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Nancy and I are starting this site so she will be able to get a double lung transplant.
Here is Nancy's story:
"No one ever grows up thinking they would have to make a choice on if they wanted to keep living or not. It is something that would rarely cross a person’s mind. Something that makes some people feel unbelievably uncomfortable that they would do anything to keep their minds off of the idea that their life can take a complete 360° turn at any point without knowing if it is for the better or the worse. This past year has been exactly that scenario for me and it has been one long journey that has only begun. On May 28th, 2014 I was diagnosed an underlying auto immune connective tissue disease which caused a disease that took place in my lungs called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension(PAH). PAH is a type of disease that takes place in a person’s blood vessels located inside their lungs making that person not able to breath and then a result of passing out while doing anything that requires any amount of breathing This disease took my family and me by surprise because before I was diagnosed with this disease I was a cheerleader and always physically active all throughout high school. However, during my senior year of high school my life did exactly what no one would ever want. It took a complete 360° turn, and I have yet to figure out if it was for the better or the worse.
After coming out of the hospital, my doctor had told me that I may have to consider being put on a lung transplant list but it was nothing to worry about as of now, something to think about way down the road from now. Neverless, “way down the road” came faster than I had expected. Next thing I know my doctor is telling me that he wants me to be on the transplant list as soon as possible, and I had to go up to the University of Washington to get testing and evaluations done. I have to make a choice on if I want to be put on the lung transplant list and have to risk my life by not knowing if the procedure would be a success or not, or I deny the lung transplant and try to manage my disease for the rest of my life and not knowing how much longer my lungs and my heart will work before they give out.
Trying to decide and overcome fear of pain and death is a task that not many people would willing do but it is something that I have to do. I connected as much as I could to other people who have gone through a lung transplant and asked them about their experience and their take on the situation as a whole and how they had overcame any fear or difficulties of what they went through. I got as much education I could about the process of a lung transplant, such as what would have to happen before, during and after the procedure. I talked to my friends and family of the outlook of what my life would be like if I did or did not get the procedure. I slowly but surely came to realize that being put on the transplant list would be best for me and my future. Besides the fact of the pain and risk of death, my life could have much more positive aspects in the future if I proceed with the transplant.
Since having to deal with this situation I have learned a lot of different things. I have learned how to view everything in a positive perspective because viewing everything in a negative way will not let me move forward in life. I am now more of a motivated person and I know that I cannot put anything off to the last minute because I do not have time to waste. I have learned how to be more flexible and less stubborn because my life is now like a never ending roller coaster, and I never know what to expect next but whatever it is, I will be ready for it."
At the end of September Nancy will officially be on the transplant list. Anything helps and is appreciated.
Much love,
Nancy & Sela
Here is Nancy's story:
"No one ever grows up thinking they would have to make a choice on if they wanted to keep living or not. It is something that would rarely cross a person’s mind. Something that makes some people feel unbelievably uncomfortable that they would do anything to keep their minds off of the idea that their life can take a complete 360° turn at any point without knowing if it is for the better or the worse. This past year has been exactly that scenario for me and it has been one long journey that has only begun. On May 28th, 2014 I was diagnosed an underlying auto immune connective tissue disease which caused a disease that took place in my lungs called Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension(PAH). PAH is a type of disease that takes place in a person’s blood vessels located inside their lungs making that person not able to breath and then a result of passing out while doing anything that requires any amount of breathing This disease took my family and me by surprise because before I was diagnosed with this disease I was a cheerleader and always physically active all throughout high school. However, during my senior year of high school my life did exactly what no one would ever want. It took a complete 360° turn, and I have yet to figure out if it was for the better or the worse.
After coming out of the hospital, my doctor had told me that I may have to consider being put on a lung transplant list but it was nothing to worry about as of now, something to think about way down the road from now. Neverless, “way down the road” came faster than I had expected. Next thing I know my doctor is telling me that he wants me to be on the transplant list as soon as possible, and I had to go up to the University of Washington to get testing and evaluations done. I have to make a choice on if I want to be put on the lung transplant list and have to risk my life by not knowing if the procedure would be a success or not, or I deny the lung transplant and try to manage my disease for the rest of my life and not knowing how much longer my lungs and my heart will work before they give out.
Trying to decide and overcome fear of pain and death is a task that not many people would willing do but it is something that I have to do. I connected as much as I could to other people who have gone through a lung transplant and asked them about their experience and their take on the situation as a whole and how they had overcame any fear or difficulties of what they went through. I got as much education I could about the process of a lung transplant, such as what would have to happen before, during and after the procedure. I talked to my friends and family of the outlook of what my life would be like if I did or did not get the procedure. I slowly but surely came to realize that being put on the transplant list would be best for me and my future. Besides the fact of the pain and risk of death, my life could have much more positive aspects in the future if I proceed with the transplant.
Since having to deal with this situation I have learned a lot of different things. I have learned how to view everything in a positive perspective because viewing everything in a negative way will not let me move forward in life. I am now more of a motivated person and I know that I cannot put anything off to the last minute because I do not have time to waste. I have learned how to be more flexible and less stubborn because my life is now like a never ending roller coaster, and I never know what to expect next but whatever it is, I will be ready for it."
At the end of September Nancy will officially be on the transplant list. Anything helps and is appreciated.
Much love,
Nancy & Sela
Organizer and beneficiary
