Welcome to Duke Lung Transplant Friends
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Copyright© 2007 All Rights Reserved
Diane Detmer
Website designed, published and maintained by Diane Detmer
Contact Webmaster: dinki@charter.net
Diane Detmer
Website designed, published and maintained by Diane Detmer
Contact Webmaster: dinki@charter.net
Our Journey --
My name is Vicki Dunn. I am from Wilmington, North Carolina. I was the caregiver for my husband Buddy from the time he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis in November 2003, until his death in June of 2006. Buddy's diagnosis came after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He spent several weeks in the hospital after his diagnosis. After leaving the hospital, he was on oxygen 24/7. Buddy had cared for his father for six months prior to his death from the same disease. When we heard he had PF, we were both devastated! After seeing a Pulmonologist in Wilmington he immediately said Buddy had to go to Duke. He needed a Lung Transplant! We were in shock. We did not even realize they did lung transplants. That is where our journey began.
We made our first trip to Duke in late May/early June. Buddy went through all the pre-transplant tests. I stayed with him through the whole week. Every transplant patient and caregiver can understand what he had to go through. There were many lifestyle changes that Buddy had to make. We were both up for the challenge. We were excited for another chance at life. Thankful to God for answering so many prayers.
To make a long story short. Buddy and I moved up to Durham in December of 2004. He was in shape and ready for his transplant and so was I. He was excited! We were excited! He had his transplant on January 4, 2005. His transplant went well, with no complications.
Buddy left the hospital for only a few days. Then everything started to fall apart. He was back in the hospital. He had infection after infection, unbelievable swelling, allergic reactions to his transplant drugs, etc. Something that neither of us ever thought could or would happen. Needless to say, he spent the next eight months on 7800. The staff there became his (and my) family. For the longest time Buddy did not even know he was alive. My days consisted of being there for him, loving him, taking care of him, and doing whatever it took to help him want to get well.
I met and made many friends while sitting in Buddy's room everyday. Some transplant patients, some staff. They will always be special to me, as they were to Buddy. God was in control of every situation. He took us through a journey and down a path, I would have never expected. I know that every step that I took with Buddy had a purpose for someone. I realize even thought it was not God's will for Buddy to be healed here on earth he had a purpose for his life. I believe it was at Duke.
I was blessed with thirty-four years with a wonderful man, Buddy swept me off my feet as a teenager and walked through life with me, providing for me, protecting me, taking care of our children and me. I miss him more than words could ever express. He was my life! While I continue to grieve, I can still find joy in the friends we made at Duke, all the laughter and fun we had during Buddy's time there will always remain a precious memory. Duke was Buddy's safe place after his transplant. Often, our conversation would be about how much he appreciated and loved the people there.
For those of you who are the caregivers for your loved one that is waiting for a transplant or those of you who have had a transplant, I pray that you can find comfort in what God has planned for your life. He doesn't promise any of us days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain but even though there are times we feel like we can't go on, he does promise to give us Strength for each new day, Comfort for all our tears, and "Blessings" that we can't measure. So if you are a caregiver or will be one soon, I pray that God will sustain you to do the very best you can for that loved one that needs your love and care. I was blessed in so many ways by having Buddy in my life and being able to lavish him with all the love I had, and to have the love and support of all the wonderful people at Duke. That is what made our journey bearable through all our pain.
Thank you for the memories- - - -Love and many, many blessings,
Vicki Dunn
Buddy's life verse:
For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord, Plans for good, not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
My name is Vicki Dunn. I am from Wilmington, North Carolina. I was the caregiver for my husband Buddy from the time he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis in November 2003, until his death in June of 2006. Buddy's diagnosis came after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He spent several weeks in the hospital after his diagnosis. After leaving the hospital, he was on oxygen 24/7. Buddy had cared for his father for six months prior to his death from the same disease. When we heard he had PF, we were both devastated! After seeing a Pulmonologist in Wilmington he immediately said Buddy had to go to Duke. He needed a Lung Transplant! We were in shock. We did not even realize they did lung transplants. That is where our journey began.
We made our first trip to Duke in late May/early June. Buddy went through all the pre-transplant tests. I stayed with him through the whole week. Every transplant patient and caregiver can understand what he had to go through. There were many lifestyle changes that Buddy had to make. We were both up for the challenge. We were excited for another chance at life. Thankful to God for answering so many prayers.
To make a long story short. Buddy and I moved up to Durham in December of 2004. He was in shape and ready for his transplant and so was I. He was excited! We were excited! He had his transplant on January 4, 2005. His transplant went well, with no complications.
Buddy left the hospital for only a few days. Then everything started to fall apart. He was back in the hospital. He had infection after infection, unbelievable swelling, allergic reactions to his transplant drugs, etc. Something that neither of us ever thought could or would happen. Needless to say, he spent the next eight months on 7800. The staff there became his (and my) family. For the longest time Buddy did not even know he was alive. My days consisted of being there for him, loving him, taking care of him, and doing whatever it took to help him want to get well.
I met and made many friends while sitting in Buddy's room everyday. Some transplant patients, some staff. They will always be special to me, as they were to Buddy. God was in control of every situation. He took us through a journey and down a path, I would have never expected. I know that every step that I took with Buddy had a purpose for someone. I realize even thought it was not God's will for Buddy to be healed here on earth he had a purpose for his life. I believe it was at Duke.
I was blessed with thirty-four years with a wonderful man, Buddy swept me off my feet as a teenager and walked through life with me, providing for me, protecting me, taking care of our children and me. I miss him more than words could ever express. He was my life! While I continue to grieve, I can still find joy in the friends we made at Duke, all the laughter and fun we had during Buddy's time there will always remain a precious memory. Duke was Buddy's safe place after his transplant. Often, our conversation would be about how much he appreciated and loved the people there.
For those of you who are the caregivers for your loved one that is waiting for a transplant or those of you who have had a transplant, I pray that you can find comfort in what God has planned for your life. He doesn't promise any of us days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain but even though there are times we feel like we can't go on, he does promise to give us Strength for each new day, Comfort for all our tears, and "Blessings" that we can't measure. So if you are a caregiver or will be one soon, I pray that God will sustain you to do the very best you can for that loved one that needs your love and care. I was blessed in so many ways by having Buddy in my life and being able to lavish him with all the love I had, and to have the love and support of all the wonderful people at Duke. That is what made our journey bearable through all our pain.
Thank you for the memories- - - -Love and many, many blessings,
Vicki Dunn
Buddy's life verse:
For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord, Plans for good, not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Ottis (Buddy) & Vicki Dunn
Transplanted January 4, 2005
November 28, 1952 - June 26, 2006
Transplanted January 4, 2005
November 28, 1952 - June 26, 2006
Duke Lung Transplant Friends
Memorials
Memorials