I just wanted to thank everyone for their phone calls, text messages, their prayers and their prayers for the donor’s family. Your support has been incredible. When Nicole was diagnosed thirty plus years ago it was really tough. At that time not very much was known about Cystic Fibrosis and her diagnosis was pretty grim. People slept in mist tents, the vest machine was not yet invented, not much was known about the gene. A few experiments were being done such as removing the diseased lobe and doctors were experimenting with transplanting a couple of lobes. A double lung transplant was not being done back then. We could only hope that a cure would be found in Nicole’s lifetime. There still is no cure but medicine has come such a long way and hopefully a cure is in the very near future..
Throughout the years, I have spent many hours sitting in the hospital, rushing to the emergency room and waiting for one procedure or another to be done. When Nicole decided to go on the waiting list for a transplant I waited again and this time it was a three year wait. When “the call” finally came and Nicole phoned to say she was going to the hospital I had to ask her why. Her Dad said I looked stunned. When we got to the hospital things moved along pretty rapidly. When they took Nicole into surgery I just knew that everything would be okay.
I can not even begin to describe my feelings when Nicole was taken off of the ventilator and I could see her O2 stats at 98 in room air. It was a miracle and for the next couple of weeks we all kept watching the monitor. Everyday there was progress — eating a peanut butter sandwich — the first time she sat on a chair — her first walk down the hall — her first time in the rehab room (where she insisted on walking up and down the stairs 30 times) — getting the chest tubes out — and finally getting to drive her home.
Our family spent hours at the hospital. Roland sat in the family room putting together jigsaw puzzles, John went to work but came down nearly every night and he sat with his sister so I could have a break . Now we are spending some time sitting with her at the new house and driving her to her various medical appointments. The view is definitely better than the one we had in the hospital.
Nicole has been progressing daily. It is so wonderful to see her walking up stairs without gasping for breath and to take pleasure in sweeping a deck. She can even take Rosie for short walks around the neighborhood.
I know that while our family is grateful Nicole is doing so well another family is mourning the loss of a loved one. We will always be grateful that Nicole has been given such a wonderful gift. Please keep the donor’s family in your prayers and continue to prayer for Nicole as she recovers.
Mom (Elaine)
Nikki's New Lungs 
We barely know Nikki, but “Mom’, your post was powerful – as is your girl. My friend Melanie and I met Nikki in a Dr office waiting room, struck up an odd conversation about Judge Judy and had an instant bond. We follow Nikki and pray everyday but know that her unique and remarkable sprint and strength will get her, and the rest of you, through everything.
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I heard about the conversation in the waiting room. Thank you for all the prayers.
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What a great Mom you must be Elaine. When I cam to visit Nikki just prior to the life saving surgery, You reminded me to pray for the donor family. I’ve done so everyday since., Thank you for bringing Nicole/Nikki/The Rocket into the world. It’s a Blessing that has made many people very happy. God Bless you, your family and of course the grieving donor family. Hopefully they can realize that their loss brought new life to another wonderful human being. GM, and family..
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Thank you for all of the prayers that you have been sending our way. We have appreciated all the support.
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Mom of Nikki, What a great message you left on the blog! My daughter in law also had transplant a week after Nikki. I think you met Danita and her Mother. I have been reading Nikki’s blog for a long time I connected on the GF sight. Her and Danita are going through some of the same things, at different times. What a blessing the Donate Life is! What a joy to see Danita breath without a struggle, no long deep coughs, and no O2 tubes with her. I continue to uphold Nikki in prayer and hope her next leg of the journey is physically a lot easier! Blessings to your whole family What a plan God has for us! Thanks again for your great sharing time!
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I saw Danita and your son today. Both girls were havings their bronchs. It was nice to catch up with them.
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Thank you for your message, from one Mom to another did we ever expect to see our Daughter’s filled with energy, taking a deep breath and enjoying life to the fullest. A Mother’s dream to see their son or daughter not struggling for their next breath. The Gift of Life is like no other, we have so much to be thankful for. I am so happy to have met Nikki through the years, she has been a blessing. I wish you and your family a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
Faith, Hope & Love
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It is so wonderful to see Nicole so full of energy and not dragging her oxygen around. She actually had eleven of us over for Thanksgiving and she just flew around the kitchen. What a wonderful gift she and our family have been given.
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What a wonderful message from a Mom’s perspective! You must be a great lady to have such an incredible daughter–so positive, so determined! I think Nikki & Travis have one of the most special relationships I have ever seen in a married couple. It is a joy just to know them!
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I agree, the two of them do have a special relationship.
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