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From My Son

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Robert Armstrong

Published: June 4, 2008

I just wanted to share a card and comments from my son who underwent a lung transplant a few years ago. He was in his 50s and had pulmonary fibrosis in both lungs. He was anxiously waiting for a lung transplant at Ohio State Medical Center. The care read:

Mom and Dad, Children Do Not Realize.
Until we're grown, we never know or fully realize,
How sweet and kind our parents are, how gentle and how wise.
We simply take for granted, from day to passing day, each sacrifice they make for us, in their own loving way.
But then we grow and finally learn, the way that children do,
How much their love has really meant, how thoughtful they've been too.
And so this comes with all the thanks, you both deserve and more,
For there aren't two dearer parents, than the ones this greeting's for. Love and happiness always, Bobby.

My son's comments on the card are as follows:
Mom and Dad. Hope all is well down South. Wish I could come down to visit. The days are long, but I'm ready for whatever. Take each day as a blessing.
God blessed me when he made you my mom and dad. I hate that someone must die just for me to have a chance to live. But who knows what is next. Love each other and enjoy each one's company. Think of the good times, because they outnumber the bad times. Smile, the sun is out. Have a fun day. Love Bobby.

The worst part of all this is that my wife also had pulmonary fibrosis and scleroderma; two horrible debilitating diseases with no cure. Hospice was coming to the house at this time. My wife's concern was that my son, without a transplant, could pass away before her.

My son did get a transplant of one side; maybe the donor's other lung helped someone else to live longer, we didn't know. His mother passed away later in 2001 in a coma, but knowing that her son got a transplant and would live.

Robert Armstrong
Sebring

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