I sit here at this very moment reflecting upon where I was 4 years ago at this exact moment. I was getting ready to be wheeled down to the OR after spending the entire day Facetiming with my family. (Stupid Covid) I was nervous, but peaceful. When the call came into my hospital room that morning, I didn't pick up the phone. I thought who would be calling on the hospital phone at 7:45 in the morning. A nurse came in shortly after and said that someone was trying to reach me, and that I may want to pick up the phone. It was a call from the transplant coordinator telling me that they had lungs and a heart for me, and they were a perfect match. The first thing I thought of was my donor's family. I knew someone had to die in order for me to live. As I reflect on this four years later, all I can think of is how grateful I am, yet there is a deep sadness inside of me for my donor's family who I know is grieving a tremendous loss today. 

It's been a remarkable four years. FOUR YEARS! Four more years with my family and friends. Four more years to take vacations, four years continuing to work, to see my two-year-old nephew come into this world, and pretty soon, my new baby niece. Four years of ups and downs, but so much joy and laughter. None of this would have been possible without the gift of life given to me through organ donation. 

I have been doing some volunteering at The Transplant House of Cleveland. They provide affordable housing for families that are either waiting for a transplant, or have had a transplant, and need to stay near the Cleveland Clinic, or University Hospital in Cleveland if they live more than an hour from Cleveland. Patients come from all over the country, even the world, to the clinic for their second, and sometimes third chance at life. The Transplant House offers them affordable apartments while they spend weeks to months in Cleveland. I wouldn't be able to volunteer if my donor, and their family hadn't given me these beautiful lungs and heart.

The last year and a half since I have posted has been much better. I have been continuing the treatments for chronic rejection which began a year and a half ago. I had Nissen Fundoplication surgery a little over a year ago to correct acid reflux that was negatively impacting my lungs. I'm so proud to say that my lung function is higher now than it has ever been. My team at the clinic and I must be doing something right, and I'm elated. 

Now that I've spoken about the good stuff, there has been some struggles with my kidney's. I was told prior to transplant that I would need a kidney at some point because the anti-rejection meds wreak havoc on the kidneys. My function had been dropping significantly, although the last couple of months it has rebounded some. That being said, I met with the kidney transplant team on April 3rd, and if I am approved for transplant, they will most likely list me at an inactive status until my kidney function drops below 20% for three months in a row. Once that happens, they will transition me to an active status. Right now, they are functioning at around 30%, which is up from the 14-16% that they had been functioning with. I'm over the moon happy that they have improved some, and that the clinic is being proactive by putting everything into motion. If I can find a living donor I won't have to go through dialysis. I can handle another transplant, but I'm not looking forward to the possibility of having dialysis. We aren't there yet, but my doctors have encouraged me to look for a living donor. MUCH easier said than done, but it is possible. Right now, we are just staying hopeful that my kidneys are continuing to hang on as long as they can. I know when the time comes, I will be in great hands. It's a pretty easy transplant on my end. It should only be a three-day hospital stay as long as everything goes well. That's A LOT better than 3 months, and hopefully this time around we won't be in the middle of a pandemic so I can have some visitors! 

I'm in a really good place at the moment. I'm continuing to work, walking when time permits, spending time with my friends, family, and boyfriend, and his children. Life is good, and I am one very blessed woman.

I ask that if you are the praying type, please pray for my donor's family. Today has to be so very difficult. I did write to them a little over a year ago, but as of yet, they have not reached out to me. I deeply want them to, but I understand if they can't bring themselves to do so. 

Thank you to all of my friends, family, coworkers, and even strangers that have supported me on this journey the past 4 years. Statistically, 50-60% of lung transplant recipients are still alive at 5 years post, so here's to another year! 

Please, please consider organ donation. It's the ultimate gift, and there is nothing better than gifting someone extra time in this life. 

Much love to all of you, and here's to another year! 

Erin