I followed a post from my friend Juli's blog to 65 Red Roses where I read about Eva Markvoort's battle with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). At twenty-three on October 23, 2007, she received a double-lung transplant.
Despite the transplant, her lung capacity is at 16% right now. Take a moment and imagine that. Step into her shoes. You cannot get up to get yourself a glass of water without feeling winded. You cannot fluff your pillows or turn over without gasping for the next breath. You spend every moment of every day tired and dizzy because your lungs can no longer pull in enough oxygen.
You spent months waiting and hoping, knowing that in order for you to take your next breath another would have to die. Another family would grieve. Another family would suffer so you could breathe. Then the call comes...the organ you waited for so long? It's here. It's waiting.
Then surgery, hours and hours. It's complicated. Although you have the organ, there are no guarantees you'll even make it through the surgery. Something could go wrong and you could die on the operating table. It's risky.
But you survive. The pain is intense but for the first time in months, you take a deep breath in the hospital room. There are no dry eyes. It's the beginning of a difficult journey but the hardest part? That's behind you.
You spend months recovering, regaining the strength you once had. You work hard to make up for the time you lost. You can ride a bike now, run in the rain, yell at the top of your lungs...and never feel winded. In a sense, you have been reborn.
Then the news comes...decreasing lung function. Your body is fighting hard but the battle is long and you are growing weary. You're beginning to see the signs and symptoms of a body no longer functioning at a 100%. Tired...dizzy...weak...headache...difficulty concentrating...
Everyday tasks become a challenge. Going to the bathroom on your own, taking a shower. You cannot run. You can barely walk. Every moment of every day becomes a challenge, a difficult battle against depression and fear.
You're on the list again, fighting the tears. Hoping you can get a second organ transplant and knowing the odds of that happening twice in a lifetime are slim.
Now step back into your shoes and tell me what you complained about today. You had to wait in line behind an obnoxious fellow today right? Another driver cut you off in traffic?
When you're tempted to complain or moan about something, close your eyes and envision the number 16 then take a deep breath, and remember...life could be worse.
Despite the transplant, her lung capacity is at 16% right now. Take a moment and imagine that. Step into her shoes. You cannot get up to get yourself a glass of water without feeling winded. You cannot fluff your pillows or turn over without gasping for the next breath. You spend every moment of every day tired and dizzy because your lungs can no longer pull in enough oxygen.
You spent months waiting and hoping, knowing that in order for you to take your next breath another would have to die. Another family would grieve. Another family would suffer so you could breathe. Then the call comes...the organ you waited for so long? It's here. It's waiting.
Then surgery, hours and hours. It's complicated. Although you have the organ, there are no guarantees you'll even make it through the surgery. Something could go wrong and you could die on the operating table. It's risky.
But you survive. The pain is intense but for the first time in months, you take a deep breath in the hospital room. There are no dry eyes. It's the beginning of a difficult journey but the hardest part? That's behind you.
You spend months recovering, regaining the strength you once had. You work hard to make up for the time you lost. You can ride a bike now, run in the rain, yell at the top of your lungs...and never feel winded. In a sense, you have been reborn.
Then the news comes...decreasing lung function. Your body is fighting hard but the battle is long and you are growing weary. You're beginning to see the signs and symptoms of a body no longer functioning at a 100%. Tired...dizzy...weak...headache...difficulty concentrating...
Everyday tasks become a challenge. Going to the bathroom on your own, taking a shower. You cannot run. You can barely walk. Every moment of every day becomes a challenge, a difficult battle against depression and fear.
You're on the list again, fighting the tears. Hoping you can get a second organ transplant and knowing the odds of that happening twice in a lifetime are slim.
Now step back into your shoes and tell me what you complained about today. You had to wait in line behind an obnoxious fellow today right? Another driver cut you off in traffic?
When you're tempted to complain or moan about something, close your eyes and envision the number 16 then take a deep breath, and remember...life could be worse.
(Note: Eva Markvoort also starred in a documentary titled 65 Red Roses. Learn more about it here.)
3 comments:
Excellent post! Isn't her story incredible??e
I went and read. I have a history of asthma, so I could relate.
That was powerful.
Thank you very very much for helping me spread the word about organ donation and CF. And also just about positive living. You are a wonderful writer.
Thanks!
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