Living two lives is a blessing.  Living that second life with someone else’s lungs is a true miracle.

 

My first life was spent fighting to live with cystic fibrosis.  I was told I wouldn’t live as long as everyone else.  In order to keep living, I had to do 3-4 hours of therapy a day to keep my lungs clear of the thick, sticky mucus as well as fight the constant infections.  

 

And the pills.  It is so hard as a child to take so many pills. Every. Single. Day.  None of my friends nor classmates had to take pills or do therapy.  It was my life, not theirs.

 

When the therapy could not keep up with keeping the lungs clear, infection would set in. It was time to spend two weeks in the hospital for IV antibiotics.  As I got older into my 20’s, these visits became more frequent, going from every other year, to annual, to 2-3 times a year.  Making long-term plans was out of the question. 

 

Over time, due to all of the lung infections, my lung function slowly declined and hospitalizations became more frequent.  I’m now at 30% lung capacity, but still able to work.  Lung transplant has become an option (first successful double lung transplant was done in 1986).  The year is 1996.  I am listed for a double lung transplant (both lungs because of the chronic infection with CF) and the wait begins.

 

In 1998 I am no longer able to work.  The wait continues.  September 30, 2000 with only 25% lung capacity remaining, my second life begins.

 

I have been given the ultimate gift…Two New Lungs.  After 30 days of hospitalization and rehab combined, I am home.  Working on gaining my strength and weight back.  You would not believe how many calories one burns just working to breathe!

 

Today, 22+ years later, I am still going strong, still working full time in Respiratory Therapy.

 

In 2020, to honor my donor and celebrate 20 years, I started a non-profit  Live On to help give back. 

 

Live On is my way to help others add years to their lives.  All money raised goes to Gift of Life Michigan (GOLM) and local people in need of a transplant.  We have sold pickled Michigan asparagus and have had a live and silent auction.  The first year we were able to have events, we gave $6,000 to each GOLM and CFF.  I also help educate and promote the importance of being an organ donor by giving talks and local schools.

 

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