a Breath for Jennifer

This is Jennifer Dietz Stmartin Sayre.    I call her “Shorty”.   She is the most amazing person I have ever met and my hero.   Three years ago she blessed me with the gift of marriage.  Two years ago she was diagnosed with a chronic lung disease.  It has never been fully diagnosed we only know COPD and sarcoidosis, but something else they think.  We were told she would be around for a shorter time, but at least ten years.   Unfortunately, that no longer seems to be the case as her disease has rapidly progressed.   She is on oxygen 24/7 and enough medication to make a meal.  Still she never complains and makes the most of every day.   The doctors have told us her only hope at this point is a lung transplant.   IU cardiac lung transplant group has accepted her for a double lung transplant.


We have been told the bills will be overwhelming and we should start a fundraiser.  Jennifer has told me she would rather not burden me or her family and just “let the thing take its course.”    While I am grateful for every moment I have had with her, I can’t help but think it is only money and life means so much more than that.   So, I will continue working so long as I need to, and I and her family are making provisions and plans to give her care and relocate her nearer to IU as they have stipulated.  Already the testing done has exceeded $26,000 dollars, and we still have the transplant, a week in intensive care and a month in the hospital.  Not to mention aftercare and a life time of expensive anti-rejection medication. 


So from the bottom of my heart thank you for any help you might be able to provide.  We have a new grandbaby coming into the world this November and 4 other young grandchildren who need the magic only grandma can provide (chocolate pancakes). As for me, I so need the sweet loving keeper of my soul with all her smiles and magic she brings me…  my “Shorty”