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Monday, February 22, 2010

A part of you. . .

I usually get inspiration from reading other blogs. Something I read usually spurs a thought in my random head. I absolutely love the opportunity that the world wide web has given me to get to know and even meet other CFers pre & post transplant. It creates an awesome place to find hope, inspiration and support. I have been so blessed to have so many people I can reach out to and find friendship. . .to feel like others understand what I am going through.

Tonight I read a blog post and it really hit home. Everything I do everyday is all because one woman and her family gave me this gift. This seems repetitious, but it really is something I think about several times a day. All that I do, in a way, I share with my donor. A part of her lives on through my life. As I was walking effortlessly through the miles and miles of Universal Studios I thought of her. I couldn't help but think that 'we' were doing it together. By 'we' I mean my donor and myself. She is a part of me. . . she gave a part of her to me and so I take a part of her along with me in every thing I do. If I over-thought this. . .it could get creepy :) Things like riding horses, going camping, performing on stage in front of an audience. . .going to Universal Studios are all things she may had never done. But because she lives on through me, 'we' do them together.

I think as a transplant recipient, I feel a great responsibility to myself and to my donor to make the most of my life. To somehow make it mean something. To truly live life to the fullest and experience things that make me happy. It brings me some peace to think that in a small way, I am sharing my life with my donor. Taking a part of her on journeys she never did! That is all I can do for her, that is how I can honor her.

It's tough to make this come out right, in my head it makes sense. . . written down, well I am not sure if it does. But every day is special to me, every breath is important and without my donor's lungs, neither of us would be living on. It's more than I can handle sometimes, but it's something I will never take for granted.

Save a life * Be Someone's Hero * Be an Organ Donor

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Jamie, to quote you, "But every day is special to me, every breath is important and without my donor's lungs, neither of us would be living on. It's more than I can handle sometimes, but it's something I will never take for granted."

Makes perfect sense to me and it's almost the same as what I tell people every day..... "Every day is an extra day! A Great day! Every extra heart beat is special! Life is good!"

Makes sense to transplant people, for sure.

Anonymous said...

Jamie - such a well written post. It really shows your thankfullness to your donor. This post should be shared with more people so they can understand the true importance of being a donor! I'm so happy for you and wish you all the best! Right now I am sitting in the waiting room at HUP. Jim (Another Outlet) is getting his barium swallow then we are off to see Dr. H to see what our next step is in our transplant journey! Fingers and toses crossed! Be well.
Denise

Somer Love said...

Makes sense to me! Very well said! Love ya Cys! Glad you had fun in Cali!
Xo

Where to start to learn about my transplant!

Thank You for taking the time to read my blog. I am hoping that through this blog and my experiences that I can bring hope, faith and strength to all that may be living with Cystic Fibrosis, CF with Cepacia and Lung Transplant recipients. Information and blog entrees start Nov. 07. My Double Lung Transplant was on Dec. 10th 2007. Please feel free to read about my experience and ask me any questions! My email address is jamiebug77@gmail.com

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My Testimony

It's hard to put into words how I feel toward my Heavenly Father and the Savior. I have so many reasons to be thankful for what I have gone through & endured. Because of my trials in life I have gained a strong testimony of Faith. I have always had Faith in the Lord and in Prayer. As I faced the decision to get a double lung transplant I had to rely on faith to make the choice.....By listening to the spirit, I was guided to Pittsburgh where my life was saved. I believe prayers are answered. I have always tried to follow the philosophy of this: If I do what the Lord expects of me, he will give me what I want & need. That has always worked for me. I Believe in MIRACLES..........My life on this earth is a miracle- I prayed on my knees for years to be healed from my lung disease. I knew that through a priesthood blessing (if it was God's will) I could be healed. So many times I thought he would heal me instantly...my faith was tested as I continued to get sick and no cure was in my future. I turned to prayer....I talked to my Heavenly Father, I cried to him and he heard me and he healed me by guiding me to Pittsburgh and guiding the surgeons hands. I learned humility, and thankfulness. I realized that we need others to lean on and we are supposed to strengthen each others testimonies. I learned that the hardest things we'll do are usually the greatest blessings in our life. I was able to experience a lot of things during surgery and I know I had comforting angels in my ICU room. THe Lord knows each of us by name and he will never leave our side. We need to remember to stay close to him and have Faith that he is watching over us. I know this for a fact! I know that following the gospel will bring us true happiness- the world will tell us otherwise, but I know I am truely happy & living the gospel has brought me that. Amen