This is Melanie. Most everyone who meets her, loves her. She’s one of the most upbeat people, in spite of what she’s been dealt in life. When you see Mel, she’s usually laughing, listening, or creating some craft for someone, because they said “they needed it”. Melanie is incredibly selfless and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She’s one of the most loyal people I know!
Melanie has been battling a rare disease called Scleroderma for years. Diagnosed in 1998, and a young mother, Melanie continued on living. Year over year, Melanie’s health began to deteriorate, landing her in the hospital over and over again for various ailments directly linked to her auto immune disease Scleroderma. In 2015, once again Melanie was back in the hospital for a bowel obstruction caused by the scar tissue that her disease was creating. This time, Melanie would leave the hospital with an oxygen dependency of 5L 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The disease had caused her to develop interstitial lung disease and it was evident at that period that Melanie would not be able to sustain this for a lifetime.
She began looking into the possibility of Bi-lateral lung transplant. Through the amazing teams at the Hospital of Pennsylvania, and their tremendous support, Melanie was finally placed on the transplant list in October of 2018!! Because of years of waiting, she was also VERY high on this list(which also means she was very sick)
Melanie got the call at 6:45 in Sunday evening November 25th saying that the University of Pennsylvania Hospital has lungs for her. It was probably one of the best calls she has ever received. That call gave Melanie a second chance at life.. at 45 years young, she is on her road to recovery. It will be a very long road for her. Melanie will have to stay/live in Philadelphia for the next 6-8 months to fully recover. Melanie is so full of life and is so thankful for the incredible outpouring of love and support as she moves through this journey! Stay tuned!!
