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Malcolm's Story -- Born Breathing Twice
I had a disease named sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis can affect many organs of the body but in my case attacked both of my lungs. I was first diagnosed with the disease in 1960 as I reported for active military duty. In 1962, I began a career as a cartographer in St. Louis, Missouri. I retired in 1991, but still had no noticeable symptoms of the disease until the summer of 1995. In 1996, I was getting weaker and weaker and had several hospital stays at George Washington University Hospital. By 1999, I was on home oxygen and this need increased until the home oxygen concentrator could barely meet it. Even showering was a chore.
The generosity of my “lungs donor” and the lung transplant team at Inova Fairfax saved my life. My double lung transplant was performed in April 2000 at age 64. I was born again because of the generosity of my donor. My old lungs just broke into pieces when they tried to remove them. I must have been the sickest person on the lung transplant list. I think I may be the oldest person to ever receive a double lung transplant at the hospital.
I want to show gratitude and also disprove the idea that older people do not do well after transplantation. I spent a much shorter than average time in the hospital and have had no setbacks since the transplant. For me, life is even better than it used to be. I can do things that I have not been able to do for many years. We enjoy riding bicycles, walking and training on our home gym daily.
Each day has a deeper meaning. I love seeing the early morning sunshine and the rain. I realize that life is very fragile and how special I am because someone was so generous to give me a second chance. These are special people. One has given me a lasting memorial for which I am very grateful.
“Thank You” is insufficient to the donors, their families and the magnificent staff and doctor at the hospital. I will faithfully care for my new lungs so that their next user will get a second chance, as I did! They will go forward!
Malcolm, born July 6, 1935 and again in April 2000.