Suzanne’s Story

Site created on August 10, 2018

Suzanne was diagnosed with fibrotic Nonspecific Insterstitial Pneumonitis in spring of 2018, a form of Insterstitial Lung Disease / Pulmonary Fibrosis. The cause of this disease is unknown, but one contributing factor can be stomach acid getting into the lungs and creating lesions and scars. For 5-6 months she has been on Imuran, an anti-inflammatory that we hoped would help her regain some lung function by reducing the inflammation in her lungs. On Monday, July 30th, 2018, she underwent surgery to correct a hiatal hernia and to do a Nissen fundoplication so as to stop her GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux), which is a typical treatment for various forms of ILD. But after the surgery her NSIP flared up, and she has had to be on oxygen ever since then. She is currently in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC, on a two-week treatment of Cytocan and IVIG. We are hoping this treatment works so that she can move to rehab and recovery and eventually come home. 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Amanda French

Mama's funeral will be graveside at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA, on Saturday, September 15th, at 2pm. There will be a reception following at a place to be determined. Our Blackwell cousin Krissy Gathright, who works with Marriott, has very kindly and generously offered to help out with hotel rooms, so you can hold off on making hotel reservations until we find out more about that. Will send more details when I have them. Spread the word to anyone you think might want to come.

(UPDATE 8/31: Cousin Krissy has arranged a discounted rate of $149 per night at the Richmond Marriott near the cemetery for the nights of 9/14 and 9/15. Use the link https://book.passkey.com/e/49776337

 

or call 1-800-228-9290 and say you're with the Suzanne Frizzell funeral to get that rate.)

Mama's brother John has written the obituary, and it will be in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Raleigh News and Observer, and newspapers in upstate NY and in Colorado sometime soon, and that too will include funeral information. 

(UPDATE 8/31: Mama's obituary in the News & Observer is at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsobserver/obituary.aspx?n=suzanne-blackwell-frizzell&pid=190068639 )

For those who are local in the Raleigh area, we are also holding an informal wake for neighbors and friends to come together to remember Mama at our home on Tuesday, August 21st, anytime after 6pm. Dogs and kids welcome. We will provide light refreshments, but you are welcome to bring food or drink. Hope to see you there. 

If you would like to make a donation in Mama's name, we recommend four organizations: 

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