[gshase]

Our experience in Durham North Carolina and at the Duke medical center has been a wonderful family experience. We appreciate our support from Durham and from around the world. Elissa had a staggering battle and had to go through it alone for her 33 day hospital stay. She showed me her notes from the ICU when she was on a vent and could not speak. She wrote she could not catch her breath and did not think her new lungs would support her. She also wrote how hard it was being forced to walk laps around the ICU after being cut in half as she was worried she would pass out and never make it back to her room.
Now 2.5 months post transplant and her team of Doctors is pleased with her progress the development of her lungs (The youngest and smallest lungs ever transplanted into an adult) Her Doctors say this is better than a text book case.
She has a bronchoscopy on August 5th and if every thing goes well then she will be released to go home to Texas. We moved to Durham on December 12 and we are all ready to drive home.

Thanks for your support Elissa, Gary and Sharon