So, here I am! 4 years and counting. Incredible. Every time I hit a mile marker, I think, “How did I get here?” It’s beyond what I ever expected when I chose to get on the lung transplant list and was transplanted on June 10, 2011. I am so blessed.
Emotions ran high for me when my 10 year old Jayden came home from school yesterday. He said he had been worried all day about me in school because I was on my 3rd day of feeling sick and in pain with a flare up of my auto-immune disease. He walked in and sat next to me and gave me a big hug. He then said, “Mommy, I am not looking forward to the winter.” Having no idea when he was talking about, I asked him why. He had such a sad look and said, “I don’t want the winter to get here because I don’t want you to die because it will be closer to the 5 years.”
We have been honest with the boys that as the years go by, my chances get smaller. The national statistics at this time are that 83% of people survive 1 year, 53% of people survive 5 years, and 28% of people survive 10 years. Those are just the facts, and the boys know it. I guess this is just the first time that I realized that it is in the forefront of his little mind to worry about that. Kind of breaks my heart, actually.
I can’t begin to say the feelings that rushed over me in that moment. Jayden is such a sweet, sensitive kid. More than Josiah who is only 7, Jayden experienced everything with my surgeries and time away. He remembers what it was like moving house to house with friends while Jay and I were gone, and he was the one who always felt like he had to take care of me, etc. He has dealt with so much more than any boy his age should have to. I want thinking about my life expectancy to be the LAST thing he ever thinks about.
It was just a great reminder this week to appreciate each and every moment. Everyone should. I am like a broken record saying this on my blog. 🙂 But it is so true! Sometimes, I let time get away from me, and I let days go by when I am not as appreciative as I should be. I let days go when I don’t spend as much cuddle time with the boys as I should and where I lack the awe that should come with my extension on life. Luckily for me, my 10 year old checked me on that yesterday. I reminded him how much I love him and that even though we have no idea how long I will live, I reminded him that we have TODAY. I asked him if we did everything yesterday that we could to enjoy each other and the miracle of that day. And we spent time together thanking God and praying that we have many more days left in His plan for us.
Definitely something for me to focus on and thank God for each and every day. And anyone reading this blog too! Life is such a precious gift.
Melanie Putnam 
Enjoyed your email and so happy for you to be here. Take each day one day at a time and hug your family with an I Love You to each one. Yes, we are here thru the grace of God and none know when we’ll be called home. Thinking and praying for you to have many healthy years with your family. LY
You are so sweet! Thank you so much. ❤ xxooxxoo
Prayers are forever coming your way. You have the sweetest boys, they take after their MOM!!! Each day is a blessing, thank you for reminding every one of us of this!!!!!
Aww, thank you so much Miss Seng! They are definitely incredible little dudes. I am so blessed to have them. xxooxxoo
What a beautiful post! I should have started a blog. I bet it helps clear the mond. You are such an inspiration to sooo many people. The boys are blessed to have such a bueatiful mommy inside and out! ❤ 😚
You have such a wonderful attitude keep blogging. I’ve been following you since the beginning. I’ve never met you but maybe someday. You are a true inspiration to all of us and reading/following your blogs makes me a better person. You have such a blessed family and support group. I pray everyday u get to enjoy your GRANDCHILDREN when they arrive..(many years from now) May God bless you for many years. People like you need to inspire all of us.
“Please support my efforts”
I recently accepted the challenge of participating the American Lung Association’s annual fundraising event, Fight For Air Climb on April 16, 2016 at Aon Center 707 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90017, and I need your help.
Here is what your gracious donation and the Fight For Air Climb program will help to support:
• Research into promoting lung health and preventing lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and tuberculosis;
• Being pro-active in the fight against outdoor air pollutants and environmental health; and
• Striving to reduce tobacco use, especially among young people, that is responsible for over 392,000 deaths in the United States each year.
The mission of the American Lung Association is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
I am asking you to help by supporting my fund-raising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of many Americans who struggle to breathe! It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause – you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message.
Any amount will be appreciated, but a gift of $100 will go a long way towards helping me reach my goal of $125.00 and help in the fight against lung disease. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.
Sincerely,
Lim, Christjan Gil.
http://action.lung.org/site/TR/Climb/ALACA_California?px=6614075&pg=personal&fr_id=13022