https://www.angelfire.com/journal2/lungtransplant/index.html
nwatson@discoveret.org
A little history----
On 11-18-1992 my lungs stopped working right. I had worked the second shift when I started getting a headache like I had never experienced before. I called my doctor, he saw me and put me into the hospital. I came home a week later on oxygen 24/7 and diagnosed with Emphysema/COPD. I had killed my lungs with my jobs making a living. I had worked in a sewing factory for almost 10 years with the dust and chemicals in the material, almost 10 years running my own company painting and cleaning houses, and almost 14 years as assistant manager of a convenient store/fuel center with all the gas and diesel fumes. And I had been a smoker. That stopped as soon as I was admitted to the hospital.
In 1994 I had a transtracheal system called scoop 2 installed to take oxygen directly to the lungs. In 1995 I had a lung reduction surgery. The last 3 years that I was on oxygen, I was home bound. I only went to the doctor or hospital. If I went anymore the children would have to load and haul me and the oxygen as I didn’t have strength enough to do it for myself. And I had gotten to the point that I did not feel safe driving any more. My church was the Sunday morning service on TV.
To fill my time, I did crafts, read, and I applied to a group called KORRnet that furnished computers to home bound people and received a computer. That was when I learned about the Secondwind Support website. I joined and learned a lot about what was going on with my lungs and what was ahead for me with transplant at this website. They are one of the best support groups around.
I am a very independent person and it was the hardest thing that I have ever done to say “I need help”. I learned new ways to do the simplest things that I had done my whole life. It would take me 2 hours to take a daily shower sitting on a stool, wash a little, rinse, breathe, and wash a little more.
My daughter did all my grocery shopping. She brought me a lot of prepared foods that I could heat in the microwave. I had a lady that came in to do the heavy cleaning. And with all this help, I was able to stay in my own home.
Let me say here that I am from a big loving family. I was the oldest of 5 and my mother and father were still living when I went on oxygen. In June,2000 I lost my father, in March, 2001 I lost my sister (she was 4 years younger than me), and in June , 2001 I lost my mother. It was hard for me to accept with me being the one on oxygen. I have a sister, 2 brothers, 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren (the 6th and 7th being born after my transplant) along with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins. I had a lot of family, friends, and neighbors for support when I was advised to get evaluated for lung transplant.
On 10-21-25-2002, I had the evaluation for transplant at Vanderbilt Transplant Clinic in Nashville, TN. I had tests of all kinds and everything was checking out good enough to withstand the transplant surgery. If my lungs had been as good as the rest of my organs I would not have needed the transplant. I was listed on 11-12-2002 for a one lung transplant.
I had my first dry run on 12-19-2002, and the second one on 2-23-2003, the lungs were not viable. I was transplanted on 4-26-2003 with a right lung. The Learning Channel was at Vanderbilt filming the “Resident Life” series and they filmed and broadcast my transplant. It was great being able to see my old lung (mostly black in color) and then the new one turn that beautiful shade of pink when the air was put to it. There was some leaking from the trachea when they removed the transtracheal system and I had to get stitches to close it as it would not close itself. I was out of the hospital to the apartment on 5-10. I came out of the hospital on no oxygen, breathing on my own, holding oxygen saturation of 95% and better. I couldn’t wait till I got home to call the oxygen supply people to “come get these tanks”. I had to stay close to the Clinic for the tests and rehab. At first I had a mild rejection which is common. After the prednisone burst, the rejection was gone and so far I have not had it return. I have done really well with the transplant, so good that I got to come home a couple weeks early. I came back home on 7-15-2003.
When they finally said I could drive again, my first trip was to church on Sunday morning. I thank God everyday for giving the doctors the knowledge to do this life saving transplant, my donor family the desire to donate, and me the willingness to accept this great gift and the desire to honor my donor’s memory. It is beyond my understanding why one person lives, and another passes. But I have faith in God's perfect plan, and I agree; "Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God's world by mistake". I have faith that there is a reason. Please pray for me to see the plan that God is wanting fulfilled. Maybe it is just to let everyone know that transplants work to save lives. Maybe it is just to give my testimony before you. I feel that without all the prayers that went up for my successful surgery and recovery, I could not have done as well as I have. I am living proof that transplants work. God has been so good to me.
Please consider signing a donor card. And when you sign the card, be sure to talk it over with your family to let them know what you want. “Greater Love No Man Hath, Than He Lay Down His life...." I read these words as I pray to be worthy. It is appropriate that the Organ Donor Network uses this verse; it is so true... no greater love, indeed.
Thank you for visiting my site and come back often, and please continue to pray for my family and me as I continue to honor God by living and enjoying this great life that He has given to me.
