Now that you know all about me... what's your story?

9/14/2020

Well, now that you know all about me, I'd like to know something about you! Please use the comment section below to introduce yourself! Share as much or as little as you'd like. I created this space not just to share my own story but to let others know they aren't alone. If it is in your heart to reach out, please tell me something! Just a few ideas to get you started....

How did you find my website?
Do you have personal struggles with health issues similar to mine? Or does someone you care about?
I'd love to hear from people that have gone through some of the same things I have gone through (Systemic Sclerosis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Hepatopulmonary Syndrome, pre or post organ transplant, etc.)
Tell me if there is anything you would like to know more about!
I would also love to hear any struggles, trials or challenges you have had and if it falls within your own belief system, I would love to pray for you or with you!
Offering words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated! They really pick me up on my difficult days and give me strength to get over obstacles!

Just use the comment section below to get started! I can't wait to meet you!

4 Comments

Ginnie Kitzmiller

9/19/2020 09:40:40 pm

This is so powerful and beautifully written and truly had me on the edge of my seat reading the details from your perspective with the captivating way you express every experience.

Thank you for sharing this and pouring your heart out. As your cousin and best friend, and witnessing some of this journey first hand; I continue to be amazed by your grace and strength.

God works miracles - and you are a life story full of some absolutely incredible ones ! May God and your support system bring you peace, joy, and healthy matching organs!

Melissa Smith link

9/20/2020 04:40:47 pm

Oh, my beautiful Gin. I should've known you'd be the first to post on my website! Thanks you so much for sharing in my journey with me, being one of my hugest cheerleaders and holding my hand as I walk through getting reacquainted with my faith. I know that there is something special between you and I already but that love and friendship is strengthened by what we went through that night at UW when you brought me back to peace and shared the experience of being reborn again with me. Every time my faith waivers even a tiny bit, I can bring that moment back to the front of my mind so quickly and so vividly, leaving me left with little doubt that with God's Grace we will continue to witness miracles. I love you!

larry slowey

10/24/2020 11:23:46 am

I to know your journey, I had a double transplant 15 years ago. In my case I have had a heart and kidney transplant but mine was done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. My journey started out simarily due to shortness of breath, my doc found that I did have something wrong. He sent me to Virginia Mason hospital and they found I had congestive heart failure.I was 52 at the time, was my life over, started the bucket list, seeing thing I put off, writing letters to each of my three kids. Meds worked good for a few years and then they started to fail me. I worked for Wal Mart in Port Angeles at the time My doc in Seattle decided to look into the possibility of a transplant at the UofW. My insurance thru Wal Mart came back they'd only pay for a transplant at the Mayo..I went to the Mayo in June of 2005 with the idea of possible transplant July 4th came and I supposed to be home but things didn't work that way. My wife and I rented a car and drove to northern Wisconsin to visit relatives and do the fourth there. Back to the the Mayo after a nice visit , like you stated path out of harms way to throw up Somewhere around July 9 I was admitted not to get out of the hospital until March of 06. Transplant were done on the 30th of September of 2005 after being put into an induced coma to let my body rest as much as could be. That coma was for the time of admitting till transplant. I woke up a few time and remember bits and pieces, a nurse by the name of Easter giving me Jolly Ranchers is one. After transplant I was so weak I had to basically learn as a new born. Fifteen years later I'm doing GOOD, the financial strain is incredible, doctor appointment at the U of W ferries, gas. food I wish I could offer more than moral support but at this time is all I got I hope that my testimony give you hope. If it wasn't for GOD"S love and the Doctors knowledge I wouldn' have gotten to know 7 of my 8 grand children One other thing I'll give advise to you, go to fincial aid at the U they are a God send. If you'd like my phone# is 360-460-0738 give me a call if you'd like

joe hutchins

12/12/2020 01:12:03 pm

dear mellissa, hope this note finds you well and getting stronger every day. i read your story in the peninsula daily news and your blog several times . realized you have the same disease that i have had for fifty six years,systemic sclerosis. you are so strong and brave and well informed about the disease, it took me years to learn about the disease,( first diagnosed in 1964 when i was in the US Navy) ,little was known about the disease then,there was no internet,no support groups,no information. read in a medical book at the naval hospital that it was a tropical disease. since then over the years they now say it is auto-immune. mellissa,my story is long and i'll try to keep it brief and say more later. i have crest,although i haven't been diagnosed with diffuse,have had kidney and heart issues,thank goodness for stents. my symptoms began with sever raynuads and progressed to my esophagus,scaring and immobility,( got so i couldn't swallow solid foods).hospitalized in 1974 with a prognosis of the surgical removal of my esophagus and replaced with part of my intestine,and a feeding tube,that scared me and friends i worked with suggested i try cannabis because it gives you the mungies . well i started using it and sure enough it helped me so i could swallow with less differcultty,in 1978 i met a good gastrointeroligist at the va hospital and he began dialating my esophagus which helped a lot. moved from new england to the olympic peninsula for the more milder climate,that helped with the raynuads and cannabis is legal here. i am a grateful survivor and know you are too,hope you are recovering well and be nice to hear from you,joe

Now that you know all about me... what's your story?

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