I'm a PW, but I don't care: friend with CF is getting lung transplant!!!! T&Ps.

[Deleted User]

I guess I'm a PW today, but I don't care.

a good friend of mine, who I've grown up with and known my whole life, was dying due to his CF.  he's 31 years old and has been in and out of the hospital the past few months... maybe a year, actually.  he has not been doing well: the doctors gave him 78 hours to live over the weekend.  I know so many people across the country who knew him were praying and sending any kind of positive energy to him and his wife.  we were all pulling for him...  if anyone should have another chance, it's this guy.

we just received word that a lung donor match has been found and he's going in for surgery.  I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude and all sorts of emotions.  I know many here may not be very religious or "crunchy", but I am just so thankful that our prayers were heard, or that all the "positive energy and vibes" worked.  whatever you want to call it, it's working!

now we're just pulling for him to make it through surgery and the transition afterwards.  please, please, PLEASE think good thoughts/pray/send vibes/whatever for this man.  I don't normally post T&P posts, or even respond to them...  but this time, I just wanted to share.  I'm sitting here just crying because I'm so overwhelmed.  I really didn't think he was going to get a transplant.  I had resigned myself to the fact that I was going to lose a good friend; we all knew this was coming, it was just a matter of when.  I realize that something could still happen, but we are SO CLOSE.

so, I guess I'm here to just share in my joy, and ask that you all help me to pray and think good thoughts for my friend.  he and his wife are very important people to me.  thanks ladies! 

Elle1036

Oh, wow!  What wonderful news (I always feel weird saying that, because someone had to die to supply the donor organs, but still...)!

CF is a disease I've always felt really close to.  I'll be keeping your friend in my thoughts.

bethsmiles

It's amazing news that they found him a lung! Being on the donor list is scary stuff. I will keep your friend in my thoughts and prayers. He will come through this, I know you really won't be able to breathe that sigh of relief though until it's all over though. *hugs*

[Deleted User]

thanks Elle.  I know when I was talking about it or praying for a transplant, I felt so wrong to have to hope for someone else's death in order to save someone I love.  I can't explain it, but I am just thankful.  so, so, so thankful.

there was another boy (younger, in high school) that I was acquainted with who received a transplant and he has been doing fabulously.  I can only hope the same for my friend!

ETA:  thanks beth!  the surgery is scheduled to start at 7PM CST, and last 6 hours...  I will be so relieved come tomorrow morning to hear that he made it through and is doing well.  so excited!!

bethsmiles

Don't look at it as hoping for or being happy for someone's death. Look at it as being grateful that someone who died was willing to make this last gift so that someone else (your friend - and probably others) could have another chance at life. It's a beautiful thing.

[Deleted User]

you're totally right...  it's what I was feeling, but couldn't express in words.  thanks again!

ravenray

I will be praying for your friend.  I hope everything works out for him and the transplant goes smoothly.  *hugs*

jaycee7389

Wow that is wonderful!!

Peaseblossom55

Thought and prayers go out to your friend.  I hope everything works out great for him.

NurseyK

Wow, that is incredible. I can't wait to hear your update tomorrow!

jorja86

That's amazing, Coco! I'll say a prayer for your friend, and those performing his surgery that everything goes well. 

Organ donation is such an amazing gift. 

[Deleted User]

here is the report we have from his family:  "

His surgery went well, and he is in ICU now. He had a double lung transplant. The doctors said he got these lungs just in time, that he was almost on his last breath. They had a hard time at the beginning of the surgery due to his condition."

so now we just wait for that transition period after the transplant when he's on crazy amounts of immuno-suppressant drugs.  if he makes it through that, then we've got a lot better chance of making it in the long run.

I don't know if his CF had infected other organs (pancreas, kidneys, whatever) but hopefully it's just his lungs and he's on his way to a long and HEALTHY life.

it makes me so thankful for my health.  I don't want to take it for granted.  and I'm so thankful for my friend!  very excited and joyful this morning. 

peekaboo2011

Glad it went well Coco!  I'll be keeping him in my thoughts!

erbear84

I'm two days late on this (and not a regular here, just bored at lunch) but my FI has CF and one of his good friends had a double lung transplant several years ago and is doing phenomenal.  FI's lungs have always been relatively clear (his form of CF affects his pancreas/digestion more) but I know that this is a possibility in the future.

I'm really happy to hear your friend is doing well!