It is Valentine’s Day, and Randy and I spent it at UT Southwestern, as the lung transplant team decided yesterday they wanted to do a bronchoscopy (a look at the lungs, outpatient surgery). For those who don’t know, my spouse, Randy, had a double lung transplant in September. He was there for months. Ah, the comfortable seats of hospital waiting rooms! I had forgotten the very special pain they give. As I sat, waiting to hear from the doctor, I read a story in the Dallas Morning News that talked about a young family, a couple with four young children, ages 1-7. The young man, 36 years old, has been diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimers. The story tore at my heart…what a terrible, terrible thing to happen to such a young man, and to his wife and young children. She is taking care of four children, and her husband, who cannot dress, hold a child, or do much of anything, really. It reminded me to count my blessings.
There are too many to count. Certainly among them is Randy’s life, two wonderful children (young adults), a family who loves me, extended family who mean the world to me, good friends who care, and a life that has been full of love. There have been challenges, but I have always known I was loved. My life is, and has been, full of blessings, and I am thankful for every single one of them.
And here is one more: Randy’s bronchoscopy came back perfect, no problems! A celebration of 5 months post transplant. Each milestone is a reason to be happy. Speaking of which, I hope your Valentine’s Day was wonderful!
