I hope this blog inspires you, makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you angry, and basically makes you feel. Life is an embodiment of feelings. Both the good and the bad help us experience life to the fullest. If there were no bad feelings then how would we know what was good? I guess it’s that yin yang thing.
If you remember back in August I wrote an article about Joseph who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and was in need of a lung transplant. Thanks to everyone who has prayed for him and has donated their time and money. Today Joseph received his lung transplant. He experienced some problems after the surgery. They were having a difficult time getting the lungs to oxygenate and the bleeding to stop. They had to take him in for a second surgery and GREAT NEWS!!! Joseph is OUT OF SURGERY NOW!! He is doing MUCH BETTER!! They were able to stop the bleeding and his blood is clotting much better now! His oxygenation is much higher as well! Thank you SO MUCH for your prayers and support!!! Please continue to pray as Joseph goes into recovery.
To read the original article I wrote in August click here.
Follow this link to the Lung4Joseph blog for complete updates, history, videos and information for donations.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers. God Bless You.
When Joseph was diagnosed with *Cystic Fibrosis at 3 yrs. old the doctors told his mom that he would probably not make it past his eighth birthday. Almost 27years later… HE'S STILL HERE... Still going stro....ok... well….We cannot honestly tell you anymore that “he's still going strong.” Sure…in spite of the chicken legs…he's still ruggedly handsome and seemingly the picture of mediocre health…but unfortunately Joseph's lungs are calling it quits.
Over the past 20 years, he has been admitted to the hospital a countless number of times (lost count at 72) battling one lung infection after another. Currently at 5’6” his weight has dropped to 108 pounds and his lungs are operating at 14% (FEV1) of expected function based on his age, weight, height, ect. and he has recently been placed on home oxygen. Fighting infection, congestion, weight loss, etc. has become a daily struggle.
After much prayer…he has decided to receive a double lung transplant. There are enormous costs associated with receiving an organ transplant. Hospital and physician charges alone can cost up to $500k. Thankfully Joseph's insurance will cover 80% of that cost. However…the remaining 20%, which could be as much as $100k, will be his responsibility.
On top of that…required outpatient immuno-suppressant medications following transplantation can cost anywhere between $15k - $25k annually, leaving him to pay prescription co-pays that could very likely be hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month.
It’s worth the cost. We know that God is not finished with Joseph yet. Over the past eight years since he gave his life to Christ, he's had the opportunity to share Jesus' love and Gospel to many people in many churches, schools, clubs, street corners, camps and yes…hospitals. You may have even seen him on the side of the road in Stockbridge holding up a poster board that says, "Jesus Still Loves You" on it. He love's ministering…and he's not finished!
With the transplant, as far as Joseph's lungs are concerned, he will be cured of cystic fibrosis! He will no longer have to endure frequent hospitalizations! He will no longer have to tell Kayse (his wife) to slow down while walking around together! With new lungs he will be able to run around the yard with his dogs, go hiking with his friends, swimming with his family, and play catch with his nephews!!!
But…We Need Your Help!
Helen Keller said it best, “Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much.”
Please prayerfully consider what you can do to financially or otherwise help support us in this endeavor.
You can also visit Joseph's Blog: http://www.lungs4joseph.com/ to keep updated with the latest news on the transplant, hear Joseph's testimony, see a schedule of upcoming fundraisers or to make a secured credit/debit card donation through PayPal.
Donations can also be given at any Wachovia bank. Just let the teller know that you would like to give to:Lungs For Joseph.
Thank You for supporting this life saving campaign!
*Cystic Fibrosis (also known as CF) is a hereditary disease affecting the exocrine (mucous) glands of the lungs causing chronic respiratory and digestive problems.
Mission: Our mission is to raise moo-lah for Joseph McCanne's lung transplant and post transplant immunosuppressant drugs. You can also join in a Walk-A-Thon for this worthy cause. It is going to be:
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009 Time: 6:00pm - 9:30pm Location: Mount Carmel Elementary Street: 2450 Mt. Carmel Rd. City/Town: Hampton, GA
Hi. I’m Brian, the old man. I'm a Christian father of two wonderful children, a son and a daughter. I live in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Georgia. In 2007, I was bed ridden. In 2009, I almost died but as they began to pray over me my vitals began to improve. Today, I have lost over 150 pounds and I am feeling great! Praise the Lord! If you would like to learn more about me watch The Legend of the Old Man on my blog or the audio track on my profile.
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