Help Sherry In Her Recovery
Donation protected
There are challenges in this world and there are miracles. This week has been a miracle.
My mom, Sherry Huhn Heidel, has received a double lung transplant!!
She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis four years ago. Pulmonary fibrosis scars and thickens the tissue around and between the air sacs in your lungs. It makes it difficult to get air in and then gases can not be exchanged.
It has been a rough road. She has been through multiple evaluations for being placed on “the list” with no good outcome. The doctors were always concerned but said “she was not sick enough yet.” Even though the doctors would say “ you only have a 2 yr life expectancy with this disease.” Mom never gave up and did everything they said to do. Even though she was attached to an oxygen tank she walked each evening to keep her strength up.
As time has gone on her health has been declining. She was re evaluated this January at University of Florida Shands Hospital. The doctors became very concerned that her oxygen absorption was declining and her organs were becoming oxygen deprived. They upped her oxygen intake that meant no more easy portable oxygen.
On Friday February 14 she was put on the National Transplant Waiting List. Then the miracle happened - Tuesday February 18 she got the call!! - Come to the hospital we have lungs for you.
So many emotions: Amazed -wow its only been 4 days;
Happy - incredible this going to happen;
Sad - Someone lost a loved one;
Scared - a 12 hr surgery ahead;
Concerned - the long road of recovery.
After a long Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, Mom came out of surgery with a new lease on life. She has been making great strides. They took her vent out after 8hrs and she can breath on her own. After one day she was up siting in a chair. There has been some bumps that come with major surgery like IVs going bad and the pain. Each day is a better one and new view of the world and life.
My mom, Sherry has given service throughout her life. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Dennis for over 51 years. She has supported my Dad through the US Maries Corp, Middletown Police Department and the Navesink Fire Department. While raising 2 children, she returned to complete a Nursing degree. She worked on the cardiac unit at Monmouth Medical for years. Once she retired from nursing, she took on the role of caregiver. She cared for her mother for 20 years and at one point took care of Dad’s father at the same time. Between both of my parents, they have given so much back to others throughout the years.
My mom will have to stay up next to the hospital for at least the next 3 months. Mom and Dad live 2.5 hrs from the hospital so they have to get housing. This a major financial burden on them. Dad is unable to work during this process because he has to take her each day to the hospital for physical therapy, doctor appointments and support groups.
My Dad has survived service during the Vietnam war, saving others from burning house fires, kidney cancer and knee replacement yet has always remained diligent. He too has always been giver but now he needs help. We are seeking help to lessen this financial burden on my dad. He has been a rock through this ordeal. If we can take some of the stress away, it would be remarkable.
Thank you for any help you can give.
My mom, Sherry Huhn Heidel, has received a double lung transplant!!
She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis four years ago. Pulmonary fibrosis scars and thickens the tissue around and between the air sacs in your lungs. It makes it difficult to get air in and then gases can not be exchanged.
It has been a rough road. She has been through multiple evaluations for being placed on “the list” with no good outcome. The doctors were always concerned but said “she was not sick enough yet.” Even though the doctors would say “ you only have a 2 yr life expectancy with this disease.” Mom never gave up and did everything they said to do. Even though she was attached to an oxygen tank she walked each evening to keep her strength up.
As time has gone on her health has been declining. She was re evaluated this January at University of Florida Shands Hospital. The doctors became very concerned that her oxygen absorption was declining and her organs were becoming oxygen deprived. They upped her oxygen intake that meant no more easy portable oxygen.
On Friday February 14 she was put on the National Transplant Waiting List. Then the miracle happened - Tuesday February 18 she got the call!! - Come to the hospital we have lungs for you.
So many emotions: Amazed -wow its only been 4 days;
Happy - incredible this going to happen;
Sad - Someone lost a loved one;
Scared - a 12 hr surgery ahead;
Concerned - the long road of recovery.
After a long Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, Mom came out of surgery with a new lease on life. She has been making great strides. They took her vent out after 8hrs and she can breath on her own. After one day she was up siting in a chair. There has been some bumps that come with major surgery like IVs going bad and the pain. Each day is a better one and new view of the world and life.
My mom, Sherry has given service throughout her life. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Dennis for over 51 years. She has supported my Dad through the US Maries Corp, Middletown Police Department and the Navesink Fire Department. While raising 2 children, she returned to complete a Nursing degree. She worked on the cardiac unit at Monmouth Medical for years. Once she retired from nursing, she took on the role of caregiver. She cared for her mother for 20 years and at one point took care of Dad’s father at the same time. Between both of my parents, they have given so much back to others throughout the years.
My mom will have to stay up next to the hospital for at least the next 3 months. Mom and Dad live 2.5 hrs from the hospital so they have to get housing. This a major financial burden on them. Dad is unable to work during this process because he has to take her each day to the hospital for physical therapy, doctor appointments and support groups.
My Dad has survived service during the Vietnam war, saving others from burning house fires, kidney cancer and knee replacement yet has always remained diligent. He too has always been giver but now he needs help. We are seeking help to lessen this financial burden on my dad. He has been a rock through this ordeal. If we can take some of the stress away, it would be remarkable.
Thank you for any help you can give.
Co-organizers (2)
Theresa Heidel Kujala
Organizer
Bel Air, MD
Thayne Tessenholtz
Co-organizer