My story and journey began when I started experiencing a dry cough that wouldn’t go away for months, eventually, the months turned into years. In addition, the coughing was followed by a progressive shortness of breath.

Initially, I would make routine visits to the emergency room and to my primary care physician -who at the time was treating me with breathing treatments, (albuterol) cough medicine and prednisone packs, sometimes the regiment would make me feel better -momentarily. At first, I attributed my shortness of breath to my medical diagnosis of asthma, a little bit of weight gain and just being out of shape- get to the gym-walk, eat better etc. are the things I told myself -anything but being sick. I found myself avoiding stairs at all costs- if an elevator was in sight, I was taking it – so what? I’m not 18 anymore but I am only 46 (at that time).

By way of background, I was your typical person working 40-plus hours a week as a Special Education Teacher. I considered myself a healthy working individual and I did not have any health issues. I was not, nor have I ever been a smoker, nor have I ever been exposed to hazards work environments or mold.

One day while talking to my best friend on the phone during a two-hour conversation she calmly asked me “Sheila, how long have you been coughing?” I laughed and replied, “The whole-time girl!” she quickly explained she wasn’t referring to the current phone call and that it was time for us to be more aggressive in the quest of why. I expressed my concerns with my PCP.

My PCP then sent me to see a Rheumatologist and Pulmonologist. In July, 2019, I was diagnosed with having Mixed Connective Tissue disorder and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. The medical staff was very transparent in their findings and treatments. After several tests- CT-scans, PFTs, Spirometry tests etc. in September 2019 I was placed on oxygen therapy-which even at this point, I was still hopeful that now we have a named diagnosis there would be a treatment (without oxygen of course) that would make better. I was embarrassed and in denial that I needed oxygen. I did not want it and I fought it. When I started using oxygen I only needed 2.0 liters. Nevertheless, my lung function was declining quickly. As time went on I found it harder and harder for me to just walk from room to room in my home. It was hard to do simple daily chores-dishes, laundry, vacuum or even a simple walk to the mailbox all took its toll. Sometimes, when having lengthy conversations they would result in shortness of breath and coughing- all of it was tiresome. The oxygen prescriptions were requiring larger and larger tanks and before I realized it, I was using 10.0 liters of oxygen with excretion. The need for oxygen had now increased 24/7. This was not the quality of life I had envisioned.

Up until November 2020, I was still working (but remotely) until my doctors visit in the same month resulted in the sharing of their medical opinion- that I was too sick to continue work under the current medical conditions- even working remotely was hard to keep up. I was advised if I wanted a chance to live and have a better quality of life it was time for me to consider the inevitable-a Lung transplant, the only option available at this point, and Oh boy! Did the tears flow- In November 2020, I was extensively evaluated and was finally approved in February 2021, to receive a Double Lung Transplant and I was recently listed UNOs and I am currently waiting for a donor.

Due to the extraordinary expense of transplantation, funding this life-saving operation is a monumental task. Despite having insurance, many of my medical needs are not covered and must be paid out-of-pocket. We anticipate substantial uninsured costs such as lifelong immunosuppressant medications, travel to and from the Methodist Medical Center in Houston, and relocation pre transplant and post-transplant along with lodging costs. This presents a challenge that I and my children cannot meet alone.

You can help make a difference in Sheila’s life. A fundraising campaign in Sheila’s honor has been established with Help Hope Live (formerly NTAF), a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years. I have chosen Help Hope Live to assist with fund raising because all contributions are tax deductible, funds are held by Help Hope Live in the South-Central Lung Transplant Fund and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider donating to my cause. I truly believe that every day that the Lord allows me to see -is a special day, and it is a blessing from God. (no days are promised) Thank you for helping give me (Sheila) another chance at life- with quality.