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I remember getting the call from my mom, Lorie, in 2008… she had been diagnosed with COPD. At the time, the doctors gave her 4 or 5 years of “normal” living before the disease forever altered her quality of life.
It’s been over 10 years since that diagnosis and Lorie has managed her COPD by staying active and refusing to let go of her remaining health. However, in the summer of 2017, wildfires near her home in Montana accelerated the deterioration of her lung function and she was given the news that she needed a double-lung transplant in 2018.
Her out-of-pocket medical expenses for the surgery, hospital stay, and medications will total around $15,000.00. We knew we needed to reach out to friends and family for support.
As you know, Lorie is an “animal person”. She has cared for several dogs, cats and horses in her life. One of the hardest consequences of her severe COPD was giving up her heeler puppy, Scout. COPD makes it extremely difficult to breathe, so caring for an energetic puppy was more than Mom could handle. When she heals from her transplant and regains her strength, the first thing she wants to do is rescue a sweet dog who needs a loving home.
Second on her “post-transplant” wish list, Lorie wants to plan a camping trip in Colorado with my husband, Matt, me, and her grandchildren, Bailey and Cooper. She tells me how she can see us hiking in the beautiful Colorado mountains together, sitting around a campfire and watching our dogs play together.
Mom deeply wants to reconnect with her church community after recovering from her transplant. The progression of her disease has caused more frequent exacerbation attacks, often triggered by weather conditions (too hot, too cold, too windy, too wet, etc.). This has kept her from seeing her church family for some time and she misses them!
My mom is amazing and I’ve watched her face and overcome obstacle after obstacle this past year to strengthen her body and mind in preparation for this surgery. I have no doubts that, given a second chance at life with new lungs, she will live every moment to the fullest!
We are asking for your help with her out-of-pocket medical expenses. Your donation to Lorie’s Help Hope Live campaign is tax-deductible and will go towards her surgery costs and assist with the expensive anti-rejection medications she’ll need post-transplant.
Help us make my Mom’s dream of a new chance at life a reality! Donate to Lorie’s Help Hope Live campaign online today. Thank you & God Bless you!
~April
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Family and friends of Lorie Roe are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.
Lorie has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
Quick update on Mom: we’re still in ICU, but she got her epidural this morning, so she’s feeling no pain! She’s been out of bed twice and is currently sitting in the recliner. They have removed 4 of 6 chest tubes and are planning to get her walking in the next hour or so.
Mom's surgery concluded about noon today, in just 5 hours! The doctor's say she is doing great! Her oxygen level is good and everyone said the surgery went exceptionally well. They had discussed pulling her breathing tube today, but it got too late for her epidural to be applied, so they decided to wait until morning to proceed. She will continue to be heavily sedated through the night and is sleeping deeply in ICU.
There was a funny moment earlier today when Mom was woken by the nurses. As soon as she came awake, she started making a writing motion with her hand. We got her some paper and a sharpie. After a few seconds of scribbling, I could make out "can't breathe".
"That's the breathing tube," answered our nurse, Kelsey. "It feels like a straw you're breathing through."
Over the next few minutes, Mom continued to scribble..."sore throat"..."lots of pain"...
Every time, the nurse responded reassuringly and I'd start to take the Sharpie, but she hung on tight and kept scribbling:
"too hot"..."dry mouth"..."dry throat"...
My mom, never a woman of few words, even after a major surgery! ;-) I shouldn't talk, this apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
After receiving some pain meds in her IV, she slipped back to sleep. But I still had to pry the Sharpie from her hand. LOL
Monday evening (9/9/19), Mom received the call that a donor was available. Our cousins Frankie, Steve, & Shelley drove Mom to Casper, WY, where Matt & I met them. It was an all-night rush to get Mom to the hospital in Denver for a 5:30 AM operation.
We arrived at 4:30 AM, but there was a delay finding a heart recipient, which delayed harvesting lungs for Mom. This went on all day Tuesday, the 10th. While we were eager to see Mom’s surgery to get going, we couldn’t help reflecting on our donor’s loved ones and the ordeal they were going through at the same time.
This morning, 9/11/19 @ 6 AM, Mom went into surgery to receive two new lungs. Surgery will last between 6 & 10 hours. We are praising God for this opportunity and trusting the Mighty Physician to do His thing as we wait for news.
It's official! Lorie got word Friday (8/23/19) that she's officially listed for double-lung transplant. They told her she's at the top of the list and could get called any time, so to be ready!
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Lorie
Hope you are feeling better. Wishing you all the best and a fast recovery.
Dana Crandall
Praying that Lorie comes through the surgery with flying colors and that she has a recovery and sustaining life beyond what anyone can imagine by the power of our Lord God, our Healer and our Provider. AMEN
LAURIE BERUMEN
We love you & we will be praying for you. Love The Vans
Carrie Van
I am praying that you will be able to have the transplant soon, Lori! May the Lord make it so!
Laurie Van Roekel
Thinking of you Lorie and sending lots of love. Love your Heeler pup! ❤️
Terri Guess
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Lorie Roe
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.
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