“Der Mentsh Trakht Un Got Lakht” (people make plans and G-d laughs)

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“Der Mentsh Trakht Un Got Lakht” (people make plans and G-d laughs)

September 3, 2018 at 3:58 pm | Posted in Grief, Sawyer | 4 Comments
Tags: COPD, emphysema, Evan, hope, life, love

A very wise man, my grandfather, always used to say “mentsch tracht, Gott lacht.” For those of you (like me) who do not speak yiddish this means “men make plans and G-d laughs.” I have updated the saying just a little to “people make plans and G-d laughs.”

Evan is sick and he needs a double lung transplant (he never smoked, doctors do not know the cause but cannot stop the further deterioration of his lungs).

After Sawyer died we all had a bunch of tests.

Doctors always thought Evan had really bad asthma that just did not respond well to medicine.

It turns out not to be just (or really) asthma, at least not anymore. His lungs are deteriorating and it presents as COPD and emphysema. He never smoked and his sister has a rare lung disease that is female specific (Evan was tested and doesn’t have that particular disease).

We went to Denver Jewish and NIH in the hope to figure out what it is and to stop it. The doctors told us they could not figure out what it is or stop it. Eventually Evan’s only option would be the double lung transplant.

He was status quo for a bit and we were hopeful the transplant would not be until the twins were much older.

However, the last few years he has really declined and it has been tough. He needs to be listed for the double lung transplant now.

Evan has never wanted people to think of him as sick. So generally, he has kept this from people, and had me keep it secret as well. But now, there’s no longer a point in that. He has told his work (who have been great!) and we are now okay to tell everyone.

Because updating everyone can become exhausting and difficult, we’ve set up a CaringBridge site where we can post updates that everyone can sign up to access. It may be a bit less personal than calls and emails, but it’s more practical and realistic, especially as things move forward.

Caring Bridge

Please DO NOT feel obligated to donate to CaringBridge or anything. This is just to make communication easier. Also, I have been told that CaringBridge doesn’t do much with your signing up with them — an occasional email seeking support, but otherwise, your email address doesn’t go anywhere. So, I hope that’s okay.

We appreciate all the support, prayers and help everyone has always shown us. Thanks so much.

4 Comments »

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Thanks for sharing with all, Lanie. I think I speak for many that we all love you all and look forward to a day when Evan is feeling better!

Comment by Eden Pontz— September 3, 2018 #

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I will “see” you on Caring Bridge. My warmest, strongest wishes for you all!
Much love, Cornelia

Comment by Cornelia Levine— September 3, 2018 #

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Sending love your way!

Comment by Daphne— September 4, 2018 #

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Lanie, thank you so much for sharing this info. Please know that our family is praying for Evan, you, Fletcher and Alyssa. I am grateful that I will get email updates from Caring Bridge.

Comment by Kristen E Maas— September 5, 2018 #

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A Mourning Mom