Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

To all the people who have been a part of my transplant journey… I would like to take this time to thank you from the bottom of my shiny, new lungs.  If it weren’t for All ya'll, I would not and could not have done any of this with the grace, courage and endurance which I drew on like bright, sunshine to my mornings and moon glows to my nights. 

The road, thus far, has been a "relatively-easy-looking one from afar", but I realize now that it was one that took place only by the Grace of God.  He has been getting me ready for this my whole life… and I thought CF was hard. When you think that your burden is enough and you can't handle any more. Trust me, say a little prayer to TEST yourself and put a little more on you.  YOU can bear it through Him. You will do the most growing at this time. Trust is a big word, but it has worked for me, my whole life. You're stronger than you think! I'm not friends with WUSSeS!  LOL!

This is new, so it’s only natural that it seems like more of a challenge, but I know in time the Lord will reveal to me, as if He hasn’t already, what I will have in store for the rest of my earth-walking presence here.  I know it will be all good-doings and I look forward to helping others, as I have in the past with their life challenges, as well as great joy in just living and breathing. So many folks have told me that I have been an inspiration to them already, but I'm just a human being trying to survive as everyone else. A quote struck from Eric Melito's wall on Facebook which said: "You never know how strong you are until that is the only choice you have". I know each and everyone of you could, possibly do this, but it "definitely ain't for wusses!"  I am amazed at all the stories you overhear in "Transplant city".

I would like to thank a few people here and I hope and pray that I don’t miss any of ya’ll, but if I do… please know that my gratefulness IS present. If I actually listed names of everyone I know I would miss someone to remember later and then be remiss to not have mentioned them. So I won't LIST anything or anyone besides this blog.   Between the over thirty pills a day I am currently on and the stroke, my memory is just not the same in all the fog I have been through these past three and a half months. As Caroline says..."What happened to my PatPat?", meaning that I was so squared away before...I hope the cloudiness wears off.

My Donor Family, whom I am indebted to for life as I would not be here today probably. That family in perhaps their time of grief (maybe not so, as Donors can stipulate beforehand whether they want to have their organs recycled) who obviously took the worst case scenario in their lives to give a total stranger the Miraculous Donation of Life. I hope to meet them one day and show my gratitude.   I pray for that to happen and perhaps have a little closure for them knowing that ''She lives life, because life lives within her.” If my donor hadn't have come along at God's precise time, I truly believe that I would not be here today. So, that said. THANK YOU from the bottom of my "lungs" and then some!  I am so entirely grateful to my donor.

I'd like to THANK my Team of Transplant Doctors, Surgeons, Specialists, Nurses and Staff members who were instrumental in doing their jobs.  If it weren't the faith and trust I had in them, I don't know if I would have been so calm when I got the call.  Although it didn't go without a hitch, I truly believe it was amazing experience and I can't thank them ALL enough!

Most of you know by now, I am a mom to three girl “dogters”--long-haired Dachsunds whom I love like my own babies (I guess if you don’t have “babies” of your own and never could have them you don’t get it, but it brings out the selflessness, mothering instinct I need to get through life) and they were at the forefront of my mind and one of my first priorities in deciding to go through in this in the first place.  They are very sensitive and therefore, it has taken a toll on them to some extent as well as me with worry and anxiety.  THANKFULLY, I had a “TEAM” of  TRISHKEV Doggie Sitter Warriors who love them and stepped in at the blink of a eye when they were needed.  There were also others who so graciously offered to slip in for doggie duty and I appreciate you all.

Neighbors and life long friends: Stephen and Katie Nicholson (Stephen was in Kevin's HS Barbershop Quartet)

Our doggie sitter and long Bluegrass friend: Jane Laughlin

Neighbor and friend from a former house we lived in: Jeanne Corley

Next Door Neighbors and friends: Sharon and Larry Behringer

Pulling in the reins of the doggie duty, finally… is my mother, Anita Dingman, who so graciously stepped forward and came to Texas for over three months to take care of her grand-babies.  That helped me relax and recuperate in Houston so much better knowing that continuity of care from a family   THANK YOU for everything you have done, mom, I love you so much and your support and love is beyond measure. You were at my side during the evaluation process and helped me every step of the way.  I couldn’t have done that without you. I know it’s “not” a hardship when it’s your daughter, but know I appreciate you taking such precious time away from your “George” during all of this. It is, and will all worth it. Especially taking long walks and endless mile bike rides. I love you.
member would be the thing for my girls.

Also, from the beginning, I was blessed by offers from monetary donations, both great and small, in support of our financial strain during this whole endeavor. We could not and cannot do this without you. You all have so diligently and attentively supplemented and supported us. Kevin had to take the whole three weeks off when I was recovering in the hospital post transplant.  We are so grateful as this will alleviate some of our bills. I don’t know how people do this without the amount of support that I have received.  If I haven't personally written you a thank you letter, please know that I have done so in my mind and heart!  I was writing them steadily until I got so exhausted so I just could not do so anymore. I lost track of whom I wrote and didn't.... but I want to thank EACH and EVERY ONE of you from the bottom of my heart!!! For your cards, letters, checks and works of Art in the mail! It really made my day every single there was mail call! I am working on many more thank you notes every day...although my calligraphy is not up to par yet due to shakiness in my hand from the anti rejection meds and steroids I am currently taking. I am forever grateful!

To my “Houston Family” whom we lived with for a month when we first touched down on this embarkment, I owe them a huge THANKS. Pat and Lucien Lynch, thank you doesn’t even describe the words I have for you.  Taking in two people, “sight-unseen” to just have them live with you for unknown months is a gesture of pure kindness and love. From the moment I met you on that afternoon when we came to Houston for the lunch of great, Italian lasagna, when you made us feel like family, welcoming us into your home with your four-legged friends Bailey (RIP), Sam and Buddy dog, we felt at ease and right at home.  THANK YOU!  I am indebted to you forever and I know I’ve made a lifelong friend.  I’d like to say a shout out to Kevin (grandson) as well for helping us move when we finally went to the apartment, Mike who was always there to lend advice of eateries and great music venues, Carla (Lucien’s sister) who seemed to be my Lucky Charm the night before I got the call for my transplant and the rest of the family we had the pleasure of meeting.  A HUGE THANK YOU is included for the COUSIN of Lucien, Teresa Berthiame, who instrumented this whole introduction to my COUSIN, Caroline.  They are best friends in Hawaii. Sometimes, I wish I had grown up in a big, Italian family. I love you so, too!  I hope to meet you someday!

Next, I want to thank a man I don’t even know, personally… he came from nowhere, after over thirty years ago when he went to High School with my husband, Kevin.  He offered many, many dollars worth of MILES, he had accumulated through his business, to get my peeps to Texas where I needed them.  Stuart Bailey, although we never met, I’ve thanked YOU in my prayers over and over again for your generosity and love through this ride.  Facebook is so wonderful in uniting people from all walks of life.  Thank YOU so very much!

A man who has a heart of GOLD, whom I’ve never met and I have grown to know and love is Eric Melito, the “Just Breathe” T-Shirt man.  Although the whole campaign for the shirts were started when my high school class, back in the Adirondack mountains of New York, wanted to do something substantial for me… stemming from Donna Baugh-Konuch with Audre Ellis taking the ball and running, so to speak (she always did that well) . Between my lettering on the shirt and Eric and wife, Lois’ generous donation of time and profits for a worthy cause (which is what these wonderful people do for others) this has made me the biggest fan and I hope to meet you one day, Eric!  I would love that! THANK YOU, all! The support of my High School and rallying around my hometown of Corinth was so very heartwarming to see. THANK you. http://www.oneon1design.com/

Dr. Caroline (YES! Another Caroline) Willette-Hill, my sister-in-law, whom is honestly the busiest person I know who took the time to fly to Houston for one night for me.  That gesture, in itself,  made my already overstretched heart burst from love. THANK YOU, sweet sister!  I hope we can have some bread pudding sometime soon and sing some of that “Puttin’ on the Ritz” song!

Dr. Gaber and Anne King

Anne King, in Houston, has been a crucial part of this whole journey as well.  She is a post TWO YEAR double lung transplant recipient so I paid attention to her ponderings and experiences.  PLUS, she is a NURSE!  What's not to love about that!
We met in a lung transplant forum where people go to get information and give info pre and post transplant. Since she lived in Sugar Land (‘burbs of Houston), we met for lunch before the transplant and just loved the heck out of her.  She is a strong woman, who raisied three daughter’s as well is a dog person. This is one-tough-but-sweet-woman and I’ve come to know and love her throughout these moths via the messaging on Facebook as well as “Face to Face” time.  When I was backed into a corner, she helped with logistics. When I was clothes-less on the ward in the hospital post transplant, she lended me her “jammies” which we coined “Anne King” Fashion Wear. She has given me solace, consolation and encouragement.  Thank you, Anne!

My CF mentors, Scott Reuter, and cyster Christy Joseph Evans, whom really convinced me that I was strong enough and to just do it!!   I finally decided it to DO IT more than I was afraid of it.  Although mine didn't go as Scott's or Christy's (everyone's transplant story is different) I truly treasure the mentoring and friendship of their journey.

IAMPETH and LEGACIES II family I love you!  Thank you for your blessings, prayers, cards, books and donations! It was quite a shock and surprise to get the cumulative efforts sent my way after the conferences and to know you were thinking of me.Thanks to Nick Vrettos and Carol Measures Scott for spreading the word, receiving and sending the well wishes in the mail.

Sharon McGhehey who is the Doxie Grandmother and friend who put together a fundraiser auction and raised concern and donations for me. Also, Gabi Glass, at Two G Design, who took it upon herself to raise money via selling “Just Breathe” Letterpress cards of which she made with her home press.  They are some fine looking stationery, too! She is still making them to order, by the way.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/188505232/just-breathe-fundraiser-pink-ink?ref=listing-shop-header-1

Sandy, Abbey, Elena who had cards of encouragement in my mailbox weekly, or inbox, texting, messenger daily. Thank you to all of the prayer warriors out there who sent me well wishes NON STOP every day (you know who you are) as well as the mailbags that I received including works of art from people all over the world.  I treasure them every single one of them.

I know that many churches' congregation and Sunday School Classes were involved in making this go full circle.  First Baptist in Hendersonville, TN has been so great in sending me Prayer Grams and praying for me. Thank You, Sheryl Bracey!

I can’t even put into words the feelings I am having about my “soul mate for life” whom I’ve known and loved my whole life from birth!  We grew up together as cousins in two different households much of the time, but most of my memories have her intertwined as me living with her family and my grandmother. Though we are cousins, we really grew up as really, tight sisters who have been side by side through all of life’s challenges. We  know all the secrets which sisters share and some, we will go to our grave with. She is six months my elder and will “always be smarter”, and kinder and snarkier, more loving, kinder and more gentle than me.  There is not a person on this Earth that I would entrust with my soul and sanity but her.  She is the most humble and selfless person I know.  Her heart is so full of LOVE, and not just for me.   She has a multitude of BFF’s all over the world and they love her as well.  My cousin, my caregiver and so much more than that through this is all is Caroline Wright.  She used to be “Carrie” to me when we were little and I was “Patty”. She now calls me “PatPat” and I call her “Caker”.  She’s my “CareCaker”.  We have so much fun together, laughing until our tummies hurt like when we were children. She is serious and assertive when she needs to be and a mom or a companion when I need her to play that role, too.  I have been so grateful to her and COULD not have been so successful with my journey so far if she was not by my side through thick or thin.  I have been blessed by having the pleasure of her wanting to be with me and spending this borrowed time we have been so graciously given.  We always are in constant contact, but there have been many years since our adult lives in which we have not been able to come together to this extent where we could spend “every, waking moment together”.  I can’t say THANK YOU because there is so much more to it and I want to say so I will just say..  what we always say to each other since childhood. ALCAAF!

First and foremost, I am only really HALF of this whole journey. My husband, Kevin Willette, is the purpose and reason I am here today!  He is my Rock, my companion for life, my crazy one, my Caption Sugar and my reason for living!  We have been through so many things together and with the Faith in Our Lord who strengthens us and gives us renewed love and dedication every single day to trudge on through this “Journey of life”.He was ready to give up everything and come live in Houston with me for how ever long it took, even moving to another city for good, but the Lord found a way to still make him a great, viable Team Captain in our TrishKev team by staying home for the pre transplant term and allow him to work, collect insurance and have some continuity and stability for our “dogters” while Caroline and I were struggling in the Houston heat beforehand. I know it was really hard on him, and me too, but he so wanted to have a place in the forefront of this journey and he did that for sure while he rushed down immediatiely after getting the call that I got my lungs. He was there for me until I got our of the hospital, for 19 days and then some post transplant.  He grounded me, encouraged and loved me, gave me hope and focus on the future when I could not look through a second more of pain. He prayed WITH me and for me multiple times a day just allow us to get to the “next” step.  Since he is a runner, he really knows discipline and longevity, when it was time to regroup and refocus on the next part of the marathon and not just getting to the end. I COULD not and would not have wanted to this with or for anyone else.  Although he was a bit paunchy at times due to stress and total lack of sleep, as we all were, he always kept his cool with me and THAT has always been why I love him to the moon and back and then some. Baby, you know now I bark orders WAY louder, but hopefully, you won’t mind.  I love you. I love you. That’s all. Forever.