Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated and to coordinate badly needed help for Marilyn. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.
Here's her story:
Marilyn Sonya Williams was living in Washington DC when she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis Christmas 2015. There is no treatment or cure other than cardiopulmonary surgery. In March 2016, she moved back to Durham, NC to be supported by her church family and friends to receive pulmonary care at Duke Medical Center. After being evaluated for lung transplant in May 2017 and they intended to list her and do the surgery in July. However, on August 2 it was decided she would not be listed for the transplant due to concerns that they were not properly equipped to treat Sonya’s complicated situation.
Hope was once again inspired in Marilyn Sonya W, when she was referred to Houston Methodist Transplant Center because they believed they had more research knowledge and better outcomes and they were confident in doing the transplant. Heartbreak hit again when Houston decided not to accept her as a transplant candidate. She was referred to the University of Pittsburgh. She was once again filled with hope when she arrived at UPMC Presbyterian December 11-14 to be evaluated. She was both cautious optimistic because she had been rejected twice.
“Within myself I could not have managed to keep fighting in the face of mountainous and tremendous obstacles faced other than to know it was friends, caring and concerned social media followers and GOD,” she said.
On January 8, 2018 she was finally listed. She's moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., where she must stay close for when it's time to receive her new lungs. She bravely left behind her friends, church and support system. She needs help to do the daily things most of us take for granted.
This is just the beginning of a long road ahead. The challenges of a single woman doing this on her own are immense. Please consider helping Marilyn Sonya by taking the stress of medical and living expenses off of her shoulders so she can concentrate on breathing again.
https://www.gofundme.com/dkk8rxd8Thank you for visiting.
