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TLC Families
BP's House is the heart of the transplant support process. These condos provide safe, clean, convenient, affordable places to recover for the three months post-transplant, and for other more short-term visits. Pictures of our units are located under "BP's House" tab on our website, www.thelungconnection.org.
Bill Phillips atop a "Fourteener" in Colorado
BP's House is named in honor of William J. Phillips, TLC's friend and benefactor. BP passed away in May of 2005 waiting for a new lung. His son, Bill Phillips made buying the new condos possible.
When patients are first listed, they and their families have already suffered a great deal. Here both patients and caregivers find a safe place for addressing these issues; they find they are not alone, and seemingly insurmountable problems can be solved. Guilt, exhaustion, pain, fear, financial worries and emotional ups and downs are all issues shared openly.
Nancy D. (left) and sister Linda S.
On January 2005 our first official TLC Residents moved into the TLC living quarters at the "Pinnacle at Mountain Gate" apartment complex in Littleton, Colorado. Pictured here on the left is Nancy D. from Effingham, KS, who received her new lung on January 14, 2005. Next to her is her sister, Linda S., who came from Florida to be Nancy's caregiver. Nancy had been staying at a small hotel alone for the months she waited for a lung to become available, but when she was released from the hospital, she was able to come home to our 2 bed 2 bath apartment with all the conveniences of home. Many volunteers participated in making everything ready for her.
Carol K. (right) and daughter
Dear Susan:
I've thanked you many times for all that you and The Lung Connection have done, but that seems such an inadequate way of expressing the depth of my gratitude. So let me try to explain why TLC is so important to me.
During the two years that I waited for my lung transplant, one of my primary concerns was where my caregiver and I were going to stay while I was recovering from surgery. I made numerous trips to Denver, trying to find lodging. The only accommodations available were in hotels and motels, which were inadequate, cramped, and expensive. I couldn't imagine spending three months in these places or how I would pay for it. Luckily, a friend of mine told me about The Lung Connection shortly before my surgery.
Due to space limitations at TLC, my caregiver and I spent the first ten days after transplant in a motel. I wish I could express how cramped, uncomfortable, and dismal it was trying to recover in such a place. When an apartment opened up at TLC and we moved in, I was so relieved and happy to finally have a safe and comfortable "home" that I actually cried. I can't tell you what a difference it made to have a kitchen and dining room, separate bedrooms and baths, and a clean space for my IV drip and dressing changes. In addition, I had the benefit of your caring help and you own transplant experience. As if all that weren't enough, TLC allowed me to pay what I could afford, which was half your usual rate.
Almost three years have passed since my transplant and you have been there for me countless times, providing a home, friendship, and whatever help I need, whether it's driving me home from the hospital, making sure I have groceries, or just offering a cold soda after the long drive from Grand Junction.
I wish I could also thank the generous people who support TLC financially. Without their help, I could never pay for the wonderful home and care that I get at TLC.
There really aren't words to say what you and The Lung Connection have meant to me. I only wish you could see inside my heart.
Again, thank you,
Carol K.
Candido A.
My father, Candido A., is a 57 year old liver transplant patient at the University of Colorado. His story begins in 1978 when he contracted Hepatitis C through a blood transfusion at age 26. Our family is from Albuquerque, New Mexico and has had to temporarily relocate to Aurora, Colorado in order for my dad to have a second chance at life.
Our experience with The Lung Connection has been incredible. The condos come complete with all the basic necessities for an extended stay. The transplant process places a great deal of physical and emotional strain on the patient and the family. The last thing that any family wants to do while their loved one is in is critical condition is to worry about having to purchase various items for their lodging conditions. Having this done for you prior to your arrival is essential to the overall well-being of transplant patient and their families.
It has been such a blessing to our family that the Lung Connection has provided us with a place to stay. Not only is it comfortable and well furnished but it also provides us with enough space for family members to stay while they are visiting. After being on a 14-24 hour shift at the hospital, it is very comforting to know that you are able to rest in the comfort of 'home' instead of a hotel room.
While my dad has been in Colorado, he has had numerous complications. Since July 14, 2009, my father has had two liver transplants and three additional surgeries. During the short time, between transplants, my dad was able to leave the hospital and stay in the home-like atmosphere of the condo provided by the Lung Connection. My dad fell in love with the place. After being confined to his hospital room day after day, he was ecstatic to proceed with his recovery in the comfort of home. Even though he could not walk very far, he appreciated the fact that he could sit outside on the patio and enjoy the smell of rain and the cool breeze from the fresh air at dusk. He also expressed his appreciation in regards to being able to sit and eat dinner at the dinner table.
The Lung Connection deserves to be recognized for their commitment to families of transplant recipients. This organization provides families who are non-residents of Colorado with a sense of hope, stability and comfort during a time of tremendous stress and uncertainty.
John T. (right) and wife Nancy
John T. writes "My wife Nancy and I were fortunate enough to be able to stay at one of the condos made available through The Lung Connection and the dynamo that makes it possible, Susan Hamelin. I'm not sure how I would have recuperated as well without her wonderful assistance." "The Lung Connection meant the world to us in Denver. It gave me such peace of mind to know that Nancy was in a safe, comfortable place while I was laid up, and the condo greatly enhanced my recovery once out of the hospital. Thanks for all you do."
Vicki B. (right) and husband Gary
"My name is Vicki B. My husband of 45 years, and excellent caregiver, is Gary.
While in Denver for Transplant Evaluation, we picked up a brochure for The Lung Connection at the hospital. We went there and met with Susan Hamelin at that time. She was so friendly and graciously showed us the condo's owned by TLC. We knew instantly this could easily be our home away from home for what we thought would be three months. On the evening of December 31, 2007 the call came from University Hospital in Denver. They had a right lung available for me after 14 months on the waiting list. We were life flighted from Sheridan, Wyoming that night and by 1:00 p.m. on New Years Day I was out of surgery and had my new lung. What a way to start the New Year! I had a couple of what they call "bumps in the road", and our stay stretched into five months. We were so fortunate at the time the call came there was room for us at TLC.
Susan was, and is, a real source of encouragement and knowledge, having been there herself. Both she and her daughter, Kimberly, are so supportive and eager to help with questions you may have.
During recovery, I can't imagine having spent that five months any place other than The Lung Connection. It truly is "A Place To Catch Your Breath". Thanks Susan, for all you do."
John D. (right) and wife Linda
John D. and wife, Linda live in Helena, MT, about 800 miles from Denver. When he got on the transplant list, John immediately called The Lung Connection, and moved in to wait for his lung. After his transplant on Aug. 19, 2007, he was finally well enough to go home on Dec. 14, 2007. They write "Susan and Kimberly have been so helpful and supportive. They have been there for us through all our 'bumps in the road'. Thanks TLC!"
Robin S. (left) and husband Jason
Robin S. and husband Jason from Farmington, NM tell a Channel 8 reporter "Trying to find a place (to stay close to the hospital) that would work with us financially, and that would really be supportive in the areas that we need, it's been extremely helpful. Extremely. It took a huge burden off of us finding somewhere to stay." Robin, who has Cystic Fibrosis, Jason and son, Christopher stayed in a TLC unit for 10 months. She was sent via air ambulance to Stanford, CA, where she got her new lungs.
Katie A. (right) and father Stan
Katie A., pictured here with her father, Stan, got 2 new lungs on August 8th, 2007. Stan writes "My family had to move to Denver in January of 2007 to wait for my daughter's transplant. We had nowhere to stay, and could not afford to rent. The Lung Connection came to our rescue. They gave us somewhere to live and ... helped us with food, fundraising and everything else that came along. I found work, but still needed assistance." "The Lung Connection will always be in our prayers and thoughts because without them, myself and my family would not have been able to be close to the hospital for my daughter's transplant" Katie and her family finally got to go home November 24, 2007.
Clay B. (right) and mother
"Dear Lung Connection Team,
I truly have been blessed with another chance at life with my double lung transplant. I was down to 20% breathing capacity on my tests and declining. Allow me to attempt to express my gratitude for your overwhelming help in my situation. Despite saving as much money as possible for the needed transplant and lodging, I was well short of the needed amount and was not sure what to do. There were times when I just wanted to throw in the towel due to these and other problems. My salvation came when another former resident told me about your wonderful program and after receiving the call for a double lung transplant, it became a reality. There is no way that I could have done this without the help of the Lung Connection especially after going 6 months without income after being forced to quit my job due to the cystic fibrosis destroying my body. I and my mother are so thankful for your and the financial donor's caring attitudes and willingness to help people like myself in these situations. I plan on returning these great deeds by doing charity work once my body has fully healed. It is a rough road ahead certainly, but it now appears manageable now that I received this needed lodging assistance. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and will spread the word of your agencies kindness and devotion to helping others. Have a great day!!!"
Sincerely,
Clay B.
Kathy B (right) & daughter Emily
Kathy B. (May 25, 2005) and one of her many caregivers, daughter Emily, were the second residents in TLC #1. Kathy is a retired school Counselor from Albuquerque, NM. She and her friends added wonderful touches to the apartments to make them more cheerful and homey.
Judy B. (left) and husband Sam
"There ARE angels among us. I know because I had a lot of them before, during and after my transplant. They knew what I needed every step of the way. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks and then was able to go directly from the hospital to The Lung Connection apartment. This organization was founded by a wonderful woman (one of my angels) by the name of Susan Hamelin. Susan was also a Transplant patient, so she knew how important it was to have a place to live during a recovery period. My husband Sam and I spent nearly 5 months in one of TLC's beautiful apartments. Our unit had two bedrooms, two baths (1 for the patient, 1 for the caretaker) a kitchen, dining and living room. Everything was furnished including the bedding, washer & dryer, etc. We had this beautiful place while other out of towners were sharing bathrooms and kitchens with many other patients and caretakers. Susan is a great friend and a delight to be around. I had my lung transplant on July 1, 2005 and I am doing just fine. I plan on being around now for my young grandchildren's weddings. A positive attitude is one of the main things my angel's helped me to keep and is so important through this whole process. May God be with you!"
- Judy M.
Bob R. (center) and daughters
Bob received his lung transplant on June 13, 2005. Today, he is back at work in Pueblo and doing well. When Bob comes to town for clinic or for medication, he does all our "handyman" work.
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