Kelly’s Story by Tiffany
My name is Tiffany and I’m a RN that had the privilege to care for adult patients with Cystic Fibrosis.
My CF patients have always had a special place in my heart, and to this day, I continue to fight for a cure for those who can no longer fight and lost their battle with this horrible disease. One of my patients that comes to mind is Kelly. She could always brighten my day. No matter what was going on with her when she was hospitalized, she always kept a positive attitude. Unfortunately, she lost her battle at the young age of 26.
She met the love of her life, the man she would marry. On her wedding day, she didn’t feel 100%, but she was determined to make it a good day. Three days after her wedding she was hospitalized. It was my last week working on that unit. 1 month later, she took a sudden turn for the worse and was in desperate need of a lung transplant. She became top priority for a transplant and within a month, a transplant was available. Sadly, she passed away 2 weeks later. She never got to go on a honeymoon or start her life as a wife.
When I got the call, I was devastated. She had so much going for her. Even though her transplant rejected, it doesn’t keep me from encouraging others to be an organ donor. I’ve seen transplants be successful and not so successful. I know she and her family are so very thankful for the person who was an organ donor and was able to give her a little more time with friends and family. One of my biggest passions in life is to fight for a cure for CF and to encourage people to be an organ donor. I have so much compassion for my CF patients and may work with them again in the future, but for now, I want to fight for those who lost their battle and those who continue with their battle.
Tiffany
Former CF nurse now a ER nurse but will never stop fighting for a cure. I’m very passionate about CF and organ donation.
