Taking Flight: Inspirational Stories of Lung Transplantation More Journeys

Joanne M. Schum is a survivor of Cystic Fibrosis, and in her 14th year post double lung transplant, has once again gathered stories from around the world, to follow her first edition of “Taking Flight: Inspirational Stories of Lung Transplantation”. For those individuals who are pre or post lung, lungs, heart/lungs transplant, the stories so rarely heard were gathered to share the positive news that lung transplantation does work. In this edition of, “Taking Flight” stories from recipients, family members, friends, and donor families, flutter like a butterfly to offer the excitement of a new life to those with lung illness. You will read stories from women who had a child post lung transplant, those who were very young recipients, much older recipients, and read about the success of re-transplantation. Additionally you will read astonishing stories from those who have had three lung transplants, those who had a multi-organ lung transplant, or in later years those who required other organs to be transplanted. It was good fortune that I also have stories from those who received new lungs through “Ex-Vivo Lung Perfusion”. A collection of donor family stories will bring you to tears with sadness, but the wonderment of their human strength and spirit, and their giving the “Gift of Life” to a total stranger. The joy of organ donation helps the donor family to realize life will go on for a person who is very ill, and waiting for the “Gift of Life”. Also, living lobar lung transplantation stories are shared to affirm, how a loving family member or friend helps a person with lung illness to secure coming years of good health. The kindness of others will captivate you. Butterflies are adored by those who have received a lung transplant and for those waiting for their “new wings”. The butterfly is recognized as a symbol of life, and for the lung recipient, the “new, healthy, whitish – pinkish lung” bares a great resemblance to butterfly wings in appearance. Additionally, during the surgery of lung transplantation when the new lungs are connected, and the lungs take their “first breath”, they remind one of the opening of butterfly wings for the first time, and offer a, “Flight of Dreams and Hope”. The words from the medical professionals who contributed to this edition of "Taking Flight" are impressive: ~Dr. Thomas M. Egan – Professor of Surgery; Joanne’s lung transplant surgeon offers the Introduction once again. His research in the field of discovering new methods to increase the procurement of lungs for transplant, have become a reality. The ”Future of Lung Transplantation” has arrived with Ex-Vivo Perfusion. Read this amazing account of hard work, determination, and success. ~Dr. Marshall Hertz – Medical Director, Lung Transplant Program; Shares his interaction and caring for lung patients over many years, and the astounding success that his patients receive a whole new life for themselves, and their family; all thanks to an organ donor. He often will recommend to his patients that reading “Taking Flight” will be a source of serenity. ~Eric Hobson – Nurse Practitioner/Coordinator, Lung Transplant Program; Provides a, “Walk in his shoes” of a lung transplant coordinator’s typical day; a tough role to have, but one with immense rewards. Multi-tasking is the normal day for this much appreciated team member. ~Dr. Joel Cooper – Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery; Many still refer to him as “The Father of Lung Transplantation” with the fact he did perform the first successful lung transplant in the World! His contribution to “Taking Flight” offers history, and the awareness that lung transplantation is a miracle, and he was determined to make it an actuality. Thanks come from many, for his ingenuity. I consider this edition of “Taking Flight” a “GEM”, with the collection of contributors and their stories. Where else are you able to read stories of lung recipients achieving dreams? From the young person who was able to learn to ride a bike; to the teenager now able to go on their first date; to the 20-40 year old who can rewardingly start a career, or return to a career, or marry, start a family, are all high priorities and provides great satisfaction when accomplished after their lung transplant. For the older person, being alive for grandchildren, retiring or volunteering is a reward they never imagined. Let the “Butterfly” stories in this book bring you comforting reassurance that lung transplantation is a means of having a fulfilling, happy, healthful life.