OK... really short blog post for those of you not on FaceBook. She is sedated and in the operating room, however, the surgeon is not back with the lungs yet. There is no definite yes until he gets here and they start the incision. Will post as soon as I get the word from the docs.
PRAY PRAY PRAY
Thursday, June 3, 2010
TODAY? LET'S PRAY
I don't think excited is a good enough word, but I am too antsy to use the thesaurus. There is a viable donor for Tammy right now! We will know a little closer to 12:30 pm. The surgeon has to fly out of state, and once he has looked at the lungs, he will give the final word. So, pray.
Risk 1: This donor is a high risk donor, due to suspected drug use. This means there is a small possibility that, even though the tests show negative for HIV and hepatitis, the donor could have been exposed to these things and just not developed the antibodies for them. Pray God will protect Tammy from these diseases.
Risk 2: This surgery will be longer due to scar tissue from last surgery. Her lungs will be "stuck" to the inside of her body, so they will have to work harder to remove the lungs. There will be more bleeding as well. They are hoping to not use the heart and lung machine, but if things get complicated they will need to do what they can.
Risk 3: She isn't as strong as she used to be. Enough said.
Risk 4: All of the other things you pray never happen when someone you love is going into surgery and placing their life and everything in the hands of a mere man.
Then there is this truth: The life expectancy for a 2nd transplant patient is cut in 1/2 from a 1st time patient. So there is that.
But, you know, I know, and Tammy knows that God has done some pretty crazy things for us before. We know that there have been too many "coincidences" over the last few weeks to be surprised that this has come up today. He is too Great for us to be afraid, too Amazing for us to be surprised, too Wise for us to be worried. I will post in a few hours to let you know where we are.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Rumor has it...
Tammy may be getting out of ICU today. Granted at this time it is only a rumor. You know how doctors are. They may say, "Tomorrow we will..." but what they really mean is: "Maybe. If you're lucky. If your numbers are right. If I feel like it." Actually, they aren't that bad. It just feels like it sometimes. So, we are optimistically hopeful.
They have been slowly lowering the numbers on Tammy's bypap machine back to a more healthy level. She was breathing pure oxygen at 55%, but they have slowly worked it down to 40% which is closer to normal "air that we breathe" ratios. So, continue to pray that she can get closer to the acceptable range. However, when she is off the bypap machine, she gets tired within a few hours. Her sleepiness is a symptom of too much carbon dioxide in her system. Even lying in the bed, she just cannot breathe deep enough to allow her lungs time to absorb the oxygen and expel the carbon dioxide. I suspect that she will be going home with a bypap machine if they allow her to come home. (Yes, that is still an if.)
So, what can we pray?
Dear Father, Lord of heaven and earth, Giver of Breath, Healer of the sick, Provider of all good things, I ask you - I beg you - please to send some lungs for Tammy. She has been faithful to give you all credit for what you have done in her life. She wants to live, to celebrate, to thrive once again. You have given us so much, and it does seem selfish to ask for more. We have had a year of celebrations. We have had a year of laughter, much of it laughing at ourselves. We have had a year of blessings upon blessings, all of which we know we have not earned, but which You have given us out of the overflow of Your love for us. We will accept whatever answer You give, but in my heart of hearts, I believe you showed us that You were going to provide lungs for our girl. I choose to stand on that promise, even when circumstances seem bleak, or when the fulfillment of the promise doesn't come on my time schedule. I choose to trust that You love Tammy and each of us more that I can ever understand, and I know that you work all things for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose. In light of that, we know YOUR GOOD will be done. There is no power in heaven, on earth, or under the earth that can thwart the purposes of Our Most High God. You are above all and over all. You complete what You start. You do what You say You will do. Help us to see You, to know You, and to find You as You work, yet again, in Your daughter Tammy's life. Amen
They have been slowly lowering the numbers on Tammy's bypap machine back to a more healthy level. She was breathing pure oxygen at 55%, but they have slowly worked it down to 40% which is closer to normal "air that we breathe" ratios. So, continue to pray that she can get closer to the acceptable range. However, when she is off the bypap machine, she gets tired within a few hours. Her sleepiness is a symptom of too much carbon dioxide in her system. Even lying in the bed, she just cannot breathe deep enough to allow her lungs time to absorb the oxygen and expel the carbon dioxide. I suspect that she will be going home with a bypap machine if they allow her to come home. (Yes, that is still an if.)
So, what can we pray?
Dear Father, Lord of heaven and earth, Giver of Breath, Healer of the sick, Provider of all good things, I ask you - I beg you - please to send some lungs for Tammy. She has been faithful to give you all credit for what you have done in her life. She wants to live, to celebrate, to thrive once again. You have given us so much, and it does seem selfish to ask for more. We have had a year of celebrations. We have had a year of laughter, much of it laughing at ourselves. We have had a year of blessings upon blessings, all of which we know we have not earned, but which You have given us out of the overflow of Your love for us. We will accept whatever answer You give, but in my heart of hearts, I believe you showed us that You were going to provide lungs for our girl. I choose to stand on that promise, even when circumstances seem bleak, or when the fulfillment of the promise doesn't come on my time schedule. I choose to trust that You love Tammy and each of us more that I can ever understand, and I know that you work all things for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose. In light of that, we know YOUR GOOD will be done. There is no power in heaven, on earth, or under the earth that can thwart the purposes of Our Most High God. You are above all and over all. You complete what You start. You do what You say You will do. Help us to see You, to know You, and to find You as You work, yet again, in Your daughter Tammy's life. Amen
Friday, May 28, 2010
A Bit about Tammy
One of my friends reminded me yesterday that in the age of FaceBook, many may be reading this who don't know Tammy or her story. So, her is the readers digest condensed version.
In December of 2004 and at the age of 32, Tammy was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. IPF is a disease that causes the lungs to get inflamed, then that inflamed tissue scars, making the lung tissue cease to expand and absorb oxygen like it should. Instead of inflating easily, they become tough (fibrous). The "idiopathic"means they have no idea what causes it. It is incurable, so after much testing, and trying to slow the progression of the disease, she was placed on the transplant list for a pair of lungs. She received those lungs on Mother's Day 2006.
During that time she worked right up until the transplant, then was back at work as soon as she was released after the transplant. Since then she has played softball, ridden her motorcycle, worked hard, played just as hard, and loved everyone around her. I won't gush about her here too much because you can read old posts to hear about what kind of person she is. Unfortunately during that time, she had some bouts of rejection which would put her in the hospital for a few days or weeks, then she'd go right back to life.
Last February (2009), she was brought to the hospital by ambulance. She was lethargic and had a hard time breathing. Within a week she was in ICU on a ventilator, completely sedated and fighting for her life. There were many complications that you can find in the blogs from last February. Long story short, we needed a miracle of God or we were going to be planning her funeral. So, partly in self defense (because repeating bad news 100 times makes my soul weary) and mostly to let people know how to pray, I started this blog. For a long time she was just laying there, and the only way we could know if there was improvement was if the tests would indicate a change. So, I began to ask questions so we could pray specifically. As we lifted our hearts and our love for Tammy to the Father and Master Healer, He addressed each issue. Day by day, number by number, miracle by miracle, God brought healing to her body and strengthening to our faith. He even convinced the head of the Transplant Department to re-list her for another lung transplant. For those of you that know the world of transplantation, it is a huge thing to get a second transplant. But I will write more on that in the days to come I am certain.
When she woke up, she had no strength, couldn't see well, and couldn't speak. Her muscle tone was so bad that she couldn't move her legs or push the button on the TV remote. She thought she was paralyzed and couldn't understand why we were so thrilled about it. Poor kid! But we knew that she would be able to get strong again because she is just that strong, that stubborn, that independent, and that amazing.
She was released from the hospital in May and came to live with us. She was able to walk into the house with the help of the walker! She hasn't been able to enjoy her room upstairs though, well, because... it's upstairs. And it is hard work. So, we moved her bed to the living room. She can never say she missed out on anything. She has lived smack in the middle of it for a whole year! And we have loved and been thankful for every minute of it. She has been doing some respiratory therapy, when health and weather would cooperate. But, still she has noticed a decline, and her oxygen needs have increased little by little over the last year.
So that is the "short" version. Or as short as I can make it. But to God be all glory and honor and credit for all that we have been given. We know it didn't come from us or from the doctors (one even admitted it himself)! So we stand on all we have learned and come before Him yet again.
In December of 2004 and at the age of 32, Tammy was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. IPF is a disease that causes the lungs to get inflamed, then that inflamed tissue scars, making the lung tissue cease to expand and absorb oxygen like it should. Instead of inflating easily, they become tough (fibrous). The "idiopathic"means they have no idea what causes it. It is incurable, so after much testing, and trying to slow the progression of the disease, she was placed on the transplant list for a pair of lungs. She received those lungs on Mother's Day 2006.
During that time she worked right up until the transplant, then was back at work as soon as she was released after the transplant. Since then she has played softball, ridden her motorcycle, worked hard, played just as hard, and loved everyone around her. I won't gush about her here too much because you can read old posts to hear about what kind of person she is. Unfortunately during that time, she had some bouts of rejection which would put her in the hospital for a few days or weeks, then she'd go right back to life.
Last February (2009), she was brought to the hospital by ambulance. She was lethargic and had a hard time breathing. Within a week she was in ICU on a ventilator, completely sedated and fighting for her life. There were many complications that you can find in the blogs from last February. Long story short, we needed a miracle of God or we were going to be planning her funeral. So, partly in self defense (because repeating bad news 100 times makes my soul weary) and mostly to let people know how to pray, I started this blog. For a long time she was just laying there, and the only way we could know if there was improvement was if the tests would indicate a change. So, I began to ask questions so we could pray specifically. As we lifted our hearts and our love for Tammy to the Father and Master Healer, He addressed each issue. Day by day, number by number, miracle by miracle, God brought healing to her body and strengthening to our faith. He even convinced the head of the Transplant Department to re-list her for another lung transplant. For those of you that know the world of transplantation, it is a huge thing to get a second transplant. But I will write more on that in the days to come I am certain.
When she woke up, she had no strength, couldn't see well, and couldn't speak. Her muscle tone was so bad that she couldn't move her legs or push the button on the TV remote. She thought she was paralyzed and couldn't understand why we were so thrilled about it. Poor kid! But we knew that she would be able to get strong again because she is just that strong, that stubborn, that independent, and that amazing.
She was released from the hospital in May and came to live with us. She was able to walk into the house with the help of the walker! She hasn't been able to enjoy her room upstairs though, well, because... it's upstairs. And it is hard work. So, we moved her bed to the living room. She can never say she missed out on anything. She has lived smack in the middle of it for a whole year! And we have loved and been thankful for every minute of it. She has been doing some respiratory therapy, when health and weather would cooperate. But, still she has noticed a decline, and her oxygen needs have increased little by little over the last year.
So that is the "short" version. Or as short as I can make it. But to God be all glory and honor and credit for all that we have been given. We know it didn't come from us or from the doctors (one even admitted it himself)! So we stand on all we have learned and come before Him yet again.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Back to ICU
This was not were I thought I would be typing from this time last week. Nor is this the post that I had planned for today. We are back at the Hospital and Tammy is in ICU.
We brought her in yesterday because she was lethargic and hard to wake up. We found out when we got the tests back that her carbon dioxide levels were really high, higher than normal for her, and they put her on the bypap machine. It is the mask that helps her on the exhale and inhale parts of breathing. They are hoping to lower the carbon dioxide ratio by helping her breathe more deeply.
I do not know what all this means yet. We aren't sure if she is in ICU just until her levels come back up, or if they want to keep her longer. I do know that the doctor mentioned that this will raise her "score" (which determines your place on the transplant waiting list) and that he said, "We really need to get you some lungs." Maybe this is his way of putting her on the fast track. Flip side of that, it is possible that she may have to stay in ICU until she gets her lungs. However, that is pure speculation and is only mentioned because I know many of you have already "gone there" with me. I am praying that if so, they will come soon.
Be encouraged. This may be the answer to the prayers I asked for last week, that the lungs would come at the beginning of summer. I sure wish it didn't mean she had to get sick and have to be on machines in ICU in order for our prayers to come true. (Yes, I am still praying believing that this is God's plan.) However, it is no surprise that God didn't ask me how to bring about His purposes either.
Tammy asks you to pray for her to get better. She really would like to go to Cydney's (my daughter) graduation on the 7th. Pray, if nothing else, maybe she can get a "day pass" or... even better... that her lungs will be here before then.
Our God is merciful, loving, and holds all the resources of creation in His hands. Today I choose to trust Him.
Friday, May 21, 2010
It has been a year
A year ago today I was scrubbing my house down, getting ready for Tammy to come home. Walls washed, closets organized, floors cleaned, baseboards washed, tubs and showers sanitized... and I was a nervous wreck trying to get it all done. We hadn't even laid the new floors (which were necessary because of the water damage). Well, I wish I could say that I had been as diligent at keeping it in the same spotless state for the past year, but... no. It has been an odd year.
You all know how easy it is for Tammy to get sick, right? Well, I have had more colds, coughs, allergies, and even bronchitis occurrences in the last year than I think I have had in the last 10. Sometimes we have been able to spare Tammy, but since December, she has had a few trips back to the hospital because of infections. YES! Most of which she caught from me, even though I sequester myself away upstairs to spare her the exposure. Poor kid!
I posting to the blog again because I need to ask you to join me in prayer once more. You see, I realized just recently that the most important thing about the blog before was not the updates on Tammy or just to get information to those of you who love her. The most important thing about the blog is that through your specific prayers a life was not just changed, it was saved. I am asking you to ignite that fire within your soul yet again.
There have been a few times where the donor list has come close to finding a match for Tammy. One donor was a possibility, and we even made it to the hospital. However, there was some marker in the tissue of this set of lungs that was in the donor lungs she had already received, but not in her original lungs. Since they are being super cautious with her next transplant, they want to get as close to her original lung tissue as they possibly can. The hope is that her body wouldn't reject the new tissue if it is most like what she was born with.
I am asking you to pray with me, believing. Knowing God restored her over a year ago. Knowing He has a purpose in all things. Knowing that He can do all things. Knowing He is the giver of life on earth and in eternity. Knowing He hears our cries. Knowing all the resources of all of creation are at His fingertips. I am asking you to pray that Tammy's lungs will come during the beginning of this summer. Why the beginning of summer? Because the heat wears her out. She has already had a rough spring with the trips to the hospital and the antibiotics, and quite honestly, she is weary of being weary. She wants to go to the festivals. Walk in the park. Ride on a motorcycle. Who am I kidding? She'd like to be able to walk up the stairs to take a shower without stopping on the landing for a breath.
So I ask you, my friends and hers, those who love her and those who love people who love her, prayer warriors and beginners in prayer, to join me. This is a new beginning for us to join in what God started last February. I can't wait to share with you all that we have been learning. So get ready, hang on, 'cause... here we go again!
You all know how easy it is for Tammy to get sick, right? Well, I have had more colds, coughs, allergies, and even bronchitis occurrences in the last year than I think I have had in the last 10. Sometimes we have been able to spare Tammy, but since December, she has had a few trips back to the hospital because of infections. YES! Most of which she caught from me, even though I sequester myself away upstairs to spare her the exposure. Poor kid!
I posting to the blog again because I need to ask you to join me in prayer once more. You see, I realized just recently that the most important thing about the blog before was not the updates on Tammy or just to get information to those of you who love her. The most important thing about the blog is that through your specific prayers a life was not just changed, it was saved. I am asking you to ignite that fire within your soul yet again.
There have been a few times where the donor list has come close to finding a match for Tammy. One donor was a possibility, and we even made it to the hospital. However, there was some marker in the tissue of this set of lungs that was in the donor lungs she had already received, but not in her original lungs. Since they are being super cautious with her next transplant, they want to get as close to her original lung tissue as they possibly can. The hope is that her body wouldn't reject the new tissue if it is most like what she was born with.
I am asking you to pray with me, believing. Knowing God restored her over a year ago. Knowing He has a purpose in all things. Knowing that He can do all things. Knowing He is the giver of life on earth and in eternity. Knowing He hears our cries. Knowing all the resources of all of creation are at His fingertips. I am asking you to pray that Tammy's lungs will come during the beginning of this summer. Why the beginning of summer? Because the heat wears her out. She has already had a rough spring with the trips to the hospital and the antibiotics, and quite honestly, she is weary of being weary. She wants to go to the festivals. Walk in the park. Ride on a motorcycle. Who am I kidding? She'd like to be able to walk up the stairs to take a shower without stopping on the landing for a breath.
So I ask you, my friends and hers, those who love her and those who love people who love her, prayer warriors and beginners in prayer, to join me. This is a new beginning for us to join in what God started last February. I can't wait to share with you all that we have been learning. So get ready, hang on, 'cause... here we go again!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Not our day
So it didn't work out. Pray for all of us to handle our disappointment, but we are thankful that they are being cautious and have her best interest in mind. These lungs shared two "markers" with the lungs she is already rejecting, so the risk of her rejecting the new ones were too high to take the risk. And they DO NOT do third transplants. So, we can't take that chance.
We are not losing heart. But our God is good and He has her in His hands and has from the beginning. So we move forward. However, pretty bummed is a great discription of where we are.
Upside... Now we can eat?
Let you know more later.
We are not losing heart. But our God is good and He has her in His hands and has from the beginning. So we move forward. However, pretty bummed is a great discription of where we are.
Upside... Now we can eat?
Let you know more later.
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