In lieu of the Letter from the Pastor, I would like to share with all of you a recent posting from Annie McMahon’s Facebook page.  Annie, as you may know, is a 20 year old parishioner and alumna of Annunciation School who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and has been fortunate to receive a second set of lungs.  We pray for Annie during her time of recovery, as well as Kelly (Annie’s first  donor) and the second donor, whose families have given Annie this incredible gift during their time of terrible sorrow. This Thanksgiving season, let us be grateful for all that we have received from the loving hand of God.

 

“The Comeback is Always Stronger than the Setback”

November 4, 2017

It’s been a whirlwind of emotion the past few days, in fact, even months. What started as a small pneumonia back on July 5th evolved into a second double lung transplant.

I haven’t posted as much as usual because I was weak and upset about my declining health. I could feel life slipping through my fingers faster and faster and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. After 4 months, on November 1st, the reality really hit me. I was on life support (ECMO), had a trach tube breathing for me and I was not able to talk or eat.

I know that God has a plan for us all and that very next day, when I felt at my lowest, He picked me back up and told me to continue fighting. We received the call on November 2nd and I knew that this time it was a GO. Since this was my second go around with transplant, I felt a bit more confident, but also afraid knowing what I would face post-surgery.

I knew I didn’t have to go through it alone. I had Kelly watching over to guide me. I am so grateful to God for bringing her to me and pulling me through the past year. Without her I would not have survived.  Knowing I had her with me made me feel more confident and comfortable.

I remember going into surgery, falling to sleep and the next thing I knew I was awake and breathing with my new lungs. I feel much stronger and this is my time for the comeback. The         comeback is always stronger than the setback. I plan on taking these lungs by storm. In the 3 days since surgery, I have been removed from ECMO, started trach-collaring and sat in a chair for about 3 hours. My lungs are doing well and my body is  slowly, but surely, catching up. My surgeon said it was tough one (10 hours!) but that I pushed through like a fighter.

So as I sit here and write this, I rest exhausted from a very full day. I am blessed to have two  angels in my corner and am constantly sending prayers to the families because I can’t imagine how they feel right now. I am excited to take on tomorrow and see what new accomplishments I will overcome. Most importantly, I am thankful for the whole army I have by my side.