Nothing compares to a personal, first-hand account from one of our lung recipients. We thank our real-life storytellers for their willingness to share their experiences and tell their stories of courage, joy and gratitude.

One Year Anniversary

FamilyJulia Allen, second from left, attends the Tree of Life ceremony with her mother, Brenda Bridges (left) and two Inova Fairfax Hospital CCU nurses on the one-year anniversary of her double lung transplant for cystic fibrosis.

Julia's eight-year-old-daughter, Lexi, attended the 2013 Tree of Life ceremony while her mother was in surgery, memorializing her mom's transplant with a notation in the guestbook that read, "My mom's getting her lungs right now."

 

It's a Small World!

doctor and patientYou never know who you will come across. Or when.

Former lung transplant patient Michael Birchenall (left), crossed paths with his surgeon, Dr. Paul Massimiano (right), on the day of his one-year transplant anniversary. Michael says he only met Dr. Massimiano in the ICU following his surgery. This was his opportunity to say thank you under much better conditions, a "beautiful surprise," he called it.


Disease Specific Transplant Stories

Lung transplant patients share their unique experiences.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (A1AD)

Cystic Fibrosis

Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Interstitial Lung Disease

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Other Patient Stories


Transplant Process – What to Expect

Transplant patients share their personal experiences with transplant and what to expect at various phases of the process.

Angelia Moorer
Evaluation Angelia Moorer, a sarcadosis patient, discusses the transplant evaluation process.
Heather Rekeweg Cronin
Getting The Transplant Call Heather Rekeweg Cronin talks about getting the transplant call and the hours leading up to surgery.
Donald Mooring
Transplant Day & ICU Donald Mooring shares his transplant day experience and post-transplant intensive care.
Mamoud Sheadegh
Post-Transplant Mamoud Sheadegh shares his experience, including the ups and downs, medications and complications.
Larry Kern
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Larry Kern discusses his experience with pulmonary rehabilitation.