Lori is 44 years old.
Lori lives on 7800 several weeks (maybe even months) per year for the past few years, receiving treatments to maintain her quality and quantity of life. She was the last patient in Tricia's current room before Tricia arrived from ICU several weeks ago.
Last week, Lori was rushed from her home in southeast VA to Duke with a fever of 105. She nearly died.
Lori goes home this Thursday with her husband. Hopefully, we won't see her here again for a long time.
Lori amazes me.
Although she's been following our blog since the beginning, and we've emailed back and forth a few times, I had not met Lori until yesterday. I'm sorry I did not meet her sooner. Her story gives me hope and strength. Given up for adoption by her birth parents, adopted into a big, loving home, living her life to the fullest, married to a loving CFHusband, knowing where she's going when she dies.
Although it sounds incredibly similar to Tricia's story, there is one huge difference.
Lori is not a candidate for the double lung transplant that could save her life.
But, instead of complaining and moping and being angry with the world, Lori has chosen to not only deal, but to live her life as fully as she possibly can for as long as she possibly can.
Lori's story is incredible. On the days that are the hardest for me here at Duke, I will think of Lori. She is facing almost certain death within the next few years, and yet, she sat with my mom and our friend, Brenda and I last night, eating pizza and smiling (and with a few tears), telling us her amazing story of hope and love and peace.
I wish you could meet Lori. Everyone has a story to share, with the potential to make a difference for good in the world.
Lori is no exception.
Thanks.
Nate
Just when you start thinking you're in the toughest of situations God shows us something to humble us more and draw us into more thankful spirits.
ReplyDeleteReally makes those of us that have pretty "normal" lives look like jerks when we complain about little things that happen in our day. Thank you for being an inspiration to many, me included. We have 5 children and homeschool. I have many challenges in my day, but health is one I truly take for granted. Thanks again for sharing your story and Lori's. I will pray for her too!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Michelle in MO
wow, I would love to meet Lori. I am amazed each time I meet another person with CF their story is so different from mine and from each other.
ReplyDeletesounds like a wonderful lady! I am so glad you got to meet her in person. I know your life is richer because of it and believe her life is too! God's richest blessings on both of you.
ReplyDeleteWhy isnt Lori a candidate for transplant? Just curious. I love meeting other CF people and hearing their stories. Gives me hope to.
ReplyDeleteLaters
Kristen
Thanks for sharing that with us. Lori sounds like a great person to learn from! She's been added to my prayer list (which is growing exponentially these days!).
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing us to Lori. We'll add her to the list of people for whom we're praying.
ReplyDelete::: waving at Lori :::
Keeping Lori in my prayers. Does she have a blog?
ReplyDeleteJenne
I also am interested in why Lori isn't a candidate for lung transplant. As a CFer, I worry about the things that might exclude me from that list. Please ask her if you could share the reason with us - but I understand if she wishes to keep it private.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
~Carla
Nathan, I am amazed and thrilled you are introducing us to Lori! I know Lori! And just last night I realized I had not heard any news from her recently so I checked her site and found out that she was also at Duke now and was following your story too!.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about Lori. She is truly an inspiration! She and I met several years ago after I had my transplant, because we share some of the same wonderful doctors in Virginia. She is full of faith and fortitude and she is definately living her life to the fullest. She is herself a walking talking sermon and I am so happy that I know her.
So Lori if you are reading this too, I am so happy to see the picture of you and hear that you are going home soon. I will be sending an email to you soon to "catch up". You are always in my prayers.
Thanks Nate for posting and continuing to share so many great people with every one of us.
Irene
Lori has a most beautiful and serene face. I will pray for her continued health. Why wont the docs give her a lung transplant? I hope she can eventually get one! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful spirit with us.
ReplyDeleteHe brings more into our lives than we know what to do with...Lori is a huge inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that story with us.
ReplyDeleteHer lungs may not be in good shape, but I can see through her eyes how beautiful her heart is.
Lori is amazing!! I met her at the CFL some time ago - she made an impact on all of us. Her positive attitude was remarkable and she had such a giving and open heart. It's indescribable the relationships and bonds that you make and the stength and inspiration you witness during the transplant process. They are unexpected blessings that God gives us - some how making the hardships worth every moment. Please tell Lori I said hello.
ReplyDeleteLori is one of my closest and dearest friends. It was Lori who sent me to your blog after sending an emergency email plea asking that we immediately begin praying for Tricia, her unborn child, and her husband. Like Lori, you are all an inspiration to me. In the years I have known Lori, there have been ups and downs yet her faith and belief in the Lord has never once wavered, not even a little. She is God's blessing and witness to many of us. dp
ReplyDeleteAs a CFAunt of an adorable 2 year old, your story, Lori's story, and all the others that uplift are so helpful! Thank you for taking time everyday to share your family's story with the world; the world needs to hear more positive and uplifting stories like yours. Thank you for reminding us that life is about what we do with what we have, not about what we do not.
ReplyDelete"I wish you could meet Lori. Everyone has a story to share, with the potential to make a difference for good in the world."
ReplyDeleteThis is so true Nate. Thanks for sharing part of Lori's story with us, and for encouraging all of us to share our own stories with the world in hopes making a positive difference :-)
Rock on Lori! When I saw your picture, I had to take a breath. You look so much like my friend Marcia. While she isn't playing with CF, she does have frequent visits from her friend MS.
ReplyDeleteHope isn't just a word, it is a way of life.
I've just found your story this week and I will be following closely. My brother has CF and has had a double lung transplant a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wife and beautiful daughter!!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful woman and her story of hope with us, Nathan. :)
ReplyDeleteYou may have answered this in one way or another somewhere along the way, but what makes someone not eligible for a transplant?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had the opportunity to meet Lori and her story touches my heart!!
She sounds like a wonderful woman and I'm so glad you two met. She is added to my prayers. :)
ReplyDeleteGod bless Lori....I will be keeping her in my prayers as well! So ,I was curious how come Lori is able to eat pizza and talk with her vent, but Tricia can't eat and talk with hers???
ReplyDeleteLori is beautiful. Your blog has truly made me more grateful for my health and inspired me to get in better shape and take care of myself.
ReplyDeleteOh, Lori sounds like such a wonderful person. I'd love to know her. I wonder if she comes to our cf.com site? I'm a CFer in my late 40's and know most of them in my age group, so I don't think she does.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing her story, Nate. I'm so glad you care about other people beyond your own family. Some people would be just wrapped up in their own situation but you are reaching out to others and sharing them with us. I will add Lori to my prayer list.
Aspiemom
Since we cannot all meet Lori, thank you for introducing her to us! Her story really puts things into perspective! We are praying for all of you in PA!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have been blessed by meeting this wonderful woman. Thank you for sharing God's blessing in her with the rest of us. Please let Lori know we will be praying for her and her family AND we thank Lori for her prayers for you guys.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing woman. Praying for her tonight...
ReplyDeleteThank you Lori for letting others have a glimpse into your heart.
ReplyDeleteLord bless you Lori!
ReplyDeletedoes lori have a blog by any chance?
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing & will keep her in my thoughts as well!
I just find it so awesome of our God to give us different strengths when other parts of our bodies are so weak. What a gift!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Lori with us.
ReplyDeleteI will most definitely keep her in
my prayers. What a brave woman.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Lori in cyberland, she is an awesome person with great strength. She has a great blog as well. I am always amazed at just how small this world really is, how commonalities we share can bring us together in unexpected ways.
ReplyDeleteAll of you have been an inspiration to me, whenever I start to slide into pity mode, I think of all of those who are fighting so hard.
Thank you for sharing this Nate, Hugs Jenn
Thank you for sharing this Nate,Hugs Jenn from NY
Hey Nate and Trish,
ReplyDeleteI know Lori, she was at Duke 3 years ago when I had my lung transplant surgery. Tell her I said Hi and that I am praying for her. I have been following your blog for about 2 months and needless to say I am addicted. I can't wait every morning to see new pictures and videos. Your girls are precious.
Hopefully soon I will be able to read that Tricia just had her transplant and is doing great.
I moved to Durham on March 15th, 2005 and was transplanted on April 6th, 2005. I have been so blessed since my transplant. In July 2006 I walked a 10K road race and am training for another one this July.
My Sunday School class is praying for you here in Asheville, North Carolina and checking out your blog.
Your are in my thought and prayers.
God Bless
Darlene Briggs (Briggsrus@hotmail.com)
beautiful
ReplyDelete