ELISSA Says Thanks......
 

9 DAYS POST DOUBLE LUNG TRANSPLANT✨
MAY 17, 2020
There is so many times that I never thought this would ever be possible. I got used to having a mundane lifestyle and living with oxygen for 5 years.
The last time I had chest tubes and on the ventilator I was dying and they were saving my life, this time they’re there to help me in order to get better and heal my lungs. it’s crazy how I’ve been on both sides of the fence. Even now I still have CF it’s good to know that I had a a good 26 years with my lungs and they did me well and I thank them for the years they gave me but I’m even more grateful for the 8 year old donor I have now and their selfless family decision. I pray and I keep thinking about him and their parents and how they are coping with their lost loved one. it was a child at the age of eight years old and I can’t imagine what it’s like for the mother that lost her child but I hope that she finds happiness and peace that she saved my life and I could never honestly repay my wonderful donor that ever again.
•
•
•
•
So today instead for praying and thinking of me, let’s stop and give thanks to them and the families.♥️🙏🏻

From MOM....Everytime I see an 8 year old boy, I will always be reminded what my daughter Elissa Hase received. She made history at DUKE for having the youngest lungs placed into an adult. Both her and her donor will never be forgotten. They will live on in medical journals forever.... http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1589752938.jpg

Please allow me to be the first to start a HUGE cyberspace Pelican "Group Hug" for Elissa. Many thanks for this post!

What a wonderful post....

In these situations do the doner's parents ever get to know who recieved the gift of life.

They should meet Elissa some day....I guarantee it would help ease their pain and loss.

Thank you Gary....and tell Elissa thank you from all of us too :)!

Oh dear, this is so poignant.

Request done, now and for a long time.

Thanks for the update, Gary.

Wow! That is fabulous!

The reason Elissa found out about the donor was the nurses were talking about Duke having the youngest donated lungs ever transplanted into an adult. These are smaller than what we wanted but genetically it was a perfect match. Kinda like your mom getting you new shoes a year early when you were growing up. The Doctors say they will grow to fit Elissa in a few months.
These were very pristine young lungs as the Doctors said....The best lungs he has ever seen.

Indeed a wonderful gift! She looks really good!

I can't help but wonder what might have happened to the 8 year old. I hope his family finds solace in the gift they gave. It was a sacrifice and a gift at the same time.
In a way your story has been a gift. In this thread we watched you face unimaginable challenges and you met them with admirable grace and charity at every turn. Thank you for your courage and inspiration.

Great touching story , I hope all future updates are positive .

Awesome!

WOW! I have no words. Elissa, cherish this wonderful gift.

She looks so healthy in the photo.

What a great thing the family did, turning their tragedy into joy for another family.

ALRIGHT!!

This is awesome.

PPOT pic of the year!

Stay strong. You are doing awesome.

My 9 year old son is out riding (actually pushing it back) his quad right now.

Great news! Congratulations! Keep fighting!

(GO DUKE!)

I can never find the right words for how I feel about Elissa and her family.

What an extraordinary young lady!
It takes real courage to face such a situation but a whole lot more to share it with the rest of the world.

I feel incredibly blessed to be able to witness such courage.

All the best from the other side of the world. :)

What a great pic. Elissa you have better color in your cheeks than I do!!

What you have endured may be second to what your donor family has suffered but you both have the kind of courage that gives hope to all of us. The hope that no matter what challenge life throws at us there is a way through, a way that gives everyone's life meaning. By living well you continue to give meaning to your donor's life. He lives in you and through you, and through him you live.

Given how you've faced this challenge I am 100% certain that you will honor his gift in the grandest way possible.

A warm, happy, delightful piece of news this am!

Umm, a bit overwhelming. Her words move me.
There are qualities possessed by great people: two being gratitude and grace.
IMHO, Elissa has these; in spades.

Very happy for you Elissa!
Great going!

Elissa - you look terriffic.

And, yes, prayers for the donor's parents are in order - some very tough times ahead for them.

Bill K

Damn better. They will have another 50-70 years to adapt if they haven't already.

Take 'er easy in the meantime.
"A mountain is moved with one shovel"-some asian proverb.

"9 DAYS POST DOUBLE LUNG TRANSPLANT✨
MAY 17, 2020"

Elissa,
I've been watching your progress for years now and cheering for you from behind the scenes.

Yesterday (May 17th) happened to be my "big" 50th birthday. To be honest, I was a little pissy for a lot of stupid reasons. Petty things. Seeing your update with my "big day" in the first lines, put it all into perspective, and made my day! Perfectamundo! - So thanks!

Remember, when you get to 50, just say "get off my lawn" a lot. That's what we old people do! :D

Edit- and be careful. 50 is going to hit you before you know it! Muwhahahahahaha!!!!! :)

Best story of 2020 so far! Sincere gratitude to the donor’s family... that’s got to be gut-wrenching but that child is living on. Amazing to hear and glad everything is working out ok!

Must be damn dusty in here again....
Wonderful post!

Threads like this are a testament to the human nature of compassion and love. I have hung around this place for a long (LONG) time because I feel a connection to many of the cyber folks here I like to call friends/family. Thank you for the post Elissa, you look marvelous!

David

Such a wonderful picture, young Lady. You look strong and happy. But the biggest thing I see is peace.

The donor and his family are in my prayers. Bless them.

I am also a donor and my family is aware. It’s in my Living Will as well.

Keep the updates coming and I’d love to hear more about your walks. How often, how far, and the things you see.

Thanks for the update!

Great news!

Condolences to the donor family.

To the medical professionals who made this happen, Very nice work!


Elissa, Hope things continue to improve and work for you.

I wish you all the world has to offer. What a fighter!

I just saw Elissa walking on Facebook!

Way to go girl! :)

Yay :)!

Yes, and don't we need a lot of that these days!

Please Elissa, keep us posted and keep getting stronger!

WTG Elissa !! It is wonderful to see how quickly you are progressing !! You are amazing ! The poise, grace, courage, determination, and dignity that you have shown are truly incredible !! There were a lot of ups and downs along the path, but you weathered the storm. And just look at you now !!

Gotta agree with Danimal here...I read Elissa’s words and see exceptional grace on display. I’d be exaggerating if I claimed to have 0.1% of her grace at age 26. Not even close to her level today (@47).

Impressive young woman there, well deserving of the gift of life from the young donor.

Gary, with your permission I'd like to send Elissa a note/card . So if that's ok would you PM her addy to me please?

I was so impressed to see Elissa walk on the video that she posted on Facebook. She is truly amazing.

Dave