My Double Lung Transplant

Saturday, August 7, 2010

1 year ago today


On the 7th day, of the 8th month, of the 9th year, a single star fell. And when it did, my world alligned. Suddenly, things had fallen into place for me...


Here I am, one whole year later. At 12.45am on August 7th, 2009, the phone rang.


"Hi Brianne, it's Trillum Gift of Life calling. We have a set of lungs for you. How soon can you get here...?"


And so the journey began.


Has it been a year already? Because I'm pretty sure it feels like yesterday.


So off to Toronto we rushed. We got there at 2am, and I got xrays and the like done. Then we spent the next 16 hours waiting in a frigid ICU room for the go-ahead. I couldn't eat, so everyone around me had Tims while I feasted on ice chips. Finally, at 7:20pm, i went into surgery and came out 10 hours later.


And i've been rockin' ever since.


Only 80% of transplant people survive the 1st year.


For once, I am in the positive side of the majority, and I intend on keeping it that way for a very long time.


On Tuesday I got my donor letter...


I remember walking to the mailbox and feeling sick to my stomach. I knew it had arrived. I read it in the backyard and cried. Much of my speculations were confirmed.


My donor was a man in his early 50's. He was a husband and a father. He died of a stroke at dawn on the 6th of August. And now, he is my hero.


It's crazy what a year can bring...what a year can do and a year can change. I will be wearing my t-shirt today with pride:)


Much love to you all, and especially my donor and his wonderful family (who wants to keep up writing back and forth - how lucky am i?)


Happy 1st birthday to me:)

4 comments:

Amy said...

That is so amazing about your donor letter Bree!!! I'm glad they want to keep writing. A piece of him is alive and well in you. What amazing people they are to give the gift of life at a time when they were losing their beloved. Organ donors truly are heros!!!!!!

Jess said...

Yay for one year!! Amazing

Jess said...

Happy lungiversary! What great timing with that donor letter, too. :)

Passages to the Past said...

What an amazing post! Happy 1st Birthday for sure! I am totally inspired by what an incredibly strong woman you are and tearing up over the selflishness of your donor. This post helps remind me that there are truly wonderful people out there.