06/12/2026
“I’d like to tell you about the time I got a second chance at life.
In 2024, I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. This is a lung disease characterized by scarring and stiffening of lung tissue, making it harder for the lungs to work. There is no cure. My disease was called "Idiopathic," which is a fancy medical term for "we don't know what is causing this."
This diagnosis was shocking to me because I had always been a healthy, active person. Unfortunately, the disease progressed rapidly, and I was soon put on supplemental oxygen. At home, I was tethered to an oxygen concentrator. When I went out, I carried large oxygen tanks with me. Needless to say, I didn't go out much because it was physically exhausting.
My oxygen needs became very high. Taking a shower was brutal. When walking, I had to stop and rest after a few steps, even with the oxygen. I wasn't able to walk up more than a couple of stairs at a time. Unless I had a doctor's appointment, I pretty much sat on the sofa in my living room. It was a dismal, bleak, depressing time.
One day, I was in my doctor's office and was given the news no one wants to hear. She told me that if my disease continued the way it had been, I had maybe a year to live. My husband and son were with me at that appointment. They both started crying. I was in shock. How could this be? I had so many things I still wanted to do in life. My husband and I were planning to do some traveling and other activities. Most importantly, our daughter was pregnant with our first grandchild. I was so afraid I wouldn't be around to meet this baby.
The doctor said the only option available to me would be a double lung transplant. That's a very serious surgery and sounded scary. She wanted me to go home and think about it. But I said, "No, I have nothing to think about. If this is my only option, let's go for it!"
I underwent weeks of pre-transplant testing and was finally approved to be put on the list for transplant. I was very sick at this point — frail and exhausted. Four days after I was listed, I received "the call" to tell me that there were lungs available for me. I was nervous but also hopeful. We packed up and headed for the hospital.
That night, I had a successful double lung transplant surgery. Eight days after my transplant, I walked out of the hospital, headed for home, on room air — no supplemental oxygen.
Since my transplant, my life has changed dramatically. I have energy. I can do so much that I couldn't before. After my surgery, the first time I was able to cook a meal, I cried. I couldn't do that before. I now walk three miles at a time, sometimes more. I exercise several times a week. I no longer look for the closest parking place when I'm going somewhere. I often prefer to park far away from the door so I can enjoy the fact that I can walk long distances. I don't avoid stairs anymore.
I participated in the Dash for Donation, a 5K walk to raise awareness and funds to support organ, eye and tissue donation.
I talk with pre-transplant patients to answer questions, offer hope and encouragement. I talk with their families and answer questions and offer support. I visit patients in the hospital when they get their transplants to encourage and pray with them. I follow up with them after transplant to help in any way I can.
I am active in my church and volunteer with several organizations, including Lifeline of Ohio.
Most of all, my sweet granddaughter was born about 2½ months after my transplant. She is now 20 months old and is my joy and godsend.
I have written to my donor's family. They have not yet responded, and I understand — they may not feel comfortable reaching out. I am alive today because of my donor hero. I know nothing about my donor. Yet my donor and their family made the generous and compassionate decision to say yes to organ donation.
I feel so incredibly blessed to have received my gift, my second chance at life.
If you are not a registered organ, eye and tissue donor, might I ask that you consider it? As a registered organ donor, you just might be a part of saving the life of someone like me.” — Nancy
Join Nancy at this year's Dash for Donation on July 11: bit.ly/4np2QOp
