Living on borrowed time.....

Over the last two weeks, my brother Roberto, 40, has endured a series of dramatic health related events, none of which we would wish to encounter over a lifetime. Eleven years ago he was diagnosed with PIP, a chronic pulmonary disorder that produces protein when fighting infections. Most individuals simply expel the protein as the infection is reduced. In his case the protein builds and eventually suffocates him. Doctors at Duke University Medical Hospital have been able to "wash-out" (lavage) the protein build-up over the years, yet with each treatment lung tissue is destroyed. Roberto was transported from Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. to Duke 10 days ago in critical condition, unable to maintain oxygen levels. At the last minute Medicaid approved his application, at the last minute he was placed on the lung transplant list and less than 12 hours later lungs were harvested and transplanted earlier this week. Roberto is now living on "borrowed" time as he would have surely succumbed by now without the transplant. His eventual and uncertain recovery will be long and tenuous. I wonder how Roberto will choose to live his "second chance"? I wonder how he will approach everyday life? How he will treat his loved ones and his fellow man? I was reminded again how short and precious life is. I also met a host of unselfish and kind people at Duke which will be our "home away from home" for many months to come. They understand that life is short and kindness should be our state of "ATTITUDE". See his site at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/robertlobo