Today it's officially my 3 year post transplant anniversary. December 10th is probably the most significant day of the year for me. It was to say my darkest hour. My new beginning and my biggest trial. December 10th 2007 was the hardest thing I could ever imagine being given the strength to endure. . . . through Faith in the Lord I did what I promised the Lord I would do....I endured till the end. December 10th 2007 was the day he felt I had endured enough and sent me the miracle he had promised me. I am sure I have shared this story on my blog before but I will go over it again because it is a big part of my journey and strength.
I knew I was dying. It had been slowly stealing my life from me day by day for years. I knew I would have to say my goodbyes to my husband, my sister, my father, my mother, my entire family. . .I however was not sure I was going to be able to do it. I tried to run from it. I tried to hide from it. I tried to ignore it. . .but Cystic Fibrosis cannot be stopped (Yet). So I finally turned around and I faced it. I accepted what it had destroyed. It literally sucked the life and breath out of me, but it couldn't take my spirit, my fight, my determination, my Faith. I have always known I have a purpose in my life. I have a relationship with my Father in Heaven and I knew that even though no one in my life would understand what I was suffering, I knew he would. So I started my journey for answers, for peace, for understanding, and to prepare to be with him again.
I searched and studied the scriptures and I was lead to many incredible stories of Christ healing the sick, giving sight to the blind and even raising the dead. . .so I asked. I asked for a miracle with more sincerity than I can explain. I read a story in the Bible in 2 Kings 20. While I read the story of King Hezekiah I was brought to tears and I knew that the Lord not only promised this to Hezekiah, but this too was a promise to me.
2 KINGS 20:1-5
"1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying,
3 I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying,
5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. . . . ."
The words Hezekiah cried unto the Lord were so significant for me. . .I had cried those exact words to my Heavenly Father and when I read the Lords answer to Hezekiah, I felt the spirit so strong in my soul and I knew I too would be healed. It was a powerful experience for me which gave me strength and faith to endure.
I don't care if there are people out there that do not believe that what happened on that day was a miracle or just science and medical advances. . . .I know what it was, and what it still is today. There is not an explanation as to why I was even still alive. Not with the lung capacity of 11%, 6+ liters of Oxygen dependency, toxic Co2 levels, and I wasn't much more than skin and bones. How I physically even made the horrendous journey to Pittsburgh is a miracle. I was lead to the ONLY hospital willing and skilled enough to do my transplant. Everyone including the Doctor, the surgeons, my Donor, the hospital staff, my home town, my family, and Bryans family where all a part of the plan God had. Through Faith we are given strength and sometimes we are carried. . . .that is why I only saw one set of footprints in the sand.
Happy 3 year Transplant Anniversary to ME!
Don't forget to visit Nancy's blog and wish her a happy 2 year transplant anniversary. . .she got her lungs exactly a year after mine on December 10, 2008 at UPMC as well!
Save a Life* Be Someone's Hero* Be an Organ Donor
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3 years ago
5 comments:
Very well said Jamie. We love you and are so glad to have you in our family, a MUCH healthier and happy you! Happy anniversary!
Yay! Happy ReBirthday!
We sure do have a lot to celebrate! I hope you are having a wonderful day!
I love you! Nancy
Thought of you and Nancy all day...and your donors! So happy for your amazing three years. Inspirational! Thanks for encouraging others - you are a blessing to your fellow transplant friends!
Jamie,
I was blessed to hear your story at the CF family education day at Phoenix Children's Hospital in October. Thank you for your candid, honest sharing of your story and your example of faith in God. Happy 3 year anniversary to you!
Jennifer
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