Sunday, March 22, 2009

Follow a Friend


I am helping to author a new blog for my dear friend, Brittany. Some of you have seen a few earlier posts, where I briefly introduced her. She has agreed to let me help get the word out regarding her battle with cystic fibrosis.

This past week, she made a giant leap across the country from Seattle Children's to Duke University via Airlift Northwest. She is undergoing an evaluation to be considered for a double lung transplantation.

She has had a "minor" set back this week and had to be put on a ventilator. In her case, this isn't a horrible thing, but it does mean she will need the transplant sooner than later. The ventilator is helping to get oxygen into her lungs, so that her body can work to rid itself of CO2. Her levels were way too high, and something had to be done. She will undergo a surgery to place a trach tube so that she will be able to talk and eventually start her physical therapy regimen to get her strength up so her body can withstand the surgery and recovery.

I invite all my devoted supporters to take a look at her journey, and encourage you all to give her words of encouragement and support as you did for me through my battle with cancer. I don't know if you all will ever know how much it meant to me to read all your comments of love and support. When I was feeling low or just plain yucky, I could always log on and read all the wonderful things my friends and family wrote to encourage me to push on! I know many of you still check regularly for updates and I can't tell you how much it means to me. Brittany is a special girl and could really use all the encouragement and support we can give her. I think it is also so important for her family and friends as well.

Follow Brit's journey at www.brittanybreathes.blogspot.com

By the way, I am not sure when the healthlink special will air. I, like you, are anxiously awaiting its premier!