Another year has gone by. Wow! Time flies. Luck was definitely with me that day... that and a huge support group, lots of prayers, stubborn souls, and determination. Two years ago today I got "the call." I remember that moment clearly. It was eleven o'clock at night and Joe and I were curled up on the couch of our Dallas apartment watching a movie. Then the phone rang. I had a feeling I knew who it was since it was so late. My eyes widened when I saw on the phone it was the hospital. It had only been a month since I was listed. I looked at Joe and answered the phone. There were lungs available. They were young and they were very low risk.
"Do you accept these lungs?" "Yes." My heart felt anxious and excited. I was saddened that a life was lost, but overjoyed I was getting my second chance at life. It's a very difficult emotion to explain. Joe and I held each other, prayed, called our family, then headed to the hospital where my life would be changed forever.
A day doesn't go by where I don't think about my donor and his/her family... whoever they are. Because of their selfless gift I am alive and well. I often stop and remind myself how lucky I truly am. Someone gave me their lungs and I will not disappoint. I want to make them proud. I will live a full life for the both of us. I won't ever take these lungs for granted and I won't stop trying and working hard. May God be with that family today.
Yesterday I had my annual checkup. My fvc was 101% and my fev1 was 93%. So my lungs are doing really well! I feel amazingly healthy. Two years have gone by now... and I am looking forward to many more years to come! I am so blessed. I am lucky. Thank you to my friends and family for always being there for me! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Much love,
~Julie Jean
