Five Month Anniversary
It was five months ago today I received “the call.” My cell phone rang, and I almost didn’t answer it because it said “No Caller ID” which is normally a call I decline. On that day my intuition told me to pick up and the voice on the line said “we have some new lungs for you, how soon can you be at the hospital?” A life altering call if there ever was one!
Five months later, I’m feeling great physically. “Sam and Dave” just keep expanding and my lung volume continues to increase. In my return to Duke two weeks ago, I was given a lot of encouragement along with the message of “keep doing what you’re you doing.” I also learned I was the 2103rd lung transplant done at Duke. My new lucky number!
My spirits are soaring after my family visit last week. I had not seen my two daughters, Emma or Molly, or my granddaughter Juliana, since last Thanksgiving. We have been through so much since then our reunion was especially sweet.
together again for first time post transplant
Emma had driven 20 hours from her home in California to Austin, and quarantined there for two weeks with Molly and Juliana. They all took a Covid test, and when the results were negative, they jumped in a car and drove another 20 hours to get here! I was and am so appreciative of the incredible effort and dedication to get here and to spend time with me.
We had a wonderful time enjoying the beach, the boat, the paddle boards, and abundant delicious seafood. Juliana, aka the Oyster Queen polished off about half of the 100 oysters I procured for their visit . All naked, sucked off the half shell! One of my favorite enduring memories of the week will forever be when I was alone in the kitchen shucking Oysters to make some Rockefeller, she sidled up to me and said “ Hey Poppy, how about shucking me another dozen!”
When we weren't in the kitchen, we were on the river when the weather cooperated. immersing ourselves in the extraordinary beauty of the Low Country. Some boat driving lessons were followed by paddleboarding and river swimming.
Juliana at the helm of the Bayou Rider in Jerricho Creek
Molly and Emma on the Waccamaw River
The week went by so quickly, as having fun so often does. I was so sad to see them off at 6am Saturday morning knowing that they were facing another 20 hour drive home.
At times the visit was very emotional for me. Realizing how close I was to missing this experience and all others to come, I was feeling such tremendous gratitude for the opportunity this transplant has given me. I’m grateful first to the donor family (whomever you are) for the incredible gift of life, and to the incredible dedication, skill and commitment of the Transplant Team at Duke. And finally to my family, friends and loved ones that have supported me through this journey.
It is an experience that has changed me on many levels. A lot of friends have asked me “do you feel differently?” The answer is yes and no. Yes, in that I feel better than I have in a very long time. I think I had forgotten what feeling good felt like. In the back of my mind for the last decade there was a constant worry about my breathing. Are there stairs ahead, how long is the walk or how I can hide my weakness? That is all gone now and that is a huge relief. The answer is also no, because I feel very much myself, only a better version of me.
I wouldn’t wish a transplant on anyone, but it is incredible to know that it is possible and all of the good that can come from the process with the right mindset, dedication and hard work. This picture tells the story more than my words ever can.
That’s all for now. Hoping you are staying safe and are healthy! Wear a mask, if not for you, out of consideration for others. There are many immune-comprimised people that cannot afford to get Covid. I’m one of them! Don’t forget to VOTE!