The mention of lung transplant made her think he had lost his marbles. The insistence of wearing oxygen 24/7 drove her home in tears. She taught her high school English and debate classes with her O2 in tow for one semester. It may have gotten her out of parking lot duty, but it didn’t get her through the day. She has since had to “retire” from her beloved career at the age of 37, but now has hopes of returning to the classroom in some capacity at some point.

With one false alarm, her wait for two lungs lasted a little over six months. During this excruciating time, she rejoiced in her marriage to a man who has the patience and understanding of a saint; the great fortune of being joined with a soul lung-sister who has become her closest and dearest friend; and was comforted by the community support of her little Texas town and school district.

For Angela, this experience has become the greatest of hardships and confirmations. It has affirmed her faith that God does indeed have a hand here on earth, and that she is constantly surrounded by the priceless generosity and selfless capabilities of her dear family and friends.

The process from discovery to recovery took one year. She is still amazed by the blessed luck and skill involved in her metamorphosis-like transformation.

Angela's new family who works at University Hospital is made up of an incredibly diverse and talented bunch of loving people who tirelessly lend their lives to their transplant patients, on a daily basis. There is no greater confidence than knowing her life-saving team is also her life-support system.

Angela emphasizes, "It is difficult to fully describe the feeling of carrying a “Gift” of Life, because it is the gift that is carrying me."

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