Breath For Alyssa-Lung Transplant
Breathe in..... breathe out. Seemingly a simple task, yet for Alyssa, it is anything but simple. Alyssa, my niece, has Cystic Fibrosis and is currently awaiting a double lung transplant. Cystic Fibrosis can often be a devastating disease, however, nothing, no matter how devastating, can take away the incredible soul, will-power and gorgeous smile Alyssa owns . Alyssa is one of three children born to Chris and Anne. Two of these beautiful children, Alyssa and Jordan, have CF, and one (the charming and handsome) Chaz, does not. Chris, a US veteran, is the sole provider for their family and he enables Anne to stay home and care for the children medically, physically and emotionally. Thanks to their sacrifices and her mom's tremendous care, Alyssa has managed to avoid having this transplant for over 5 years. We all hoped and prayed for a cure to avoid another perilous surgery; however, the time for that to occur has passed, as surgery is no longer escapable. Anne and Alyssa will be moving to Duke University on March 7, 2015, while Chris will stay back to continue working and caring for their two other children. Our prayers, for a cure, will remain unwaivering as God's gifted scientists and physicians search for this answer. We ask first and above all, that you pray for Alyssa, as she waits for a matched donor, her surgery and the long road of rehabilitation.
Alyssa is a light in the dark, with a warm smile and a kind heart, she gives all that she has, to bring happiness to others. She is grace upon grace, and undoubtedly my inspiration to a life well lived! She takes nothing for granted, and somehow is always at peace. She has been blessed, and as her daddy says "a saint here on earth". If sheer will-power alone were enough, CF would be running for the hills, but she can no longer deny her illness as it seems to be pulling the light out of even the brightest of stars.
In the past two years, Alyssa was asked for her hand in marriage by her fiance, Logan. Alyssa, like most girls, dreamed of her wedding day, and a breathtaking honeymoon, in a land far away. Unfortunately, those are dreams she dare not dream lately...she has simply not been well enough to leave a room, let alone the house. But now, maybe just a little, she can allow herself that indulgence...to imagine what life could be....
Both of our families, and friends, all dream of the day she can walk down the aisle, dance, sing, run....but most of all, we dream of the day when she too can simply.....breathe in and breathe out.
This, painfully private and strong, family is not one to ask for help. Rarely will you see them without a smile, though the burdens they carry would bring most to their knees. They have gone without many things so they can take care of their children and help others. They are the givers, the providers, and the contributors, not the beneficiaries. They know only how to be there for others and know little about letting others be there for them. For years, they have inspired our entire family and countless friends to raise a great deal of money for the CF organization as well as other funds that contribute to CF families in need. I understand why they feel so strongly about helping others, I feel the same. If you have any gift to offer, in any amount, it would be used to offset the cost of her care, living expenses while they wait, rehabilitation and durable medical equipment. Thank you for taking the time and allowing me to share their life with you.
