the choices that had to be made, watching the procedures Marty had to go through, and then for Marty himself to endure the healing from the procedures. Thank you God for this journey.(The photos are of Marty during his really bad time, and the other one is after the transplant at Disneyland with our Grandson)
So, I guess that was more than a few thoughts huh? Anyway, we are both thankful for the whole journey this illness has taken us through, Gods provision, family, friends, and Marty's donor. Please say a prayer today for the family of the donor. As we are experiencing and celebrating life blessings today, they may be experiencing memories and some grief for their loved one. Thank you!
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