Elizabeth Lynn Nichols has been many things during her 60 years of life: a devoted daughter and sister to her family, employee of the federal government for 33 years, a loving wife to Neil for the past 26 years, passionate mom to her only child, Kate for 22 years, and for the last year and a half of her retirement she has been a fighter. Because of her rapidly declining health, doctors placed her on the lung transplant waiting list on December 9th, 2015. Miraculously, just one day later, on Thursday, December 10th, Lynn received her lung transplant!
It has been a long road to get to this point. Lynn had spent each day literally fighting for each breath as countless medical professionals and specialists worked to treat an unusual and challenging set of symptoms related to her diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. This rare disease results in a specific type of inflammation that can affect any part of the body. Typically, the illness heals itself on its own or is treatable with medications but Lynn’s illness was unresponsive. After over 18 months of medical treatments, supplemental oxygen dependency, and extremely limited mobility, her condition worsened suddenly and severely the day after Thanksgiving 2015.
Though there is much for which to be grateful, the fight is not over yet. Lynn has a long road ahead to complete recovery and the medical bills continue to mount. While Lynn is blessed to have health insurance that covers some of the procedures and treatments, there are many costs that need to be paid out-of-pocket such as co-pays, deductibles, medications that can range from $500-$1000 monthly for life, and required relocation from her home in Screven, GA to be near Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for a minimum of 3-6 months following the transplant. This is a challenge she cannot face alone.
Whether you grew up in Thomasville with Lynn, you rooted for the Dawgs with her at University of Georgia, or knew her through work or family, we hope you will join with us to rally around her and her family as we gather the needed strength and resources for all that is ahead of us.
To help with the financial burden of Lynn’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in her honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Southeast Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please, consider a contribution.
For credit card contributions, please click the yellow Donate Now button.
We are so grateful for prayers, positive thoughts, your helping hands when they are free, and for financial support as you are able. We will be updating Lynn’s campaign page with information about her journey and with ways to stay involved with support efforts as we go. Knowing that she has you in her corner is a continuous encouragement to us all!
With sincere gratitude,
Kate Nichols (Lynn’s daughter)
912-294-6101
