Lives saved . . . .

Jerry Bluff
Lung Transplant Recipient
February 22, 2004

In 1998 I was diagnosed with COPD, (Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease). COPD is a disease that encompasses one or more of the following: Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and can include Chronic Asthma. This was caused mainly by smoking, but also by environmental hazards, (chemicals that I worked with, also silicone dust, years of woodworking -- breathing the dust).
I was told I would be on Oxygen the rest of my life, and that I would never work again. To say the least, my wife and I were devastated. Even though I did everything I should do, the disease continued to progress, By May 2000, my lung function had dropped and they felt that I should undergo a Lung Volume reduction Surgery. This would remove 33% of the upper lobe of each lung, allowing the healthy portions of the lung to grow. The evaluation began, and I was determined a good candidate for the surgery. I underwent the surgery February 1, 2002, at the Cleveland Clinic. This increased my lung volume capacity from 18% of normal to 36%. I was doing great, this gave me a wonderful quality of life. That lasted for approximately 18 months.
In June 2003, my Lung Volume had dropped to 18% again, I had just gotten over a lengthy infection. During my examination at the Cleveland Clinic, we were told that I had less than two years to live, unless I received a lung transplant. Again we were stunned. At that time I was having a hard time walking more than 15 feet without having to rest. The evaluation was very lengthy and finally on Dec. 17, 2003, I received a phone call and was told that I was accepted to the transplant list. The anxiety was overwhelming, we never gave up. We had to keep a suitcase packed to be ready at a moments notice.

Then, on Sunday morning February 22, 2004, at 6:30AM, we got a call, they asked if I was ready. They would call as soon as their plane was in the air. We busied ourselves calling everyone we knew asking for prayer. We got our next call about 8AM, telling us to be at the airport at 10:00AM. They sent a small Lear Jet to pick us up. When we landed in Cleveland a police van was waiting to take us directly to the Clinic. We got to the Clinic at 12:00 noon. When we got there we sat down and were given papers to fill out. Before I could start, a nurse came in and said I didn't have time for that. Diane would have to fill them out, they were ready for me. Diane and I said a prayer, thanking God for a successful surgery and a healthy lung. I was in surgery for only three and one half hours. I received a single left lung from a donor in Pittsburgh.
They were able to take the breathing tube out two hours after my transplant. This is very good, as they normally have to leave it in at least a day and a half. When they took the breathing tube out of me, I took my first breath, and knew that everything was Wonderful! I was discharged from the hospital after eleven days.
I was able to wean myself off oxygen, finally, after being on it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This transplant has given me a new life. A life that I will never take for granted. . .
I am now completely free of supplemental oxygen. This freedom is wonderful. I can now walk up to 3 miles on a slight incline on a treadmill, five days a week. I ride a stationery bike up to seven miles, three times a week.
I have a chance to watch our grandchildren grow up.
It has given me the opportunity to enjoy life with my wife and my family and friends.
This has also given me the pleasure of helping others who are experiencing the problems of coping with COPD.
My new life is truly a miracle, for that I feel blessed and thankful.

Penny Sayles
Kidney Transplant Recipient
April 9, 1998

I was just 23 years old, newly married to my college sweetheart, teaching at a local high school, looking forward to fixing up our first home and making plans for our future. After an annual check-up with my doctor, a routine urinalysis revealed unusual protein levels. After a few more tests that led to a kidney biopsy, my diagnosis and prognosis was unfathomable. Doctors indicated that I would eventually lose my kidney function and need a kidney transplant as a result of a virus that had attacked my kidneys. What virus? When? I don't feel sick and there were no symptoms except for this abnormal urinalysis. There were no answers, only the inevitable of what was to be.

In a matter of a few years my life completely changed. My kidneys failed and I needed dialysis until I could receive a kidney transplant. The only potential matches for possible living donation were quickly eliminated due to blood type incompatibility and health issues. For 7 and 1/2 years I received time-consuming and uncomfortable kidney dialysis treatments that extended my exhausting life, but did not cure my illness. I was so sick with chronic fatigue, nausea, medication side-effects, fluid retention, just to name a few. Simple tasks became major challenges, like walking through a medical/school/office building or a mall. Even just sleeping through one night undisturbed by leg cramps or fluid buildup in my lungs and adhering to the strict dietary and fluid restrictions were daily challenges. I could not travel anywhere for more than one day because I needed my dialysis treatments. All of this and trying to hang onto my job that provided the medical insurance I needed for my dialysis treatments and eventual possible transplantation. I lived in daily fear of the unknown and hopelessness and feeling such guilt about how my illness also impacted my family's lives as well. I fought tears at every major event or celebration thinking this might be my last....

Then on April 9, 1998 during a families overwhelming grief and loss, they unselfishly gave me a new life. I received a kidney transplant on a Friday and left the hospital the following Tuesday. I was back to teaching full-time within 2 weeks. My life from that day on is very different. During the last four years I have vacationed to places I thought I would never see and attend exercise classes everyday. I actively volunteer for many organizations, enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, walk-a-thons, mountain biking and kayaking. I even participated as an athlete in the unforgettable 2002 Transplant Games in Orlando participating in the 1500m race walk, 3 on 3 basketball and volleyball team events. I thoroughly enjoy my productive healthy life with my husband and son. None of which would be possible without this extraordinary gift of life that changed my life as well as my family's lives.