Lasting Lungs for Theresa
Theresa's Story-
2013 I was diagnosed with stage 2 COPD and severe emphysema! I was told I probably had four years left of life on my lungs that God gave me- I immediately started treatments. I had to quit my job and was placed on disability. Years went on and my disease progressed. Its a slow and painful disease that gradually sucks the life out of you literally. I was sent to Duke Transplant Center to get my foot in the door ahead of time, to be monitored of my lungs failing. Sure enough they were slowly fading away- but God never left me. My lung function in the beginning was around 47% and it was maintaining that percentage for a few years, it would drop a little and come back up.
When Covid hit- I got it! Honestly it was God that protected my lungs. I know this because Covid clearly attacks the lungs first- but it didn't attack mine. God protected my lungs! Covid caused many other issues which put me in the hospital but I lived through it! I made it out alive by God's Grace! A couple of weeks ago, I had to go to The Transplant Center to have test done as usual. But this visit wasn't a positive visit- my lung function dropped drastically! It dropped to 28%! This is only 1% away from being placed on the DOUBLE TRANSPLANT LIST!!! It broke my heart needless to say I'm human. So now I have stage 4 COPD and severe emphysema! The transplant team told me to start preparing for the transplant. I don't know when it will take place, there's still a lot of test I have to go through- heart cath's, other test on my heart, measuring my lungs and my rib cage- mentioning possibly removing some ribs; I have scoliosis which they will have to work around. Testing the tissue in my lungs and around my lungs, all sorts of things have to be considered- so that's that- I get home from Duke a few days later I get sick- coughing, shortness of breath, just not feeling good. I saw my pulmonologist at MUSC, he couldn't hear any airflow in my lower lobes of either lungs, my family doctor couldn't either. So I was sent for test because they were scared I developed pneumonia. I went back to the doctor this past Thursday (7/15/21) and the doctor told me there was no pneumonia!!
I call it a miracle because just a couple of days before both doctors were very concerned. And now look what God did- I give Him all the Glory!! I'm a walking breathing miracle!! Bottom line is: I'm still alive, living on the lungs God put in my body for 8 years now since my diagnosis and they only gave me four years. I don't know what my future holds but I do know whom holds my future and that's God- It's always been God!
Theresa does have insurance but it only covers a portion of her doctor visits, test and surgery. $340,000 is the amount Theresa needs to cover the surgery alone. In preparation she will have to pick two caregivers to help care for her pre and post surgery, Theresa and these caregivers will have to move to North Carolina. They will need to be close to the hospital so when they get the word a set of donor lungs are available they will be able to get immediately to the hospital! Theresa has a beautiful sweet family but they need our help. They need us to link arms with them financially with donations, spiritually with prayers and physically with hugs and love!