Happy 2nd Breathday, Jody! (Cake colors chosen to match the colors of the Donate Life organization)
Today we celebrate. Today we remember. Today we grieve. This is the day, two years ago, when Jody received his new recycled lungs. Two years!?!? Has it really been that long already?! This time has passed quickly, yet for Jody’s donor family it must feel like an eternity. It’s been two. long. years. since they hugged, kissed, laughed, cried and spent time with their loved one. How they must ache for a day, an hour, or even a moment more. We couldn’t possibly get through this day without thinking of this family and grieving with them over a life gone too soon. I hold onto hope that someday we will have the opportunity to meet or communicate with this family, to let them listen to Jody’s their loved one’s lungs, and to learn more about the person who gave him life. Until that day, when our donor family is ready, be it one month or five years, we will honor them and wait with heavy hearts as we remember their ultimate sacrifice.
I’d like to think that somewhere on the East Coast this donor family is thinking of us today too. I bet they’re wondering how Jody is doing, or rather, how the lungs are doing. The truth is… they are functioning fantastically! Honestly, we couldn’t have imagined it so well, and really don’t understand how it’s even possible (apart from Divine intervention). Two years ago we were tangled in the chains of Jody’s old lungs, living under the dictatorship of Cystic Fibrosis and spending so.much.time. in the hospital. Jody’s new lungs have broken those chains and brought freedom into our lives. Obviously there are still medications (lots and lots of medications), blood work, tests and doctors appointments but that pales in comparison to the way things were just two years back.
Organ donation does powerful things, Jody is living proof! Today we remember Jody’s donor family who selflessly chose to give life in a painful time of death. We grieve for his donor and honor his/her memory. Today we also celebrate Jody’s profound courage and strength in the midst of a debilitating illness, death-defying surgery, and lengthy recovery. We celebrate his fight and incredible success. To God be the glory, great things He hath done!
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17
Now that this post is complete I’m going to take a few minutes to watch Jody’s transplant video and reminisce, won’t you join me?
CF Wife 