I have come upon this site whilst searching for post transplant information and am so moved by these Christmas posts. I want to tell you a little about our Christmas story, to give some hope maybe.
My husband has IPF and probably had 2-3 months left when our whirlwind Christmas took off when on Fri 21st he was finally listed for single lung Tx, his only chance. We thought that was the best present we could receive but less than 48 hours later on Sunday he received it! Then, less than 48 hours after that, he was transferred to the specialist ward and is doing really well.
We were so stunned to receive the call so quickly we thought it was a practice run. After a day of waiting and wondering was it suitable or not, the wheelchair arrived and off he went to surgery with just enough time to hug and kiss goodbye and say we would see each other soon.
I am still rather dazed, and touch all the wood I see, all the time. Being a risk averse person this has been way outside my comfort zone and my optimism is constantly tempered by caution. We know this will be a dangerous and rocky road but it was all we had, and the leap of faith had to be taken.
A Christmas miracle for us.
Good luck to you all xxxx
Written by
bigjo
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Thank you for sharing your story, and I sincerely hope that all goes well and your husband gets the benefit from his new lung for many years to come. XXX
WOW, This is Great News, I Must ask Questions as I have been on the list for 2 years & 6 Months at QE, Birmingham. How old is your Husband Please ? Why a Single Lung Transplant? I have never read of a Transplant happening so Quickly after going on the List. You see, I am , every day trying to Find out Why! I havn't had 1 call and I am now probably passed the cut off age just had my 67th Birthday. I Have maintained my Physical ability so, therefore they keep me on the List, I know I am Bypassed re Age. Sorry for all the Questions. This is for you, & Your Hubby, the Best Christmas Present ever. As you Rejoice whilst still Dazed, I am so happy for you , Hubby & Family. My Very Best Wishes to you and Yours, this Christmas Time, All the very Best as the New Year starts next week. Love n Gentle Hugs. Carolina XXXXX
It beggars belief that we don't have an opt out system in England. Myself & entire family, kids as well are on the donor list. If there's an age limit that's so unfair, surely not? There are so many people in 70s 80s & 90s still making a great contribution to the world. I do hope you get a call soon. P x
I think for bigjo 's husband as she mentioned, he had two or three months left so he must have been elevated right to the top as very urgent. He was probably also very fortunate to have had a good match. It's very complicated as to who gets lungs and when. So, in Japan, they never disclose a single thing about where someone may be in the list. I know that the acute shortage of organs in Japan is the cause of most people having just a single lung transplant, could be similar in the U.K. xx 😘
Hmmm... well, he's extremely lucky then. I'm very happy for you. On our list, people who are very poorly will get bumped up. And those who can wait a bit longer are not as prioritized. xx 😊
Many, many, congratulations! What a wonderful Christmas story and what a bright future you have ahead of you both. 😃
Wow, that’s fantastic, what a wonderful Christmas present, that must be the best ever ! so glad to hear that everything went well and he’s certainly on the way to a much better future than you ever dared to dream of. Wishing you and your family all the best for 2019. Please take care of yourself as well and let us know how you’re doing. 💖XXX
This is truly a blessing for you all, what a wonderful surprise. I really hope your dear husband goes from strength to strength. 😊Lots of love Bernadette xxxx
That is fantastic news! Sending you best wishes for a smooth and trouble free recovery for your husband and for a great post-transplant life together!!
PS. To the right you should see a list called Related Posts (or scroll down if using a mobile phone). There you may find some useful information re post transplant health. Or write post transplant in the search bar top right.
There are over 37,000 members with just a few transplant patients so old posts with their replies are always helpful in the holidays. All the best, P
Hello bigjo and many congratulations on your husband's successful surgery. I am waiting for a single lung transplant in Japan. I have been listed for almost twenty months. I am part of a transplant group on Facebook. I can give you the details of you'd like. I must say that sometimes the posts can be harrowing and frightening, so maybe you may not want to be reading those at the moment. However, it is a good place to get information and talk to many who have first-hand experience. xx 😊👍
Good Morning my Dear Transplant Buddy. As you Know, I too am on a Hospital Transplant Web Site, it is My own Hospital. There is many a Tear from me as This is where I meet my Lung Trx Friends and get to know them although some are Virtual Friends, same as we are on this Forum. I see them getting their calls, then I "Follow" their Progress. At My Last Appointment I met a Young Lass, I knew she had CF, as her age indicated this, Since she was 3 years old, now 24. Very Young but frail. She had travelled a long way and stayed in a Hotel. I do hope She gets her Call very Soon. The stories are never ending, some happy, some so Sad, it Breaks me up. Hence why I told you of my thinking towards "Coming Off" The List. You make sure you Stay Well & Strong to receive your Transplant my Love. Always thinking of you my Buddy. Love and Big Hugs. XXXXX
Hi bigjo, it gladdens my heart to hear this good news. I hope your hubby has a speedy recovery and feels the benefit of his miracle gift so that he may lead a full and happy life. Irene x
Hi and welcome to the site. What absolutely amazing news you have just shared with us. It brought a tear to my eye as I read your story. My husband also has IPF so I totally sympathize with you. I hope your husband goes from strength to strength and his new lung brings him many more happy healthy days. It truly is a Christmas miracle and was meant to be, everything happens for a reason and your husband was meant to get his transplant. Good wishes for 2019 please keep us posted on his progress. 💕
Thank you. He is doing really well. We know this can change but each day is a blessing. We are seeing and hearing a lot of sad stories whilst in the hospital and it brings home how lucky we are.
How nice bigjo to read a post full of hope. I wish like others your husband a speedy recovery. One thing is for sure, 2019 for you won't be about Brexit, it will be about that start of a new life together and my best wishes to to both,
That was wonderful to read and although I am too old for any type of operation, your story has warmed my heart and lifted my spirit. I hope the New Year brings you both much happiness and long may it continue to do so.
Wow, fantastic news for your husband and your family, you are all so lucky. All the best in his recovery and heres to 2019 for you all. I have been on the transplant list for 1 year now after being diagnosed with IPF in 2016. I have had one false call so far in Oct 2018. The transplant did not go ahead due to an issue with the donor lungs, which we only found out just prior to going into theatre. My wife found this really hard to deal with but you can't give up. I am 50 years old in May 2019 so got to look on the bright side, even if every day is getting tougher, I'm still here fighting away.
Oh my what a whirl wind indeed. May 2019 be a steadily improving one health wise. Wishing u both all the strength and positivity u need to get u out the other side!
Hi just wanted to drop a note to say thanks for sharing your uplifting experience and well done to you and your husband for braving through the last week, i can imagine it was a rollercoaster of emotions, wish for him to have swift recovery !
My goodness bigjo what a whirlwind few weeks! Cannot believe just how quick your husband received his transplant - barely enough time to get your head round the idea. I hope he is continuing to do well in his recovery. I'm on the transplant list but won't be a priority hopefully for a few years yet. However, hearing positive stories always provides hope for when the time comes. Got everything crossed.
Thanks dodgy, It was indeed a crazy time but he only had a few months left and so we were so relieved it came quickly. He was ready to do battle; as he said he would rather "die fighting". He is now 9 days post op and we are getting our heads around the myriad of 'meds for life'. He's in good spirits and feels so lucky and grateful for this second chance. Good luck to you Dodgy and keep the faith xx
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