Donna’s Miracle
Hello , I am Donna Traylor, I am now 50 yrs of age, but at the age of 33, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. I was a nurse, and was a mother of a nine yr old and ten yr old. I was very active in their little league activities, working full time, and the normal duties of a mother and wife, so when I became weak and tired,I was sure it was fatigue related. I was hospitalized with flu symptons, coughing and severe weakness. I remember coming home from hospital and thinking , I am too tired to walk! I was first diagnosed with asthma, but after a few weeks of trying every asthma med on earth, I grew sicker., I grew sicker daily. I was making rounds at the hospital with a doctor, I will never forget! He told me to go to the phone and get an appt with a pulmonary specialist at Vanderbilt, in Nashville, Tn. I was coughing 24 hours a day. I saw Dr John Newman who was so kind and so caring. He and his partner, Dr Loyd, with God’s help kept from dying! I owe them so much, and love all my doctors from the bottom of my heart. I coughed blood, coughed so hard, that I never slept . My mother was by my side every day, and I can never thank her enough! Dr Newman did every test imaginable and after an open lung biopsy, done by the once Senator Frisk, of Tenn, I was diagnosed with IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY HEMOSIDEROSIS. This is usually a childhood illness. I was very sick, very sick and spent countless days in patient at Vandy, with an excellent staff of physicians. Dr. Loyd King, a kind, gentle soul took over my skin care, as I had horrible prednisone acne, and he is a man I will never forget either. I was placed on high doses of steroids( 100mg a day), chemo meds, , went to PHOTOPHERESIS, and was sick for many years. I was home bound for three years, I had home nurses, which took wonderful care of me. Helen Walters and Dawn Prestwood, and so many others who took care of my, I thank you so much. I was very sick, and required around the clock help. My nurses were here during the day, and my daddy would stay second shift, and my mother, God bless her heart, stayed sometimes 24 hours a day! She gave up her life for many years, so my children would not miss one ball game or school activity. I think this illness was worse on my parents and family that it was on me. My mother stayed every night at my house for almost three years. She never gave up hope. My father also, who without these two people I would be dead today, I do believe. They made sure my children had clothes, food, and my family never did without, due to their sacrifices. Today my mother can not hardly speak of those years, as it is still too hard for her. I would gasp for breath, cough for hours on end, and cry from pain. My parents and children, and family had to endure watching me in this shape. My children were involved in many things, cheer leading, basketball, and baseball, and my parents made sure they never missed one event. My father became a taxi driver for the children. I am so grateful for everything they did for me and my family!
My lung disease is an autoimmune disease and connective tissue disease, so I also had and still have lupus type symptons, MS and other issues.. I was near death’s door many times, but made it through with the help if God, my family and the wonderful team of doctors I have had over the years. I am truly blessed. After nearly three years of being totally bedridden and home bound, I slowly got better. It is a true miracle that I am sitting here typing now! I would like to Thank Blue Cross also for their loyalty to my family. Slowly I got better, very slowly, I weighed about 145 pounds when my illness began, and went to 428 pounds! This was due to inactivity, and the steroids caused my appetite to be HUGE! I lost over 200 pounds in the next two years slowly
I am very happy. I have re married to a great man, Mike Traylor, and I am so thankful to him for his patience on the days I still now in 2009 feel so bad. He is right there for me. I know its very hard for families of severe or chronically ill patients, and I am so thankful for my entire family who has been there for me . Thanks to my brothers who came and sat with me, when we never knew if I would be alive. Thanks to my neighbor, Tommie McCutcheon, who was so good to help my mother out. Thanks Helen, my RN who was always there for my family! Thanks to all the churches, Dixie Youth baseball, and friends, co workers, who helped us so much with raffles, and fund raising to help us get through that first year. Thanks go to Jesus, who was there, with my always and brought me through a storm of life. When the storms came raging and flood waters were near, God sent sandbags of love, hope and faith via family , friends, co workers, and our community. Thanks Steve Bailey, who is now with Jesus for all the times you and Linda came to see me, and my family.
God has now blessed me with even more friends, and I am very thankful to them all!
I was blessed to be able to go back to nursing for several years after all of the illness. I am now off work again due to an MS flare. I have four beautiful grandchildren and a wonderful family! I am so blessed.
Remember whatever you are going through, God brought you to it, he will bring you through it.
God bless you all, and remember, those storms of life may come, flood waters may come near but God will send you sandbags to keep the flood waters out!
HIGHER POWER MINE WALKS ON WATER