It is important to discuss a possible lung transplant long before you need to be listed. This will give you time to prepare for transplant as a future option and work with your cystic fibrosis care team to understand the implications and to create a plan.
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Surgery and recovery involves more than replacing your lungs. The process also includes making the physical and emotional adjustment to life with your new lungs.
When my mom used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I told her that I wanted to be a dad. The journey to fatherhood with cystic fibrosis is full of obstacles, but I would give anything to pass on the traits I've gained from living with this disease to a child of my own.
Although my lung transplant was the end of one story, it was also the beginning of another, more difficult story.
I recently attended the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Lung Transplantation Summit. Many of the areas for improvement cited by the experts matched what I have seen as the mother of a two-time double-lung transplant recipient.
When my 8-year-old daughter with CF found out that the disease is potentially fatal, I was grateful for her optimistic views on life and death. But deep down, I was saddened with the thought of a cure being so far away that I wouldn't be around to see it. Today, my fears have dwindled.
Dr. John P. Clancy shares new developments in drugs that restore airway surface liquid in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis, making it easier to clear mucus.
Dr. James Chmiel shares new developments in drugs to reduce inflammation in the lungs and help prevent lung damage.
Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Cousar shares new developments in drugs that fight infections in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis.
I made it onto the transplant list after first being rejected. After 18 months of waiting, I got the call that my new lungs were waiting for me.