Donna Collins' Lung Transplant Journey Memorial

Memorial Prayer page for Donna Collins! Raise awareness for Organ Donation! My journey to lung transplant is a long one that began more than 30 years ago.

At the age of 19, I married the love of my life and my soul mate, Ray. We were, and still are, crazy about each other, and we couldn’t wait to live the rest of our lives together and make beautiful memories growing old together. We had our first child when we were both just 22 years old and were loving raising our precious daughter, Jennifer, as we looked forward to having more children. Then, whe

n we thought I might be expecting again, the doctor discovered that not only was I not pregnant, but I had a low-grade fever and anemia. I was devastated, but Ray remained positive that we would figure out what the problem was, get it taken care of and move on with our plans of having more children. After more than six months of tests and two surgeries, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Jennifer was 20 months old the day I started my year of chemo. At that time, cancer treatments were not as targeted as they are now. Research over the past 30 years has greatly improved care for cancer patients and their families. So I had 2 chemo treatments every month for a full year. After all the chemo and a final exploratory surgery, where my spleen was removed and tested, I was declared “in remission”. Praise God and thanks to my family and friends for all the prayers that got me through that. I know in my heart that I would not have made it through it without every single person and prayer that was said on my behalf. Then, about 13 months after the surgery, I contracted bacterial spinal meningitis. Again, God put the right people in my life to order the right tests to diagnose something that most adults don’t get, because their spleen will fight this bacteria. But since I don’t have a spleen any longer, I was able to get it. I lost all hearing in my left ear and had little to no use of my legs, and my neck muscles were like a newborn’s. After 3 weeks in the hospital, many rounds of antibiotics, and 8 weeks of physical therapy, I was walking again and able to care for Jennifer, who was now 4 years old. Life continued on, and less than a year later, Ray and I got the all clear from my oncologist that we could try to have another baby. I was so excited, until I realized that I was no longer fertile, because of the chemo. Once again, our plans were derailed! So, I sought fertility testing and treatment from my OB/GYN. After 9 months of Clomid, I got pregnant, and at the 13 week ultrasound found out that we were having TWINS!!!! Just three days before Jennifer’s 6th birthday, Kristina and Matthew were born at 32 weeks 5 days. Kristina was 4 lbs, 17 ½ inches long and Matthew was 3 lbs 12 oz, 17 inches. They were so tiny, but very healthy for preemies. They were only in the hospital for a couple of weeks, which in itself is a miracle. For the next 15 years or so, I was relatively healthy, and our life was once again wonderful. Then, about 12 years ago, I was teaching Bible study at our church and was having difficulty going up the stairs. My doctor told me that I was just overweight and out of shape. A couple of years later, I was still having problems and my oxygen saturation at rest was low, around 87, so I started seeing a pulmonologist and the testing began. After all the tests came back negative, I was given a diagnosis of Exercise-Induced Asthma with instructions to use portable oxygen at the gym for workouts and an oxygen concentrator at night. Well, we went on with that for a number of years with some success at making me feel better. Due to exercise and medications, I was eventually able to get off of the oxygen completely for a short time! Then, about 2 years ago, I started having the same problems again, but the exercise and medications did not seem to help as much. So some of the tests were repeated and a catherization of the right side of my heart was done, which revealed Pulmonary Hypertension, meaning the pressure in the pulmonary arteries is high. This was causing the right side of my heart to work too hard to pump blood through my lungs, and my lungs were not oxygenating my blood correctly. Because I do not have another medical issue that can cause this, it is considered Primary Pulmonary Hypertension or PPH. However, the doctors have all told me that this is probably due to the chemotherapy that saved my life 30 years ago. This is a progressive disease, for which there is no cure and little treatment. The medications for PPH really only treat the symptoms and do little to stop the progression of the disease. The only true solution for PPH is double lung transplant, which was difficult to hear, but we are moving forward with. Now you know how we got to this point. I will be getting my transplant with the Lung Transplant Group at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN. We will be updating this page as often as possible to let everyone know any new specific prayer concerns as they occur. I am now 55 years old with 3 wonderful children, 2 terrific sons-in-law and 4 precious grandchildren. Ray and I love God with all our hearts, and He is the Lord of our lives and our guide through this entire situation. We are asking everyone who believes that prayer works, and even those who doubt, to take this journey with us. Follow this page and watch God continue to work miracles in our lives.

09/12/2016

A picture of Donna's namesake. Catherine Donna Freeman. Born Thursday evening weighing 6 lbs 14 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.

11/05/2015

Funeral arrangements for Donna are as follows:

Memphis Funeral Home. 3700 N Germantown Parkway is in charge of arrangements.
However, visitation and the funeral service will be at Bartlett United Methodist Church 5676 Stage Rd. Bartlett, TN.

visitation will be on Thursday November 5, 2015. from. 5pm - 8pm.

Funeral Services will be Friday November 6, 2015 at 2 pm.

Burial will be at Memphis Funeral Home and Gardens on N Germantown Parkway.

11/03/2015

The outpouring of love and support for our family has been overwhelming. Please know that we read and appreciate each and every comment. To all of you I want to say thank you for all of them. Donna could never grasp the breadth of support she had nor why people were so 'inspired' by her actions. She said as much to me just the other day. She said "I am only trying to live my life the way I think God wants me to live it".

I won't be able to personally respond to all of you, but please know, I truly appreciate them all.

Ray

11/02/2015

It is with extreme sadness that I let you all know that Donna has left this earth. She is now with her Lord and my Lord Jesus Christ.

11/02/2015

I need prayer warriors now!!! Donna in ER with respiratory failure and heart failure.

10/31/2015

Just a quick update with a measurable progress comparison. When Donna had her initial eval for rehab, she was only able to walk 110 ft with her walker. Today, she was able to walk 410 ft with her walker AND spend time on the Nu-step machine and other exercises. Very productive week!!

Thanks for your continued prayers of support.

Keeping the Faith !!

Ray

10/29/2015

Donna had a clinic appt. today to review recent blood work, chest x-ray and PFTs. Overall the Dr. is pleased with the levels of anti-rejection meds being maintained in the blood and the increase in pulmonary function even as slight as it was. The Dr is watching Donna ' s liver function results which is not yet quite back to normal and a couple of small areas of possible fluid in the very lower lobes of her lungs.

Her lungs are moving air well and her oxygen sats are holding nicely even with exersion. The Dr did make a couple of tweaks to Donna ' s meds, but not to any of the anti-rejection meds.

Donna will be scheduled for a swallow study sometime over the next week or so.

Pulmonary rehab is going well. It wears Donna out, but she has done everything they have asked her to do. Everyone at the Dayani Center are great encouragers while pushing Donna to do all she can do. Progress is slow, but getting better.

We request continued prayers for physical and emotional stamina as Donna continues on the road to recovery.

Keeping the Faith !!

Ray

10/25/2015

Today was a rest day for the most part. Donna did some exercises given to her from the Dayani coaches. She has sore muscles from the sessions she has had, but she understands that you have to tear the muscles down before you can start rebuilding them and that is where she is.

We watched a lot of college football and I fought Nashville traffic to get to the store for a few things!

I may be posting a little less often and post when we have notable progress in rehab, up coming procedures, or information from the Medical team.

We still covet your prayers and good thoughts, and thank you all for your love and support.

Keeping the Faith !!

Ray

10/24/2015

Day two of Donna ' s evaluation went well today. She did a 6 minute walk test, some more work on the Nu-step machine and then time learning some exercises she can do while not at the center. She was really winded at the end of her appt., but went with me to Target to pick up a few things we needed to help organize our paperwork and some food items. By the time we got back to the apartment, she was really worn out, so we settled in and we are watching the Memphis football game.

Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

Keeping the Faith !!!

Ray

Photos from Donna Collins' Lung Transplant Journey Memorial's post

10/22/2015

We think Donna turned the first of many corners today. Donna had her initial evaluation meeting today at the Dayani Center (pulmonary rehab center). Donna ' s coach is a super guy that listened to Donna ' s situation and instilled confidence that she can and will get stronger and increase her stamina and capabilities. Donna felt more in her element in the gym type setting and was more comfortable and less anxious.

As part of the level setting evaluation Donna was asked to do a couple of exercises. She was able to leg press 70 lbs. and was on the neustep machine for 15 minutes! This ability surprised Donna and me.

Donna ' s coach will develop an exercise plan for her to follow, updating it as she progresses. She will have sessions 5 days per week unless she is ill, or has tests that prevent her participation.

Pray with us for continued progress.

Keeping the Faith !!

Ray

10/21/2015

Donna had her first post transplant clinic appointment this morning. We met with Dr. Shaver for the first time and are very impressed with her knowledge and thoroughness. She is changing a couple of medications and adjusting dosages of others, which is part of the process. One thing she stressed with us is that anyone visiting with or around Donna MUST be current on their flu shot. That being the case, please do not be offended if we asked you about you flu shot status if you want to visit.

There are a couple of GI test the Dr wants to do to evaluate swallow and stomach function. Not necessarily a problem, just a fairly routine followup.

We have an appointment tomorrow afternoon for her outpatient rehab evaluation and plan.

Looking Forward to getting into a workout schedule and seeing body tone and stamina changes.

Keeping the Faith:

Ray

10/20/2015

For any that have not already heard, we broke out of the hospital today!!! Our daughter Jennifer came over to help us get all of our stuff from the hospital to the apartment we will be in for at least the next couple of months. Donna is doing okay but still has a tough road ahead as she looks to begin outpatient pulmonary rehab. We are looking to hear from the center tomorrow as to when Donna starts.

Please continue to pray for Strength of mind, body and spirit as she begins the process of rebuilding her body and getting her body and new lungs working together.

Our apartment address is:
152 Villages at Vanderbilt
Nashville, TN. 37212

Keeping the Faith:

Ray

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Donna Collins' Lung Transplant Journey Memorial

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