JUDY SCHWARTZ
February 17, 2006
50 years .. a real milestone ..
17 years with LAM and still radiant ....
__________________________
I was accepted for lung transplant on April 4, 2006.
I was at the end of my "Oxygen Rope" with my future beginning to fade away.
My LAM specialist, Dr. Marilyn Glassberg, said that a transplant was my ONLY hope.
July 6th I went in for my 3 month evaluation. Before taking my breathing test,
Jeff ran in the room and said ...
"You know that call we've been waiting for? You know that call we've been waiting for?"
The tears began to roll as I realized what he was saying!
Jeff said "They have LUNGS for you"
It was unbelievable, I was already here - and so ready -
I felt it was meant to be.
A women entered the room and said to me. "What is your name I will pray for you"
As I answered her she removed her mask and said "Judy, it's Karen"
We hugged, I was in shock!
Karen and I have known each other for eleven years.
I saw her before she was transplanted, I was at her one year lung anniversary, 10 years ago.
She was at the hospital for one of her 6 month check-ups.
Karen Couture* authored two books on
lung transplanation after being
the first LAM patient to get a double lung transplant at Shands Hospital.
The second book she hand delivered to me at my home in Parkland.
She has been my inspiration. She fought for double lungs,
knowing that a single lung for LAM patients would not be as successful.
Having her there at that moment, assured me, as another sign, that everything was perfect, meant to be.
My fears subsided, with the help of Angels, I took a deep breath,
and said "Here we go..."
________________________________
Double Lung Transplant
July 6, 2006
The Surgery began July 6th at 9:00 pm
and finished July 7th at 6:00 am,
a 9 hour SUCCESSFUL surgery ...
Shands Hospital - Gainesville, Florida
with the help of my Lung Transplant team and nurses,
Dr. Maher Baz, Dr. Olufemi Akindipe,
Dr. Edward Staples - Surgeon
_____________________________
A MIRACLE
A NEW LIFE
GIVEN THE GIFT OF LIFE!
WITH THE HELP OF ANGELS ....
Jeff was incredible - non stop
MY KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR
July 11, 2006
Nina arrives ...
Walking - NO oxygen!
July 20, 2006
Day 13 and doing GREAT ...
My Beautiful Family,
Zinn, Jerrica, Judy & Jeffrey,
with a FUTURE!!
Miriam & Barry arrive ...
____________________________
Dr. Marilyn Glassberg**, arrived in a Lear Jet the day after my surgery.
She walked into my room in ICU, that alone was indescribable, but she came, carrying Lungs for Maria!
Maria too, would be receiving the gift of life - just as I did.
Dr. Marilyn Glassberg has dedicated so many years of her life to finding a cure for LAM.
She knew that two of her oldest and perhaps her sickest LAM patients were getting a second chance at life.
Her help and support has been un-measurable.
________________________
Maria another LAM Miracle - 8 years of friendship & support
AND DOING GREAT!!!
July 21, 2006
LEAVING THE HOSPITAL - DAY 15
Let's go HOME ...
Amazing - look at this HOUSE ...
LOOK TOTAL FREEDOM
STAIRS ... OH MY GOODNESS!
NO PROBLEM!!
Judy is BACK ...
I want to THANK my family and friends for all their love and support.
And a very special thanks to my donor. She gave me the biggest gift one can give - the gift of life.
She also blessed others with her kidneys and liver.
Be an organ donor - it's all about life.
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The LAM foundation***, founded by Sue Byrnes, has been a life line.
Sue has brought hope to women with LAM and has initiated research and funding for this lung disease.
The Lamposium, an annual event has taken place for the past 10 years.
Patients, Families and Doctors come together to share their lives, research and hopes for the future.
We build friendships that will last forever.
My mother and I attended the Lamposium this year. I attended with oxygen, I made it, but I must say, it was very difficult.
Maria was too sick to attend and was represented by her parents.
A very successful event ended as my mother said to Tina, Maria's mother.
"Next year you and I will be here with our daughters with their newly transplanted lungs."
What insight - not really knowing that she was right!
And we will be there!!
______________________________
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* "The Lung Transplantation Handbook: A Guide for Patients"
Reveals the Inside Story on Lung Transplantation.
Double-Lung Recipient Writes A Life-Saving Guide for Patients.
Author: Karen A. Couture
**Dr. Marilyn Glassberg
more information
***The LAM Foundation.
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
http://www.thelamfoundation.org
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