Support Tami’s Lung Transplant Journey

My name is Kristie Powers and as some of you may know my mom, Tami Webb, was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in April of 2023. More than likely the disease started at least a year prior to her diagnosis. There is a 3-5 year life expectancy for IPF. There are new treatments but they offer no cure. After consulting with her Pulmonologist at UC in Cincinnati it was decided a transplant was the better choice. That was when we were sent to Ohio State Wexner where we spent the last 6 months going back and forth from home in Cincinnati to Ohio State University in Columbus for tests, evaluations, counseling, and procedures so that mom could be considered for a transplant. We received an early Christmas present on 12-23-24 when she was approved to be added to the National Lung Transplant waiting list for a double lung transplant. We feel blessed for this opportunity and grateful to God that He has brought us down this path.

This has been and will continue to be difficult mentally, physically, and financially. Over the past 2 years mom has accrued a lot of medical costs and well as a significant loss of income, all of which will continue over the next several months or possibly years as we move forward with the transplant process. There is also the added cost of housing as we will be required to relocate to Columbus Ohio for a minimum of two months after her surgery.

A lung transplant is our greatest hope, but will not be the end of mom’s medical problems as she will continue to battle medical challenges for the rest of her life while also being on multiple anti rejection and prophylactic medications.

My mom loves her grandson Jack, family and friends and her job as an interior designer. While this is not the life she was prepared for she is determined to give as much as she can to her family and stay as active as possible with her job. She spends three days a week at UC Pulmonary rehab to strengthen her body for the surgery and recovery. She is now on oxygen 24/7 and although life has its challenges Mom will tell you her faith has been essential through everything. She fully relies on God’s strength and guidance and believes that He will handle all situations even if we don’t always fully understand them.

We appreciate any and all help from our friends and family as we navigate the future God has planned for us. On behalf of my mom, myself, my husband Matt, sister Stephanie, and brother-in-law Tom thank you so very much.