Meet my friend Stephanie....
Stephanie is a beautiful young lady who is a dear friend of my daughter and I. She has a loving heart and an unshakable faith in God and His power. She has a very devote husband, Andrew, and one precious daughter Lilly. Sounds like a wonderful life, right?
There is just one thing that breaks my heart in her story. Stephanie has Cystic Fybrosis.
God has been with her every step of her journey. When she was diagnosed, they told her she wouldn't live past 16. But she did. She was told she may never be able to have children, but she is so blessed with Lilly.
She just turned 30 in June and the past couple of years her health has been declining and she has to return to the hospital more and more often. Each time, she seems to take longer to bounce back and her oxygen levels are harder and harder to maintain to the point where they need to be. Not too long ago, she had an extremely bad spell and I know we were all so worried. It seemed this was the worst she had ever been and the horrible numbers on the readings refused to go back where they needed to be. But the next day, she started improving and was up and smiling her usual happy self.
But this last time she went in, the news wasn't as good. This horrible disease has attacked her body for so long and so hard that is at the point that they told her it was time to start talking about a double lung transplant. She has already been to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville a couple of times and has started the long drawn out process of testing, filling out form after form and learning about what all is involved.
But with true Stephanie spirit, she is clinging to her faith as she goes through this process. There are many things that could go wrong, but there are many more that could go right. She used to just use her oxygen tank very rarely. These days it is a constant companion and she spends most of her time at home staying away from the germs and contamination in the air. Recently, her mom, who is a good friend of mine, posted something on Facebook that touched my heart.....
From Stephanie's Mom...
To Stephanie, with everything you have coming in the near future I knew when I saw this I had to share with you. For 30 years you have lived with and dealt with Cystic Fibrosis and never let it get in your way of your dreams.You are a strong young woman and a wonderful wife mother and most of all fantastic daughter.I admire the courage you have in just your day to day struggles.God has a plan for you and I have always known in my heart you would be a inspiration to others. Our whole family and all our friends are behind you on the decision you have made for the lung transplant. If I can't be with you for the whole journey just know I am there holding your hand the whole way.You will always be my baby girl and I will do whatever you need me to do. God has this I'm certain of that. All my love mom.
I posted this today in hopes that each and every one of you will whisper a prayer on her behalf. She has a long, hard road ahead of her. My heart goes out to her and her family. But with God's mercy and grace, anything can happen if we just place our faith in him.
After insurance, her out of pocket expenses are expected to be around $75,000.00. Her husband will need to move to Nashville to be with her and money is going to be very tight. Please visit her Go Fund Me page at Go Fund Me-Stephanie Goodall if you feel led to make a donation.
