Strength In Numbers

The waiting game is amping up, people. Besides the “routine” hospital events, you know, like, needle sticks, nasty medicinal mouthwashes, neighboring patients who moan and groan, breathing treatments, hall walking and stationary bike riding (now in the room!), trips to the cafeteria, and more, we are dealing with the increasing pressure of WHEN. The staff here imply that it will be very soon. It must be based on other patients’ experiences. We all know that Amber is SPECIAL, though. Her blood type and body size make the ideal set of lungs harder to find. The transplant team, however, just relaxed some of the parameters for the donor lungs, which had excluded 80% of potential donors. Also, her allocation score was recently increased due to her blood gas values and pulmonary function test scores, making her further to the top of the list, regionally. So……….. we expect a call anytime, and are hoping for it.

In the meantime, we knew this would take sacrifices on the part of the family. For example, I will now be rooting for the Duke University Basketball teams anytime they play(unless by some miracle they are matched up against the Oregon Ducks, right). Other sacrifices include, watching American Idol, playing Texas Hold ‘em using gummy bears as poker chips, eating cafeteria sushi and buying Duke University t-shirts and hats. It’s not really so bad since we know how to entertain ourselves. We have also started a family style betting pool to make the waiting time fun and competitive. Some people think since we’re on-site we have insider information about when we’ll get the call. NOT. If I was psychic I wouldn’t have lost money on the Ohio State football game (any Patriot fans who want to bet on the game this weekend?).

Now that my sister is yet another year older than me she has to pay special attention to her health and fitness. She walks to the hospital from the apartment while I use valet parking. She’s drinking skinny mocha lattes while I drink breves. She’s going to the fitness room regularly and taking time for herself. It’s great having an older sister for a role model.

Amber can actually see the apartment building from her hospital bed. She’s been here long enough that she’s gained the confidence of some of the staff. She’s getting some inside scoop on a few of the other patients and juicy relationship gossip. This important information will serve her well when she needs an early sleeping pill or an extra evening snack.

So everybody, let’s continue to put our collective requests out there for a new set of lungs for Amber. Ones that her body will not just accept, but will embrace. Let’s ask for them ASAP, if possible. We have all been with her through this incredibly challenging time and now we need to kick it up. I truly believe in the power we generate together.

Even in the midst of this holding pattern, Amber is thinking about life on the other side of the surgery… and the initial grueling rehab it will take to get her back on her feet. Jump forward to about April, and see her jogging, tanning by the pool, being several pounds heavier, excited about going to her rehab, calling all of you on the phone and best of all, laughing deep belly laughs, with no effort.

See it. Be it.
Love, Susie