After four months of waiting, I finally get to say my Duke appointment is this week! I’ll go by myself on Friday for a wide variety of pulmonary function tests and then Steve will return with me next Monday to get results from my new doctor, a pulmonologist and lung transplant specialist.
Unfortunately, over the past several days, I’ve developed a sore throat, husky voice, and a hacking cough. If I get too sick to go to this appointment (I had to cancel the last one due to illness), I will not be a happy camper. Trying to take care of myself and hope for the best.
With Duke, lungs, and pulmonologist already on my mind, I have been following with special interest a story that is unfolding in the lives of another Outer Banks family.
Nathan and Tricia Lawrenson are ministry colleagues of ours. Tricia has CF and since 2008, has gone through two lung transplants. At the start of 2019, her lung function began to drop until it got to the point where she recently went back to Duke for a week of testing to see if she was a candidate for a rare third lung transplant. (Duke has only done five of them so far.)
Thankfully, she was approved.
With two children at home, she and Nathan left the Outer Banks for Durham yesterday to begin the month of physical therapy that is needed before she can be listed.
As you can imagine, leaving two children behind, knowing they will be apart for several months, was a hard thing to do.
Knowing the difficulty of the parting, a friend of theirs gathered a couple of hundred people to line their street and send them off with an enthusiastic showing of love and support.
Here is a sweet video from the event. (Nathan knew about it but Tricia didn’t.)
I have included an additional link if you are interested in reading a little more of their story. It includes having a miracle baby (1 pound, 6 ounces) just a few weeks before Tricia had her first double lung transplant and then getting cancer in her new lungs just a few weeks after the transplant. This family has been through the worst of times and has come out on the other side. And they are facing tough times yet again.
If you are interested in donating toward the cost of this transplant and the associated expenses, here is the link.
Please join me in praying for this faith-filled family who, in the darkest times, continue to smile and continue to shine.
What about you? Share a time when you had someone do something nice for you (or a family member or friend) when going through a rough time.
Becky,
My prayers are with you as you head to Duke this morning…prayers for a safe trip, prayers for testing that goes smoothly, prayers for good, definitive results, prayers for a correct diagnosis, prayers for treatment and/or medications that are helpful, and prayers for you to find some peaceful, calm time and photo opportunities (we all love your photos), prayers that you find interesting thrift shops to investigate and prayers for your well-being during the trip. Also adding prayers for your family, who will anxiously waiting for you. Hugs to you all.
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
Thanks so much for the prayers and for thinking of me on this big day. I love how specific you were with the things you are praying for–there truly are so many areas to think about and be concerned about.
Your comment was a great encouragement today!
Becky, sending prayers that your Duke visit can happen this week! Then, prayers on top of those prayers, that you get good news on Monday, and a hopeful plan moving forward. I followed the Lawrenson family for a while, when you shared their story years ago. My! How the kids have grown! What a sweet video, and beautiful send off, during such an emotional time. Will definitely keep them on the prayer list.
To answer your question about having someone do something nice during a rough time: I live a distance away from extended family, and have traveled to them during sad and stressful times. Some of the kindest gestures I’ve received have been from complete strangers in airplanes, waiting rooms, and at checkout counters. I’m not one to openly share, but don’t always hide feelings and emotions away, when someone genuinely asks “How are you doing? Where are you going?” Sincere hugs, smiles and kind words are so important to offer, and sometimes the best medicine for an aching heart. I try be open to others, you never know what someone might be going through.
Ann,
What a wonderful comment and what a great reminder of just how much kindness showed to strangers (and kindness received from strangers) can make such a difference in someone’s life.
I’m glad you have experienced the beautiful side of humanity when you have been out and about during stressful, sad times. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
I am so glad the week is finally here for Duke. I will pray that you are better and able to make it. And I will continue to pray for the appointments.
I am also praying for Tricia and her family. Sounds like she has a tough road ahead of her.
Also…I’ve been wondering about your finger (from the Thing post last week). Did you ever find out what it was? Is it better?
God Bless~!
Krista,
Thanks for checking in my finger. My finger and I appreciate it! 🙂
The color has largely gone away although occasionally a slight coloring will reappear. A very strange thing!
Thanks for the prayers about Duke and words of encouragement!
Wow. Prayers for you as your Duke appointment approaches that you stay healthy and are able to make it. Prayers also for Tricia and her family. I used to follow her but lost touch quite some time ago. What a fighter and incredible family.
Safe travels!!
LeeAnne,
Thanks for the prayers and encouraging words! Am very thankful that it is Duke Week!
You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers as you prepare for your upcoming visits to Duke. Please try to get the rest you need to stay as healthy as possible. Your video of Tricia and Nathan gave me chills; yes, I watched all of it.
Fred and Lucy,
I know–wasn’t that video amazing? I love seeing the caring and loving side of people.
Prayers that you are able to make your Duke appointment this week! I have followed Trisha’s story for years and was so happy to see she had been approved for a third transplant and have been praying for all involved for that 3rd transplant to happen.
Sue Ellen,
I can’t even begin to imagine a third transplant! She is such a courageous young woman!
Prayers for Tricia and her family. This reminds me of a middle school aged boy that my sister-in-law taught in their town of about 10k. He had gone through cancer treatment at Children’s Mercy Hospital in KC for cancer in multiple organs. When he finished treatment one time and his parents were bringing him home, all the middle school students and teachers lined the street in front of the school. He was so surprised to see all his classmates and teachers waving them home.
My specialist wants to do a procedure next week. It will require someone to take me to the hospital and bring me home. I had put it on the prayer list for my SS class yesterday but my teacher put that it needed to be rescheduled instead of scheduled. Within 30 minutes of the email going out, one of my classmates called from her vacation in Hawaii! She said she didn’t know it had been scheduled. Later another classmate called and said she would be happy to take me. I finally got in touch with the hospital today, they had called last week on my landline but I was at my parents all week. After I knew the date, I updated our prayer list. I think I had three more people ask if I needed a ride. When I fractured my kneecap two years ago, I had several classmates as well as neighbors and coworkers bring me food, pick up my mail, take my trash and recycling to the curb and other errands..
Prayers the you are able to go to your appointment and you finally get some answers.
Phyllis,
It sounds like you are blessed with an amazing circle of friends and neighbors. Isn’t it great to be reminded that we are loved and appreciated by those around us?
I pray your procedure goes well. Take good care!
Thanks so much for the update on Tricia. I had lost touch with them after the second transplant. God bless with all the emotional battles ahead as well as physical ones. So glad your appointment is coming up soon. People have been so good to us since my diagnosis June 21, 2017. I am saving all the cards received and I have two Afghans made and sent to me as well as caps and shirts. Prayers and texts and calls have been wonderful. God is good and I know I am one of His miracles. Prayers for you, Becky.
Ann,
I’m so glad you’ve been surrounded by such beautiful support since your diagnosis. You do SO much for others. Grateful to see those kindnesses returned back to you