Stories from the NJ Sharing Network
Hey everyone, I hope you're all doing well! It's soon going to be two months since I moved on to campus, and I'm definitely enjoying it. Regardless, let's get into this month's post.
The Transplant Waiting Process
From my experience with Ms. Costello, waiting for a transplant, regardless of organ needed, is an extremely difficult process. That's why a story that the NJ Sharing Network shared about Adele Pullins resonated with me so strongly.
According to the article, Adele experienced breathing issues that she simply thought was part of her bronchial asthma condition back in 2018. However, things soon took a turn for the worse. “I felt immobile and I could not breathe whether I was sitting, standing or laying back,” said Adele. “I was very scared, and it felt like I was drowning from the inside.”
She was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where the medical team determined that she was experiencing congestive heart failure due to cardiomyopathy. After receiving care there, she was transferred to Newark Beth Israel, where she received a pacemaker–and placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant.
“The toughest part for me right now is accepting that I just can’t live the same way that I used to,” said Adele. “I only have enough energy to do one thing at a time now. Before 2018, I was always on the go - working hard every day and rushing around to clean, cook, take walks and run errands.”
Wishing you the best, Adele!
The 2021 5K Celebration
On Sunday, September 21st, the NJ Sharing Network is hosting their annual 5K walk/run! I've participated/volunteered in something very similar with Gift of Life Michigan, so I'm definitely looking forward to doing the same here. Hopefully by then in-person volunteering opportunities will have opened up, considering many more people should be vaccinated by then.
Anyway, that's it for this month! Thank you all for reading, and I'll see you next time.
