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*Scroll to the bottom for an Update*
Wow!  As I am writing this campaign for my Mother Patricia Cooper I can’t believe it has been 6 years since the beginning of her medical mystery!  My parents have been married for almost 50 years and we are originally from Hagerstown, MD.  My parents now live in Elgin, SC and they have 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren.  In 2014 my Mom began experiencing shortness of breath when walking.  This began the journey of much research and traveling the east coast of the United States visiting various specialist to try and find the reason of her being unable to breath.  Even after consulting with a top Physician in Canada we still were getting nowhere.  She was diagnosed with Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonia (A form of Pulmonary Fibrosis)but it still did not explain to us why she couldn’t breath with extertion.  My Mothers’ Mother died from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis at the age of 62 but my Mothers disease did not look the same.  She has had every test completed you can think of and most of them repeated at every new facility we visited.  Over the last 2 years her breathing has worsened and she finds it difficult to complete simple daily tasks.  If she goes out she has to be in a wheel chair due to her oxygen levels dropping.  In my research I found a rare disease called Hepatapulmonary Syndrome and after reading all of the symptoms I knew that this was what she had!  After bringing this up to her Doctors no one was really sure if she had it or not and we knew we had to keep pushing and not give up!  We visited Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville in February 2020.  I was walking down a hall and a picture on the wall grabbed my attention…It said “When the World says, “Give Up”, Hope Whispers, “Try it One More Time.”  I knew God was telling us to not give up and keep going!  Mayo referred my Mom to Duke in Durham, NC.  They were not going to see her because her file at this point was a jumbled pile of opinions from Doctors all over.  I called and spoke to the intake Nurse Coordinator and after speaking with her she decided to bring her in for a consultation. This was a huge blessing but of course God has orchestrated all of this!  Fast forward to August 2020, my Mom underwent a Lung Transplant evaluation at Duke and was told that her lungs are good and that she needs a Liver Transplant and she was finally diagnosed with no question with Hepatapulmonary Syndrome (HPS).  The liver should fix the problem of her oxygen bypassing her lungs and she should be able to breath again within a few months.  She was a difficult case but we thank everyone that had a hand in her care thus far and a Huge Thank You to Duke University Hospital for not giving up!  My Mom should be called very quickly for her transplant and my parents have to relocate to Duke immediately and are unsure of how long they will be there!  This is going to be very difficult and exhausting!  We would like to say “Thank You”  to everyone who has been on this longsuffering trial with our family!  The thoughts, prayers, meals, visits, and kind words have not gone unnoticed and have been greatly appreciated more than words can express!  The Immunosuppressants after surgery will be very costly as well as the relocation.  Anything you are able to donate would be much appreciated! Please also pray for the surgery and recovery! I have told you these things, so that in me you may have perfect peace.  In the world you will have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous (be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy);  I have overcome the world.  My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding. John 16:33 AMP

Update as of 2/2/2021

My Mother received her liver transplant on 12/14/2020! A few weeks in she began to have several complications and the Dr.’s told us she would not live and there was nothing further they could do. They wanted us to turn the life support machines off and we said “NO”! God is in control and whatever He decides will be the outcome but we will not interfere with that.  As of today the liver is functioning well. Her kidneys had an acute injury and she is currently on dialysis. We are praying that her kidneys begin to function on their own. We were told that her lungs would not recover however she is showing miraculous signs of improvement with her lung function. Thank you to all who have donated to my parents during this difficult time. The funds are being put to good use and are providing assistance with monthly rent, food, and gas. Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation! May God Bless you all! 

**Update as of 5/16/2021**
It has been a very long 9 months with many dark clouds and uncertain moments! As of today my Mom’s tracheostomy was removed and she is on very little oxygen which is unbelievable! Her liver is working great and things have progressed very quickly in a short period of time! She is eating, beginning to walk, and she is getting stronger every day! We hope that she will be released in the near future and will transition to either home or a rehab facility, not sure of the details yet. God has been so amazing and has answered our prayers throughout this journey! The last piece of the puzzle is for her kidneys to be restored and begin to function! All of your thoughts, prayers, blessings, monetary donations, and kind gestures have been so much appreciated and we couldn’t have done this without all of you!! My Mom loves all of you and is very thankful for your love & friendship! All of the staff at the hospital say she is a miracle…and most of them didn’t believe in miracles or the miracle worker until NOW! God gets all the glory forever & ever! Amen! Love & blessings to you all!

**Update as of 10/10/21**
After 305 days of being admitted at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC my Mother will be getting discharged and coming home on Friday 10/15/21! We prayed for this day to come and we are so excited to welcome her & my Dad home after a very long journey! My Dad is so committed and never left her side. He has been with her every day all day for the entire stay! Even the hospital staff admire his love and true dedication to caring for my Mom! It has been exhausting physically, mentally, and emotionally! We thank everyone for their continued prayer and support & appreciate all of the love! We pray that once she settles at home things will continue to go well! God has truly done a miracle and HE gets ALL the Glory! We must all continue to live a life of prayer, belief, and thanksgiving despite our circumstances. This life is temporary but the final destination is forever free of trouble, pain, loss, and heartache! And everyone said…

“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭42:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/job.42.2.NKJV

 

 

 

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