Getting a double-lung transplant has been a life-changing journey. Along the way, I've had to deal with changes in my mental health and the struggle to keep my survivor guilt in check.
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As a social worker, my career has been primarily focused on crisis intervention and psychiatric hospitalizations for those with mental illness. It wasn't until I received a double-lung transplant that I learned firsthand just how important mental health and trauma management can be.
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As a medical professional who has cystic fibrosis, I have experienced both sides of pain management and chafed under the new rules for prescribing pain medications brought about by a nationwide opioid crisis. Despite having to add yet another doctor to my long list of providers, a trip to a pain management specialist wasn't as bad as I thought.
I have been fortunate enough to connect with my donor. The connection between us runs through her mom. It all started with her letter to me.
Because of the gift of one selfless donor, I am celebrating my first year with my new lungs. Even though I spent more than two and a half years on the double-lung transplant list and had a rough year after transplant, breathing easy has made it all worth it.
You may or may not have seen the video of the woman taking her first breath as her breathing tube is removed following her lung transplant. That was my fiancée, Jennifer.