Well, it's official...

I just recieved a phone call from Kelly Norman, my lung transplant coordinator at Mayo Clinic, and its OFFICIAL:

I am actively listed for a double lung transplant.

I am at a loss for words right now. I cannot believe how much my world has turned upside down in 24 hours. I went from not knowing exactly what my plan was, to on the active list for lungs in the blink of an eye. So many emotions are running through me right now its hard to explain. Im so happy, scared to death, sorta sad, but filled with hope. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I have a real shot at a normal life again. That I can travel, play sports again, and just enjoy doing the things I love without them completely draining me. I don't know what Im gonna do with myself when I have all this free time to myself that's usually filled with breathing treatments and stopping to cough or catch my breath.

I thought thatd it'd just be nothing special when I got the word. I have known I was going to be the whole time. But now everything seems so real. And to make things even more real, Kelly informed me that I am number 4 on the list for my blood type. FOUR people. And to make it even more real - the three in front of me are all under 5 foot 6 inches tall. Which means I am in a different height group than they are which means I am even closer to the top of the list.

Confused yet?

Here's the deal. When you get listed for transplant many things go into consideration when determining your place on the list. Mainly blood type, diease severity, height, weight and a few other criteria. Since the lungs must have the same blood type and must be generally the same size, a person of my blood type (A+) and my height (5'10) would not be able to take donor lungs from someone with type B blood and who was only 5'5, and vice versa.

So as it sits right now, I am technically number four on the list, but could possibly be called before the other three if the lungs from a donor are closer to my size than the other three. So, according to Kelly, I should "be ready" at any time. I was told at the start of this that there have been peole who have been listed and waited 6 months for lungs, but there have been people listed on a Thursday and gotten new lungs on Saturday. I heard that, but you know the old saying "in one ear out the other..." Yup, that was me.

Holy crap.

Can you see now why I am in such shock? I honestly thought that when I got listed I'd be further down the list and would have a few months to wrap my head around all this. Get myself ready for the move to Jax, get my financial situation in place, etc. I mean I def could still hafta wait for months, but the possibility that it could only be a few weeks, maybe even a few days?? Holy crap.

Well I think thats all I can say for now. Im still processing all this, but just wanted to make sure everyone is caught up. So, now, when you see a blog or Facebook post with just the words, "I (or she/Erin) got the call!!" you'll know what it means...that we are high tailing it to Jaxsonville and I may very well be breathing with new lungs within just a few hours.

Whew...what a day! God is good people...so, so good.

Much love...Erin