Tom’s Story

Site created on January 28, 2022

Thank you so much for being a part of our lives.  Your thoughts, prayers, and support are carrying us through this journey.  We have been blessed by each one of you and we want to let you all know what is happening to our family now and as we go through this challenge.

Tom received a double lung transplant on March 26th, 2022. He was put on the list in December after months of exhaustive testing and meeting many qualifications to become a recipient.  He is a great candidate because he is very young, otherwise healthy, and he has a LOT to live for. 

We do not have concrete answers about why Tom's lungs are scarred so significantly that he cannot breathe without supplemental oxygen.   The scar tissue is also putting a lot of pressure on his heart.  We believe that it was multifactorial: years of service as a firefighter, a genetic disposition, and a COVID infection in December 2020.   As his lungs continue to decline, he has been fighting for all of us.  

Given what a challenging adjustment this has been, and how it will affect our lives for years to come, it is incredible to watch Tom continue to be a devoted father, loving husband, dedicated to his work, and enjoying his friendships.  He has thrown baseballs to the kids on our back deck while he is limited by the length of his oxygen leash. 

Our lives continue to change every day and it will be a difficult journey for all of us. The wait for the transplant and the 6 hour surgery is behind us. Now we are in the crucial 90 day window post transplant and will enter the required ongoing care that will be a part of our lives forever.  The kids understand that they will have to miss birthday parties during flu season.  As the world puts face masks away, our kids will always have to wear masks in crowded areas to make sure not to catch anything that could harm their dad.   Virginia, ever vigilant, brings his home oxygen cannula to him when he comes home from the doctor.  Aaron is an excellent butler, always fetching what is needed.  Jacob keeps us honest and helps us plan for future fun. Blake is our best cheerleader, full of hugs and snuggles. All of the kids keep us dreaming, watching travel shows together right now until we can travel together again. We are all adjusting and I'm so proud of my family. 

It will be a long journey.  Initial recovery will take 6-12 months.  It will be worth it.  We look forward to the day when we don't have to worry about how much oxygen we have to bring with us or how far Tom has to walk.   Ongoing recovery will be life long.   We will always be tied to Emory.  We are still learning about how our lives will be changed forever.

Thank you for joining us on the journey.  We gratefully receive your prayers and well wishes.  So many of you have asked how you can help.  We are overwhelmed with your love. Thank you.  As we learn more we will share when we can.  Caring Bridge streamlines our communication and ways you can help us.  

I will post here to keep you updated.  We love you all.  We know you are with us.

Newest Update

Thursday night baseball

Journal entry by Jennifer Burrell —

Today has been an eventful day!  Tom got up to 3.5 on the treadmill today at Pulmonary Rehab.  He hasn’t see that number in years.  He is pushing himself to get stronger and stronger.  I cannot believe we were leaving the hospital less than 2 weeks ago.  

Tom is still eating a full liquid diet so I have been perfecting my smoothie, milkshake, and grits recipes.  I finally hit the perfect grits consistency with lots of milk, full whipping cream, butter, and cheese.  I think any Southern Grandma would be proud.  

We took a trip to Gwinnett to visit my favorite hairstylist, Joi, who has been doing my hair since our wedding 14 years ago.  She transformed Tom’s pre-transplant hair into magnificence! Tom has also shed his winter mustache for his smooth spring face.  It was a full transformation.  

We ended our evening on the baseball field watching Jacob get the first hit of the game that resulted in the first run.  It was wonderful to play catch with Aaron and the girls played with friends.  

What a day!
Read More of the journal titled "Thursday night baseball"
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