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Gaining Quality of Life

I, Ann, am 10.5 months out from my bilateral lung transplant. My days with oxygen attached to me are gone! I am truly blessed for the gift of organ donation. Once I reach 1 year (July 4, 2025), I am to the point of having less of a chance of rejection. It will always be a risk, but less after the first year.

Updates (20)

April 4, 2025

Tomorrow, April 4th, will be my nine month lungversary. I have come a long way, but a long way to go. I have had a few setbacks over the last couple months. My sternum is still not fused together, so my activities are limited (no more walking Honor by myself). I did, however, get the OK to join my fitness club again and use the pool as rehab. I recently took another trip to Florida with my family. Drive was 24 hours each way. Just short of our departure, I had my scheduled bronchoscopy. It was a horrible experience! I woke up during the procedure, was gagging and trying breathe. Not good! Two days later, I got a call saying they found a nodule on my left vocal chord, but not to worry. I was able to see an ENT after our return and thankfully, the doctor said it is benign, not to worry, no further action was needed! What great news!! Today I had Moh's surgery to remove some skin cancer from my left cheek. The procedure went well. One cut and they got it all, leaving me with about a 1" cut on my face. That too is great news!! In my teens, as a outdoor lifeguard, we always wore oil without any SPF! Now I am not shy to remind people to wear sunscreen. I'm a broken record to my kids and husband. I'm proud of what I call my "firsts" over the last nine months. The BIG one was getting off of oxygen. I fully understand that I will have some setbacks, but I keep it positive. These setbacks are minor compared to 9 moths ago. I move slower and have adapted some things, but who cares??? I'm happy with my progress. I figure that I should not worry about things until my team worries. Then we work together on a solution.

February 6, 2025

Yesterday was my 7th month since receiving my new lungs. I feel blessed that I was chosen to receive my best and biggest donation - LUNGS. Each month, on the fourth, I take time to think about the trauma the my body endured to live longer. I am feeling well, but my sternum still. hasn't fused together. I will have a CT scan tomorrow (2-7-2025). I have made a commitment to the post transplant routine. Yes, it takes time out of my day, but very well worth it. I just returned from a trip to Florida with a good friend of mine. We drove there and back. The first week was cold and rainy, but the second week was beautiful! All of the donations made so far, are going to be used up to compensate for hotel stays in Madison, some medications, and travel. With this said, I certainly welcome any donations. I take one medication that costs $8,000 a month. I am on a transplant assistance program, but I was informed today that will end in September and my insurance will not cover the cost. I will reapply for the assistance program again, but there are no promises that I will be accepted.Im looking forward to warm weather, flowers blooming, and being able to go for walks with my dog, Honor. I have to wait for my sternum to heal.

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Guestbook

May 20, 2025

Hugs to you Ann.

Marnie Sullivan

August 5, 2024

Hi Ann, congratulation on your new lungs. My prayers are with you as until you have lung issues you do not realize when you cant breathe nothing else matters.
I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Fibrosis in Nov. 2022 tested for double lung transplants in Chicago but, was told they were not able to deal with current heart issues. I was sent to Cleveland Clinic who could better handle both issues. Then before I could get there Dec 2023 I had a merkle cell carcinoma removed from my finger. As its a skin cancer I have to be cancer free for 2 years...so at 74 years old im not sure that will be possible. It makes me happy to see others fighting the good fight and as they say Keep Hope Alive..Best wishes and my prayers to you for a good revovery.

Mike Lessner

July 12, 2024

We are very glad to hear that you are doing so well. We wish you all the best. Jeannie and Arthur Waldman

Jeannie and Arthur Waldman