Her story…..
Laurie Boyd is awaiting a second chance for her life. In 1966 she was diagnosed with asthma and in 1972 she contracted whooping cough. As a child, teen, and young adult she experienced severe Bronchitis infections. In 2003 she tested positive for Tuberculosis. Her lung capacity continued to diminish over the years and by 2011 she needed to be on oxygen at night time.
Updates (9)
June 26, 2022
Happy One Year Lungaversary
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.”
Psalm 5:3
One year ago, today Jesus said “It’s time!” Thanks to a selfless donor who saved me, I was given a second chance at life. I pray for the donor and his family almost daily and hope that one day I will get to meet his family or at least get to talk to them and tell them what a difference their loved one’s donation has made in my life. He will always, always have a special place in my heart. What a journey this has been so far. Today has been a celebration of the milestone I have come but also a day of sadness for the donor’s family.
We would like to thank my surgeon, Dr. Bachetta and his team as well as my entire transplant team. They have watched over me with care and compassion like no others. I recently traveled to Nashville and Vanderbilt did a series of tests and a Bronchoscopy for my annual checkup. Yippee!!!!!!!!!! I passed with flying colors. No Lung rejection, No bacterial or fungus infections. Thank you, Jesus!!!
I want to thank my hubby, Gordon for all the long hours you have spent driving me back and forth to Nashville for my regular clinical checkups and labs, all the worrying you have endured and for the awesome job you have done taking care of me. I Love You so very much. Thanks to my kiddos Damian/ Rochelle, Stephanie/Tim and Jennifer/Zak for being there during the surgery and for being my support team and your daddy’s. Thank you, Penny, Amy, Izabelle, Holly, Chloe and TaTa, for making sure Gordy was not alone one year ago today when he was so uncertain of the turnout even though I knew without a doubt God had this. I can’t tell you what it has meant to him as well as myself. We can’t forget to thank our church family Zion Chapel Baptist Church. You have gone above and beyond. The phone calls, the messages, and the cards are what have kept us going. Thank you to so many other churches for keeping us on your prayer list. Thank you, my neighbors, for checking on us and taking care of the house when we’ve had to be away. Thank you to all our family and friends near and far. We have the best cheerleading team there ever was.
It still at certain times seems surreal. I’ll catch myself wondering if I have enough oxygen to go to town. The other day I started out the door and stopped instantly. I wondered for a split second if I REALLY could go outside and pull weeds. Seems silly but one year ago the answer was a big no! I have a lot of those moments. I will never, ever forget where I was before my donor saved me. Lastly, I want to thank God for his master plan because without him my journey would not have been possible.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
August 27, 2021
Happy Two Month Breathe Day!
Today is my two-month lungiversary. We are still in Nashville. I have finally graduated from the tri-weekly labs and x-rays down to every other week. My latest pulmonary fitness test showed I have 97% lung capacity. Before transplant I only had 17%. I still attend pulmonary rehabilitation three days a week. I can walk up and back down six flights of stairs.
God is so Good ALL the Time! My lungs are strong and are getting stronger every day. I am so grateful for the new life I will get to have with these lungs. I am thankful for the donor and hopeful that one day I can tell the donor’s family how much this means to me.
God has had a hand in this from the get go. I have four doctors that I see on a regular basis. Initially, three of them felt like I only needed a single lung transplant but early on one doctor in particular wanted me to have a double lung transplant. She fought for the double lung transplant clear up to the decision day back in January and she won. Recently, her grandma called from North Vernon and was telling her about a lady originally from Indiana that needed a double lung transplant. The doctor asked what hospital it was being performed at and her grandma told the doctor it was Vanderbilt. The doctor asked who the person was and said maybe I will know her. Of course, her grandma said it was me and immediately the doctor said that’s my patient!!! It turns out not only was she my advocate for the double lungs but we are from the same town, graduated the same high school and Gordon graduated with her dad and I graduated with her mom. I’m telling you, there are angels amongst us. They have been watching over me this whole journey.
New things I’m doing for the first time in over 10 years……..
I have a different laugh. Not sure if it was because I didn’t have the air to laugh before but it’s definitely different.
Sneezes…..whoa! Look out. Don’t be standing in front of me when I sneeze. I haven’t learned how to control all that air at one time but I will.
Get clothes out of the washer and dryer and still be able to breathe. Before I would stop after a few handfuls and catch my breathe.
Change the sheets on the bed and not have to stop three or four times to catch my breathe.
I can walk and walk and walk and walk and still breathe.
I can’t wait to finally walk in the sand along the ocean. Before the sand was too heavy and I could only walk about 20 feet before I had to stop.
There is a walk bridge over the Banana River in Florida that I can’t wait to walk across.
I can’t wait to walk to festivals and yard sales.
I can walk up and back down six flights of stairs.
I carried groceries in and could still breathe.
I’m no longer concerned about air getting all used up in hallways, stairwells and elevators.
I know these might be small things to y’all but when a person has COPD, these are really big issues. I never let my disease define me. I still exercised everyday six days a week. I had to be strong enough for the recovery and it made the difference in how quickly I have bounced back. When you struggle to breathe with COPD, you really do feel like a fish out of the water, wondering where your next tiny little breathe will come from. I want to encourage you if you yourself or someone you know has COPD, check into the possibility of lung transplant. It could change your life forever.
Lastly, I cannot forget to thank my husband and my family who have been cheerleaders. My neighbors (our second family) have stepped in and are taking care of the homestead while we are here and all our church families that continue to pray fervently for us. Thank you….thank you….thank you!
We would like to ask that you continue praying for no rejection, just perfect lungs and health. Thank you all for everything.
Please visit my HelpHopeLive page leave me a motivational message and if you can, please donate. Even the smallest of donations will go a long way to help pay for my medical and medication expenses. Friends and family please feel free to share. God Bless!
Photo Galleries (2)
Guestbook
July 25, 2021
Many blessings dear friend
Rose Edwards
July 11, 2021
I had been praying for you as has my SS class. I have pulmonary fibrosis and it is manageable but I so value to ability to breath. I will continue to pray for your health. God is so wonderful.
Larry Ellis Maryville
April 17, 2021
Our thoughts & prayers are always with you!
Cathy Yarnell
