Joanne Schum - Taking Flight: Inspirational Stories of Lung Transplantation

Taking Flight

Inspirational Stories
of
Lung Transplantation

Compiled by Joanne Schum

2002 by Joanne M. Schum. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication

SCHUM, JOANNE M. (JOANNE MARIE), 1963

TAKING FLIGHT : INSPIRATIONAL STORIES OF LUNG TRANSPLANTATION / COMPILED BY JOANNE M. SCHUM.

ISBN: 9781412227070 (ebook)

ISBN 1-55369-684-0

1. LUNGSTRANSPLANTATIONPATIENTSBIOGRAPHY. I. TITLE.

This book was published on-demand in cooperation with Trafford Publishing.
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Acknowledgements

Since my bi-lateral lung transplant on September 12, 1997 life has been filled with excitement, adventure, joy and breathing clear. My new lungs gave me a new desire to help others who were facing a lung transplant, or those who had experienced the fulfilling life you are given after transplant. I chose many avenues to fulfill that desire, and this book is just one of them. I searched the world for successful lung transplant stories, and they were found, captured and here for everyone to read the joyful happiness that this medical miracle allows so many of us to have.

So my first Thank-You is for all the participants who took time, effort and much soul searching to share their transplant story for this book.

Thank-You to Susy Dirr for the beauty of the cover she created for this book. Not only did Susy come up with the design but surprised me with titling the book. You did a wonderful job Susy and I could not have dreamed for anything better. Thank you so much! You have given all the story tellers a warm and enlightening beginning to their stories. For those who wonder about the butterfly theme that our cover has: butterflies have special meaning to those who have had a lung transplant. When our old lung, or lungs are removed and the new lungs are hooked up and take their first breath, they open like the first time a butterfly opens its wings. A miracle! The butterfly theme continues on the back cover which my niece Lisa Allocco designed. We are set free when we have these new lungs to breath! Thanks to my nephew Eric Allocco for his assistance with computer work on the covers.

Next my family is due for a big bow of thanks. I am the youngest of seven siblings of which one sister also has Cystic Fibrosis. Having a chronic lung illness is difficult for patient and family, but I do realize the Schum family is who they are because the circumstances we as a family faced. The entire Schum clan was involved with my care at some point along the way. Be it cupping, grabbing medical supplies, Kleenex, picking up drugs from drugstores, sitting and reading to me while I nebulized medicine, visiting me in the hospital and the best part-being lovedthey all did it with the utmost excellence. My family from oldest to youngest: Dolores Lohr and husband Stony, their three sons: Bill & Melissa Lohr, Keith Lohr, Stony Jr. & Janelle Lohr. Roseann Schum Malloy and son Brent Malloy. Noella Schum and daughter Safia Gravel. Mary Lou Allocco (my sister who has Cystic Fibrosis and also post lung transplant) her husband Ed and four children: Megan, Eric, Laura, and Lisa and their dog Tucker. My one and only brother Karl Schum and wife Debbie, two children Kari and Jessica and dog Willy. My sister Trudy Pellman and husband Jim. This large family was supportive in any way for both Mary Lou and me.

To my many relatives: The Semler, Hauslauer, Quanz, and Schum Families. Also to Sr. Mary Rose Schum and also Sr. Howard. All the prayers from my family were the reason I received this wonderful gift of lungs and why I continue to do so well.

My family has acquired many friends over the years and they have been part of my lung transplant process. To Kathy & Earl Gursslin and their sons and wives; Steve & Dawn, Scott & Renee. Thank you for being at UNC with my family after my surgery. To Kathy Gursslins parents and my godfather A1 and Virginia Balsam. Jules and Tina Norris, Don and Cathy Dieure who are good friends and have been a wonderful source of many prayers. Also to everyone at St. James Church who have been supportive of Mary Lou and my family through this process.

To my many, many friends; Eileen VanValkenburg, Ann Diamond, and to Kyra Mancine who kept my days filled with cards and surprises. Also the many students and faculty at Our Lady of Mercy High School for their support during my lung transplant. To Wegmans Eastway Pharmacy Staff for their continued support.

Many thanks to Cheryl DiFrancesco for her continued kindness and the ability to know what I need in the way of hair styles and keeping me looking beautiful. My fund raiser had an Irish theme and my curls were perfect for an Irish jig, but I did not have the lungs for it back then. To the Dady Brothers for provided the great Irish music at my benefit and making the party a hit. To the Hot Flash Dancers who entertained the guests at the benefit with their great dancing.

Special thanks to my long time friend Renee Strassell. With Renees advice and artistic talent, she offered guidance on the formatting of this book. I would be lost without you Renee!

To the many friends who I have met due to my lung transplant and they themselves either had a lung transplant, or not yet to that point of needing one but still we have the ability to share so much. Melissa Reta, Mandy Murawski, Dave Messmer, Pam Rettig, Tracy Bussani, Theresa Kloet, Erin Masling, Amanda Caruso, Tamara Crafts, Anne Keator and Sandy White and many, many others. I also have become close to many who are still waiting for the miracle of lung transplant; Rayni Worley a young lady of five-years-old, along with her parents Michelle, and Jason have become like family to me.

Support is vital for any organ recipient. The Transplant Awareness Organization (TAO) in Rochester has become a very important part of my life. Not only is this support for its members, but also promoting organ donation is a large part of our mission. We also organize a group to attend the Transplant Games held every two years. June 2002 will be my second time to participate in the Transplant Games which is not only a thrill to be in, but to attend is an emotional uplifting event. To all my fellow team members and managers, this is truly the highlight of an organ recipients life.

Being a board member with a grassroots organization is both exciting, fulfilling and an honor. Lungs For Life which is based in Rochester, New York and is working to help my favorite groups of individuals: Cystic Fibrosis and Lung Transplant. Thanks to everyone at nd Wind Lung Transplant Association Inc., as they provide support for all those who are pre or post lung transplant and the many opportunities to meet others around the world who share this miracle.