LUNG TRANSPLANTATION SURVIVAL RATE

Mornin' everyone...thought my reply to a member on another site may be of some use to anyone waiting for a transplant.....G'day Mxxxxxxx..sensible reply to Pxxxx'S post...intrigued about your comments re...the survival rate after 1 year. My wife had a bilateral Tx in July last year, aged 65. We reside in Melbourne Australia...In 2015.. 82 Tx's with 81 surviving...in 2016 101 with 99 still with us...Transplants are becoming more frequent due to the number of donors increasing...and there is no doubt that the surgeons skills in performing the op are likewise..the average time for the surgery was 7 hours...now down to 4. You are correct, age is not the main criteria..it is the patients ability to survive the operation, and the main factor is fitness...just like the old adage...would you line up to run a marathon with 1 weeks training under your belt ? Also a healthy diet plays a major part. My wife was in hospital for 17 days post surgery...now we visit the hospital every 8 weeks , attend clinic, check bloods. Sure she takes 28 tablets per day and is diabetic, due to the meds, albeit short term, hoping to be diabetic free in a few months...But what were the alternatives prior to the Tx ??I wish you well on your journey.

[JP1954]

Hi, fully agree with you regarding fitness. I belong to an over 50s fitness club (eldest member 87). A number of our members have had ops and survived.

The instructor has been trained in post cardiac exercises. He has three classes all dealing with levels of fitness and post op care. He is absolutely brilliant. His walking classes are great. We are lucky that we live in the country so we take our weights, walk exercise, walk, exercise etc etc. Wonderful. Fitness is everything, along with an attitude of mind. i would encourage everyone to do some sort of exercise, even if it means lifting hand weights whilst sitting.

Regards

JP

[Hidden in reply to JP1954]

Thank you..providing you have someone qualified and understands lung disease you are on thew right track...thanks for your input

[Hidden]

Thanks for sharing . it really is great to read something so positive .

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Glad you found it so.....there is light at the end of the tunnel....there is hope

[Ef0lumps4]

Thank You that's good to know I am sure many will take comfort from reading your post. 🙂👍🏻

[Hidden in reply to Ef0lumps4]

Thank you...I hope the message is understood...This beast of a disease can be beaten...your comments are much appreciated

[Magpuss]

I'm really impressed by that survival rate, it must be reassuring for those trying to decide whether to have the op. I was 72 when I had my op (not lung related) the given rate for those who survive the op was 15%, and for those who survive beyond 5yrs, 18% - I passed the 5yr mark in March this year so l consider myself truly blessed. If I'd been less fit than I was at the time, it could have been a very different story only I probably wouldn't be here to tell it. I'm halfway through my PR classes at the moment but when I've finished the course I fully intend to continue with regular exercise and am thinking of joining a gym. I guess Susan must feel blessed too, I do hope she manages to beat the diabetes xx

[Hidden]

Thanks for your message mate...Your story is one that needs to be shouted from the roof tops..So many have accepted defeat..but where there is life there is hope...too many believe that there is no life after T'x..so sad really...we only need to look at people like yourself and Susan and all the other transplantees who are alive today because of a loving caring family who gave them something precious at an awful time in their own lives. The loss of a loved one and the gift of live for up to seven other human beings. Please take care of yourself...GOD Bless