Sheila Green

God’s Not Done.

Anyone that know me, know that I am extremely private person, therefore, the telling of my story in this manner and on this platform does not come with ease. However, I have come to the realization that this journey is not all about me. This journey is about hope and healing for myself as well as others. This story and all the Glory belongs to God.

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.