Lau and I have been best friends for more than 29 years. Although we are not blood, she is like a sister to me and the godmother to my son, Blake. She is loyal, compassionate, honest, funny, optimistic,  and resilient... The list goes on and on. She’s the type of person you want in your corner. She loves hard and always puts others before herself. She is my person, my godsend. 

For those of you who know Lauren, she has been faced with numerous illnesses since she was born, more than one person should endure in a lifetime. From serious lung issues at birth, severe asthma,  small airway disease, and acute glomerulonephritis (kidney failure) at the age of 7.  She has had back to back brain surgeries due to a cyst and a benign brain tumor at the age of 21, which she is still monitored for as they were unable to fully remove the cyst. She suffered an idiopathic allergic response to her hormones at 22, which, in turn, had Lauren medically induced into menopause, on heavy immunosuppressive drugs and large quantities of steroids for more than a decade. This left her with an inevitable choice for a complete hysterectomy at the age of 33. After the hysterectomy surgery, she felt like her life was turning around. Feeling healthy from coming off several medications and a weight loss of 80+ lbs., Lau felt like herself again.

Recently there have been major changes in her health. At the age of 34, she has received a diagnosis of severe Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM). This is a difficult disease to discover which has been misdiagnosed as severe asthma for years now. Throughout her life, she has spent many weeks in the hospital from just the common cold. This disease is leaving Lau breathless. As she exhales, her trachea collapses.  After extensive diagnostic testing, the collapse in her trachea is 98% and a total collapse in both her left and right bronchi.  Some of her symptoms involve chronic fatigue from lack of air, low oxygen levels, debilitating chest pain from not being able to release air, choking on food and liquids, chronic wheezing, stridor and a change in her voice. 

Lauren has a surgical procedure scheduled for September 6th.  A team of specialists from Beth Israel will place a stent in Lau’s trachea and bronchi  for roughly two weeks to see if she is eligible for an invasive surgery.  She is extremely optimistic the team of specialists at BI can help and is so very grateful to live in Boston where we have access to some of the best hospitals in the world. 

Lau recently re-enrolled at Salem State and successfully completed spring and summer courses. Her goal to complete her degree and become a Child Life Specialist has recently shifted towards Patient Advocacy. Well versed from personal experience, I know she will excel in her career. Unfortunately, much like in 2006, Lau has been forced to take a medical leave of absence from Salem State. School will be on hold for a while until next steps for medical intervention are set in place. There is no real cure for TBM, and she has been and will be out of work for the foreseeable future. Lau is too proud to ask for help. This is the reason I am here to support her in any way I can. I hope you will consider helping, too, as I'm sure she has positively touched so many of our lives. Whether it's a $5 dollar donation to assist with the cost of living, and medical bills or a text message offering kind words of support to brighten her day. Lau’s outlook remains positive, grateful, yet realistic. We truly thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

For more information about severe Tracheobronchomalacia and what she is facing, visit Beth Israel’s TBM Clinic website: https://www.bidmc.org/conditions-and-treatments/airway-breathing-and-lung/tbm