I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears, behold I will heal thee.
2Kings 20:5
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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Ya'll strengthen me!

I honestly don't know how to put what I am feeling in my heart right now into words. When I decided to fight for a transplant I did it out of selfish reasons. I did it for me. I did it so I wouldn't have to leave Bryan. I thought of a few of my close CF friends who I hoped would also choose to be transplanted when the time came for them. What I didn't think about was how many other people it could have possibly influenced. I am not a great person. I am only strong because I had to be. But despite my flaws, and shortcomings I somehow have been able to help others. I am thankful for that. Tonight I met a woman who has 2 precious little boys in her life who have CF, to hear her tell me that I have given them hope fills my heart and soul with gratitude. I have received e-mails from other CF and CF/Cepacia patients and family members whom I am able to relate to the challenges they are facing. I am grateful that I can. I didn't want my life to have to be the way it was, but looking back I am so appreciative of the things I went through, of the challenges life through at me and at the strength I was forced to find within myself. Thank You to everyone who sends me such beautiful messages and shares your life with me. I would do it all over again knowing that somewhere in someone's life I can in someway help them.
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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi Jamie
my hubby sky is awaiting transplant. i emailed you a few months back but didnt hear back, perhaps I sent it to the wrong email....hope not lol..anyways if you dont mind me askign what type of cepacia do you have? cenocepacia? I know theres many strains and how long were you in hospital post transpant? thanks you are inspiring :) shantelle

September 7, 2010 at 5:01 AM
Jamie said...

Shantell,

I try pretty hard to keep up and reply to emails. . so I apologize if I did miss yours. Cenocepacia is type 3 I believe. I am not sure what you have been told about cenocepacia. I however did not have cenocepacia (type 3) I had type 6 and I don't remember the exact name of it. Don't worry too much however, I have a very close friend from Ohio who had type 3. She was transplanted 3 months before me. I met her at Pittsburgh while I was being evaluated. She is getting ready to celebrate her 3 year post transplant mark. She is doing VERY well. She is finishing her degree in college and making plans for her future. Please email me at jamiebug77@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns, I promise to respond :)

September 7, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Jamie said...

Oh and I was hospitalized for around 52 days. Recovery was tough. It is a process of 2 steps forward one step back, 5 steps forward 4 steps back kinda thing. . .but every patient is different ~ I had complications such as pneumonia post transplant. But I pulled through it, it was the hardest thing I ever did. I would do it again.

September 7, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Sherri said...

Thanks for this post--very well said.

September 7, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Denise Fahr said...

YES, very well said! Jamie you have helped me out when we had so many questions about transplant and what to expect. Seeing your journey made me more comfortable when Jim made his decision to do it and while we were going through the process I kept your outcome in mind ALL the time. We are finally at a place where things are really looking up and he is just over 3 mos. post-tx. We were told today that there are no signs of rejection for the bronch he had on Friday! Woo hoo! Anyway, thanks you for sharing your story!!

September 8, 2010 at 5:04 PM

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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