Storms of Life

It's been a while since I last blogged, and as usual, things are always going great when I do not write as often as I should.  We have enjoyed all the lovely Fall weather, along with Lee's returning strength and endurance.  It has indeed been a blessing to see him enjoying his life to the fullest.  He truly does not waste time, and along with that, I try to keep up with him.

I began this blog with good news, because I love happy blogs!  I write today with sadness at losing another friend post lung transplant.  He died yesterday after having been home under the care of hospice since September.  His wife and I became friends two years ago, having been introduced through my blog by a mutual friend of ours.  Our friend did not have his lung transplant at Duke, rather at another area far from his home.  He began rejecting his lung last March, just one and one-half years after his transplant.  After being transferred to Duke, he and his wife, along with his family and friends had strong hopes that the rejection could be halted.  It was not to be, because the rejection was too advanced.  Lee and I visited them when he was at Duke and were encouraged by their prospects of hope.  Unfortunately, his only alternative in August was to have another transplant.  He decided against it, knowing without it, he would die in a few months.  I admire his courage and his courageous decision for his family.

I share this with you to let you know how we still hang onto those sunny days.  We know too well that a storm can happen at any time.  That is why we continue to be aware of the wind, the soil, the contagious illnesses, even the common cold.  These are our storms and we try to avoid them whenever possible.  Each month we receive e-mails from others that we have been connected to since Lee's transplant.  This past week has been particularly painful as we have learned of two more who have died.  Their time post transplant was two and three years.

Lee is now two and one-half years post transplant.  We pray each day that he will be granted a good day and be given many days on this earth.  We only need to be reminded of others to know how fragile life is and how it is a gift to be enjoyed to the fullest.

The storms have raged around us this week.....a Noreaster....they say.  There are people suffering throughout the U.S.  We are to be reminded of so many things to be thankful for and to remember those affected by storms in our prayers.  Our friend's family will make it through their storm of loss and they will remember the sunny days once again.  Please remember them in your prayers.

More Later...................................Brenda