Joelma Redfern
Transplant Recipient - Organ
My name is Joelma Redfern, and I'm from Brazil but have been living in Maryland for more than 20 years. I'm coming up on nine years since my lung transplant which I received on July 26th, 2014. Before my transplant, I had suddenly become very sick while my kids were only four and six years old, and my husband David and I didn't know what was wrong with me. Turns out I had a lung disease called Lymphangioleiomyomatosis; while it was scary at first, I had more hope after looking into the diagnosis, and my husband and I knew there was a chance for me to survive if I could get a lung transplant .It was a long wait, but with God holding my hands I knew this would be possible. I had to learn to be patient and to just keep believing in each and every day; I knew I couldn't give up. After my lung transplant, I had ups and downs but these days I can see how much better I feel and how much my life has returned to normal. I'm very blessed that my donor said yes to donation, and I want encourage others waiting for their lifesaving transplant to not give up. Taking care of yourself is the best version of yourself. We are all in God hands, how we walk makes the difference.
Thank you for listening to my story, it means the most.
