Can you imagine how hard it would be to live a life where every breath is an effort? Now Jennifer doesn’t have to know that feeling, this is her first breath after lung transplant.
Jennifer was born with a genetic condition called Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that makes mucus build up in the lungs making it incredibly difficult to breathe. Jennifer sadly spent her life coughing, wheezing and fighting lung infection after lung infection. She can’t remember a day when she was able to do something we all take for granted, take a deep breath. It is heartbreaking to think that something I do all day every day is a luxury to some.
Well all of that changed when Jennifer finally got the call that would change and save her life, There were lungs available for her. She was finally getting a lung transplant. After the difficult and risky surgery was over and Jennifer was sable, it was time to take out her breathing tube. With doctors and nurses at the ready, surrounded by friends and family, they took out her breathing tube. You can tell Jennifer is still woozy and nervous to take her first breath with new lungs. But as she inhales her eyes light up like a child at Christmas. The look in her eyes brought tears to mine. She is stunned to see what it feels like to simply breathe with no extra work.
It is truly amazing watching her hand rise and fall with her chest as if she can’t believe she is really doing it. She is so truly excited. It is a joy like I’ve never seen before and I’m so grateful someone caught it on camera. The best part of all is that Jennifer is doing really well after her transplant. In fact, just five days after her surgery Jennifer was walking about the hospital halls practicing for her upcoming wedding to her fiancé Rob.
It is so wonderful to know that Jennifer is on the way to recovery. And this moment is such a powerful reminder of what a difference organ donation can make!
Credit: Humankind
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