Yesterday, I shared the letter I received from Angela, the mother of my donor, Samantha. Today, I share my reply to her. Although I planned to mail a handwritten letter after I received Angela's letter, I decided to reply that same day via email. My letter to Angela:

“Angela -

I've imagined writing this letter to you ever since I woke up and found out I had been transplanted. I've been curious about who my donor was, the type of person they were and their interests. I've thought of what I would say and the words I would use to thank them and their family because a simple “Thank You” is not enough. I've had my letter drafted, prepared to send after the 4th of July holiday, when I received yours. I had always wondered if I would hear back from my donor's family. One of my biggest fears about writing is that I wouldn't receive a reply but decided I had to write because they needed to know how their loved one saved me and how grateful I am.

Thank you for telling me about Samantha, I can only imagine how lovely of a girl she was.

Samantha saved my life on June 21, 2016. I received both of her lungs.

I'm 25 years old and was born with a genetic disease called cystic fibrosis that causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, causing frequent lung infections. These infections scar the lungs and cause a decline in lung function. I have lived my life as normal as possible despite my disease … attending college, having fun with friends and starting a career. There have been plenty of large speed bumps along the way, but I just moved over them and kept going. I knew transplant was going to be in my future, but was not expecting it for a few more years.

My lungs took a rapid and unexpected turn for the worse in June 2016. I was placed in a medically induced coma on June 13, 2016 with the hope my lungs could rest and work again on their own. I made the doctor promise me that I would wake up again. My lungs completely failed me days later and I was placed on an external heart and lung machine (ECMO), doing all the work for my lungs. My doctors decided the only hope that I would ever wake up again was a transplant. And so, with the help of my parents and older brother, they listed me for a double-lung transplant. Without Samantha's lungs, multiple nurses told me, I would not have made it another night. I was very very sick.

I won't say this last year has been perfect, I was in the hospital for 4.5 months after my transplant and I had to build up the strength to do everyday life things again like walk and hold a fork to eat. But, I have made such great strides and am going to the gym regularly, something I despised before transplant because I would become out of breath. I am back at work part-time after 11 months off -- it is such a great feeling to be contributing to something. I am hanging out with my family and friends who mean so much to me. I have travel plans for this year to visit my brother, Byron, in Boston and my aunt in Colorado. I enjoy doing art and have a new-found interest in taking pictures/videos on my GoPro and creating movies. I have Samantha to thank for this. I want you to know that my body is accepting Samantha's lungs and I have not had any signs of rejection. Her lungs continue to breathe for me.

A day hasn't gone by where I haven't thought about my donor and their family. Now, I finally have a name. I know every day I have here is because of Samantha. I will know that for the rest of my days. I call her my angel looking over me every day.

I want you to know the type of person I am. I could sit here and write what I think of myself, but I wanted you to know from an outside perspective. So, I've asked a couple of my closest friends to write honestly about me. Here is what they said:

“Jackie makes LOVING life look effortless -- because for her, it really is. She's a person who has a true lust for life and all the adventures it brings. She's the person who won't give up when there are obstacles in her way or the odds are against her. She's the person who will, despite everything, find something, some reason to love life and honestly, she's contagious in that way.”

“Jackie's thirst for life is far greater than anyone I've ever known. In the midst of her constant hardships with CF, her optimism shines through as she continues to feel immensely grateful for all of life's gifts. Having had the experience to attend a best friend's reunion vacation with Jackie recently brought an insane surprise amount of joy to all of us. The miracle that she is with us today is one we are forever thankful for. I can't wait to see what life accomplishments are in store for Jackie. She is an absolute warrior, and her strength is inspiring to all. The quote 'keep on keeping on' is one she lives by. And, she does so with a huge heart, and a smile on her face.”

“I met Jackie when I was 12 years old when she was randomly assigned to my soccer team. At first, I thought, 'who is this wild child?' She had so much energy it was almost annoying. I remember the day we became friends. We were hosting a soccer party at my house and all the girls on the team were downstairs -- while the parents were upstairs -- with the exception of Jackie. It felt wrong, so I went upstairs to talk to her and started a friendship that grew into family. Jackie is my only friend brave enough to tell me like it is and kind enough to want the best for me the same way my parents do. She will tell me if a boyfriend is no good, demand I ask for a raise at work because she knows my worth, and refuses to ever let me settle. People like Jackie help the ordinary see all the extra out there in the world. She has taught me to value myself and live every day to the fullest. She may be a control freak, but it's only because she knows exactly what she wants out of life and isn't afraid to go after it.”

I am happy that you wrote you would like to meet, because I also would like to meet you and your family. I want to hear more stories about Samantha and what she liked to do, her big heart, and what seemed like an amazingly kind soul. I am going to ask that they release my personal email address to you so we can continue to communicate that way. Thank you so much for writing, Angela.

Sincerely,
Jackie"

Tomorrow, I will share with you my personal experience meeting Samantha's family for the first time.