Dearest friends and family,The word "Mother" is an understatement for Norrine. She is hands down the strongest, most thoughtful, positive, and loving human being I have ever known.She is a fighter, my best friend and more importantly my hero. I can't imagine my life without her so that's why I made this secretely to help her and my father out. My mother has been fighting two auto immune diseases for many years, non-specific interstital pneumonitis and vasculitis. Thankfully she was diagnosed with "non-specific" otherwise she would most likely not still be here today. Most of you are aware that my mother has been undergoing a number of medical tests to determine her level of health in order to be put on the lung transplant list at the UW Medical Center in Seattle, WA. Those were all completed recently in Seattle and Portland, and as of today I can officially announce she is on the the transplant list. Now it's go time, she can get the call any day, any hour to get up to Seattle immediately for the surgery. People who get placed on the lung transplant list have a life expectancy of two years. Post-transplant the average life expectancy is five years, however some have lived ten years or more. Assuming her recovery isn’t complicated, they will have to stay in Seattle until she is released from the hospital for at least 3 months. She will have weekly post-surgery appointments during that time. They are expecting to stay at the Transplant House near the UW campus. Staying elsewhere is nearly double the cost, so please pray that a unit is available for them when the time comes. My parents and I are extremely grateful for her cousin, Linda Smokey, and her dear friend, Susan Balbas who are both willing to be her secondary caregivers. My father has been doing so incredibly much for her and he will need periodic respite so having them nearby to assist is a blessing. Any other offers of assistance will be appreciated so please feel free to contact any of us.I am currently working two jobs and taking classes at Portland Community College and Portland State. Unfortunately I will not be in Seattle with my parents through it all which is not ideal, but I will be helping as much as I possibly can. I will take care of our home and our two doggies in their absence.My parents have been attending lung transplant support group meetings here in Portland and learning so much from transplant survivors. These meetings are also great for the former caregivers to share their experiences with the new ones to help prepare them for post-surgery responsibilities. With all of this being said and done her medical bills will be nearly over 1 million dollars. Insurance will cover a good portion; however, there will still be a substancial amount.This is a huge life-altering journey for the three of us, and it's going to be a challenge but my mother is a tough cookie and I expect nothing less than a smooth, full recovery and live as long as the Creator allows her to. Thank you for your support and please keep her in your prayers.Much love,Sierra Smith
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