New Lungs and Recovery

As most of you already know Leah had a double lung transplant on December 22, 2010. She has done marvelous with recovery and was released from Duke on December 31, 2010 and resting comfortably at the apartment in Durham, NC.

She still has stitches and staples in from the surgery but is continuing her rehab on a daily basis and seems to be adjusting well to her new lungs and to all of the new meds. Some days are harder than others but per her doctors she is right on schedule of where she should be. Leah is scheduled to see the Doctors tomorrow so if this changes I will try to keep everyone updated for the family and I am sure Terri will also update her facebook page.

The days are very busy for the family and I would assume they will continue to be for a while. Please continue to pray for Leah and her family through this next phase of their journey. I know the they appreciate all of the donations, support, prayers, cards and gifts that have been sent and everyone who has will continue to be a playing part in her recovery. Leah and her family feel so blessed that so many people love and care about them and it helps get them through the harder days that they have faced and may continue to face ahead.

Leah is such a fighter and I think everyone knows that now! I am still in shock and disbelief that it happened, how well she did in the hospital, that she got released less than 2 weeks post transplant and is still thriving. What a special gift she is and how lucky are we that we got to go through this experience with her. God is truly great! I believe in miracles now and I also believe in the miracle of prayer.

I was there with the family the night of the transplant and I am giving my own view of what I saw from a mother and the feeling of watching Terri when the doctor came out to say "your daughter came through with the flying colors and she is doing well", was a moment in my life that I will never forget. As Terri, cried, jumped for joy and at one point I thought she may even start doing kart wheels up and down the hallway of the hospital, I could only think to myself that maybe this family can once again regain some sort of normal life. Peace for Leah, Peace for Terri, her brothers, all of her extended family uncles, aunts, etc. and her boyfriend Nathan who has been absolutley wonderful to her through all of this.

Now that I have a son of my own I could not even begin to imagine what Terri has gone through herself as a mother. What must have been going through her head during that 7 and half hours of surgery and what relief she must have felt when the news came that all was well. I was proud to be in the same room with her at that moment because to me she became what I like to call a mommy hero. I could only hope that if I was faced with the same challenges that I could hold myself together in the same manner that she did.

I apologize in the delay of getting the blog updated but with the transplant and the holidays it was difficult to find the time to sit down. It has also been hard to comprehend what took place and that the fight was won and she made it, she did it!!

If you would like to send cards or gifts (please no fresh flowers per the doctors) the mailing address to the apartment is below:

4225 Larchmont Road
Apt. 307
Durham, NC 27707

If you would like to make a donation to Leah's 65 Roses Fund the mailing address is below:

Citizens & Farmers Bank - Varina Branch
Attention: Paula Tiller or Charlotte Thornton
c/o Leah's 65 Roses Fund (please make checks payable to this fund)
2651 New Market Road
Richmond, VA 23231

God Bless!!