My Mom is a Warrior! When I was 17, (I’m 35 now) she lost her left leg, just weeks later, I watched her hop up the stairs to her office. She was a determined single Mom, I’ll give her that. When that prosthetic leg was ready, she was unstoppable. I thought that was the biggest battle she’d ever fight and she did it with a smile. FAST FORWARD – 2017 I got the call her kidneys were shutting down. 5 years of dialysis, septic a couple times, I don’t think misery is a big enough word. She was done fighting, but I encouraged her to come to Nashville, TN with me and go to Vanderbilt, to please her children she did just that and in 2021, we experienced God’s mercy and grace first hand, At 12:36am, June 17, 2021, the helicopter landed with her 2nd chance at life. As they wheeled her into surgery, she was crying for the family of her donor. Someone died so she could live.
Most, like me, would think she’s won another battle. That’s it, she got her kidney.
Calling her case Complicated would be an understatement. Three surgeries, (wound vacs were the toughest for ME to appreciate as a remedy. OMG a 5 inch deep, open wound). Our ole’ girl was fighting again to save her gift.
Since transplant, she’s suffered two cardiac incidents, 95 % blockage in her main artery repaired, hair loss, lost sight completely in her right eye. It’s not over…As I write this, in the past two weeks, she’s had another eye surgery, spent 8 days in the hospital as her heart rate dropped to 30, she’s scheduled for heart surgery on the 13th of next month, again it’s a rare situation, heart misfiring and throwing PVC’s every other beat, she’s scheduled for esophageal repair, she’s having trouble swallowing. She had 7 skin cancers removed this week from her face and biopsies. Infusion therapy for bone weakness. It’s crazy, all the side effects of Anti-rejection meds. They’ve tried them all.
After transplant, before all the side effects, she, along with my youngest sister who’s a nurse, took Guardianship of my two nieces and my nephew. The two little ones have cystic fibrosis. Breathing machines, feeding tubes, one with severe PTSD. After a Make-a-wish trip I accompanied my sister on to Disney. I saw the real battles and God Bless my sister, she’s been taking care of my Mom and these precious little ones.
After spending $1600 in the past two weeks on med changes and co-pays and a long list of appointments and surgeries coming up, I heard my Mom, the fighter speaking to her medical team with advanced directives in hand, decide she’s a burden. She cried as she shared, it takes everything we have to take care of the kids, I can’t do this to Lexi.
I’m reaching out for some assistance with the upcoming medical bills and to move the kids and Lexi to Nashville from South Georgia, so I can help her with the kids and Mom. It’s truly too much for one person to handle. The Children’s Hospital, Lexi visits 4 times a year for CF is in Chatanooga, so this is truly the best solution. Mom’s care team is encouraging a move here if we can make it happen. She’s come too far to be discouraged or give up because the money gave out.
I’ve reapplied for grants through Vanderbilt and another foundation. It’ll take some time, but I do see it happening in the near future. My Mom always says God is in this story, I know she has Heaven in her future but that’s a long time from now!!
Thank you for listening to our story. I’m posting some photos of her journey… She always has this smile!
Christian