"The Call"

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me..."

-a post and a poem-

(me and my love post transplant... we did it!)

     So much has happened these past few weeks, but we'll describe those "adventures" later.  The biggest thing happened this last week. The night of Sunday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day), we got "the call" that lungs were available for me.  The morning of Monday, March 18th, my husband and I said our "Goodbye" and "See you soon," - that was such an emotional moment.  Then I was rolled into the surgery room and received the life changing double lung transplant.  Tuesday, March 19th, I woke up and was instantly asking for my husband.  Now, it is Saturday, March 23rd, and I'm on the long road to healing.

   I'm still in a lot of pain, so I'm going to keep this post short.  Here is a poem I wrote pre-transplant lost in the fears of putting my life into another's hands. 

-dear surgeon-
take your scalpel, cut me deep

Hello,

how are you?

It’s so nice to meet you.

Here’s my life; take it, hold it, in your hands

Here’s my trust - I hope you, please, understand

With just a “hi, hello,”

You - I hardly know

Carry me; watch me fall fast asleep

Into your hands - my life, my future you keep

I am afraid.

I’ll close my eyes; and let it be

I’ll close my eyes, so I can’t see;

counting back from ten...

Let the unconscious take me over

and let the remedy - and numbness pull me under

As you steady your hands - and rescue me.

Hello, 

how are you?

It's so nice to meet you.

--

    I am forever grateful to all the doctors and surgeons involved in this process.  I am thankful to my parents, my family, and friends.  I am so in love with my husband (my best friend)... I couldn't have made it through any of this without him.  He is my rock.  And I know in my heart my brother Rafe was and is with me - it helps so much.  Thank you for all your prayers and support.  The Lord has brought us thus far; though recovery will be a struggle, we fear no evil.  From our hearts to yours...

Much love,
         ~Julie Jean