Hi everyone!
This is kind of the day that I have been dreading. I have to be honest. But, as you know, my time in Cincinnati Ohio is over, and I had my first appointment with my pulmonologist in Iowa City yesterday. My lung function is bottom of the barrel low right now. If my lung doctor had it her way, I would get new lungs TODAY. I have had the desire to wait as long as I can b/c the fatality ratings all across the board (at surgery, 1 year after, and 5 years after) are WAY too high for what I am comfortable with. So, if I had it my way, I would wait until the last possible second. But, the voice of reason within my doctor is that if I get one little lung infection or pneumonia or anything, it could kill me on the spot. My body has severe auto-immune deficiency, and I would not be able to fight things off anywhere near a normal person. So, I have to get real about this. Obviously the chances of me getting new lungs when I am laying in ICU with a horrible infection or with a lung collapse are not good. So, I have to be smart about this. I have to think about the most important thing in my life besides God, and that would be Jay and the boys. So, I have to do what is right.
So, we are starting lung transplant procedures now. I need to know if I am even a candidate to receive the new lungs. This involves a serious work up of my body function and capabilites, financial work up, psychological work up, etc. My whole family and friends will have to go in to meet with the team and make sure they all understand the seriousness of the surgery and that I will need so much support at home. I will not be able to take care of my kids, myself, or anything by myself for SO LONG. I am talking 6 months to a year. So, I will need to rely on friends and family tremendously. And praise the Lord, my support system could not be any better than they are. It is just amazing. I have been so blessed.
Then, after I am told that I am a candidate to receive the new lungs, Jay and I will have to decide when to “push the button” and get on the list. The risk is that it could take 1 day (which I would not be ready for) or 9 months (which I could die waiting). So, I have to just really be in prayer about all of this and make the right decision. I have the absolute BEST pulmonary doctor, and I love how honest she is and how much she cares. And from what I hear from a good friend of mine who got new lungs in Iowa City 2 years ago and is doing great now, the team is just AMAZING. So, I would be in good hands.
To all of you who care and read my blogs, please pray for me. I do have the Peace of God that Surpasses ALL Understanding right now. I know that He has got this so under control. I don’t feel freaked out right now, if you can believe that. I know that God is in my corner, and I know that He has amazing plans for my life and that I am too young to die. He did not bless me with my beautiful little boys just to take me away from them. So, I am going to put all of my faith and trust in Him.
I will keep updating you all! Blessings and love to you. xoxoxo
Melanie Putnam 