June 12, 1996 was my first wake-up call. I was on the Internet when my beeper from Barnes Hospital went off. It was Greg Richardson, Nurse Coordinator, telling us to scoot on down - there was a lung available for me. I was so filled with anticipation, joy, excitement that I never stopped talking all the way to the hospital. I had only been on the Lung Transplant List for one year. Some patients have been on it for over two years. When the doctor outside the operating room told me the lung proved to be unsuitable and he hoped I was not too disappointed, I could only express my elation at being so far up the list.

I have COPD. Diagnosed in 1980, my health gradually worsened until I was almost home bound, sucking in oxygen 24 hours a day. I spent hours at the computer because I had difficulty even walking from room to room. Then I heard about Dr. Joel Cooper’s Lung Reduction Surgery. My local doctor referred me to his office when I was hospitalized in May of 1994 with an infection. After the evaluation, Dr. Cooper insisted I go on a 3-month rehabilitation program before he would say yeah or nay. This program got my body back in the best possible condition. I believe it was instrumental in my rapid recovery from surgery. When I returned for reevaluation, Dr. Cooper informed me that my lungs were both so badly damaged throughout that this surgery would not be helpful. He then referred me to the Lung Transplant Department where I was reevaluated and placed on the list in June, 1995. Thank you Dr. Cooper!

Early Friday morning, June 14, 1996 at 1:30 a.m. the beeper went off for the second time. This time, I called my three sons before we left who immediately called their prayer chains to add my name. I KNEW this was a GO! I felt such an overpowering sense of Joy it was hard to contain it.

When we got to the hospital, there was a wait for the harvested lung to arrive from out West. A team of doctors at Barnes had flown out to check the lungs for a double lung transplant. When they examined them, one side was unusable, so the patient waiting for a double was sent home and I was called. I entered the operating room at 4:50 a.m. The operation was over around 8:00 a.m. My surgeon was Dr. G. Alexander Patterson, Surgical Director of the Lung Transplant program. Dr. Block assisted.

The next thing I remember is being in ICU with two tubes in my back, lines going every which way, and an endotracheal-ET-tube in my mouth and throat. My family was there, lying to me, telling me I looked great. I tried so hard to talk to them that I ended up being hoarse for several days after the tube was taken out. My first trip around the room walking, even with all those bottles, tubes, and lines, was exciting and fun because I could BREATHE! They put me on just 1-2 liters of oxygen (normally I required 3-6). After 3 days in ICU, I was moved upstairs to the 6200 floor where I was given a lovely, large room all to myself.

Barnes believes in containing pain. I was given an epidural catheter in my back with a morphine drip and later, oral pain medication. Whenever I became uncomfortable, I was given medication. At no time was I in any great pain. I sometimes take it at night to ease the discomfort I feel when lying in bed. It also helps me sleep (which has become a problem).

I had such wonderful care. Everyday I felt better. One chest tube was taken out. Two days later, the other. The foley catheter disappeared. The IV catheter in my neck was the last one removed. I walked the halls three times a day with a therapist at first, and then on my own. I gave my own sponge baths and even washed my hair once. Oxygen was completely removed after 5 days.

The average stay for a lung transplant patient is around three to four weeks. After only 8 days, I was given a pass to come home for 4 hours to be with my family. That was a wonderful day and worth being tired the next day. On Tuesday, June 25, 1996, I was discharged from the hospital after eleven days. However, the very next day I started going back to Barnes Rehab Center to begin my physical conditioning.

Rehab is five days a week. Twice a week I get blood work done to monitor the Immunosuppression medication I must take for the rest of my life. Two x-rays and one Pulmonary Function Test is taken. A visit is scheduled once a week on Friday at the Clinic to see my Pulmonologist, Dr. John Lynch. My Post Operative Nurse Coordinator, Kate Sander keeps track of all of this to catch any trouble spots which might crop up. Barnes Hospital does a fantastic job of educating their patients. Without this, one might well be overwhelmed with it all. As for the medicine - I am not taking any more than I did before.

I wear a mask when in an enclosed room, a crowded store, hospital, and especially around children or people who have colds. My immune system is almost literally shut down, so any virus or bug could make big inroads and head straight for my new lung. I feel a deep sense of protection. Slowly, the dosages will be decreased. I am on Neoral/Cyclosporine, Prednisone 35 mg., and Imuran/Azathioprine.

I have been given 10 years of my life back. I am not going to waste it. I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given. Many of my friends at Better Breathers do not have this option. I feel sad for them, and yes, a little guilty. God has some purpose in mind for my life and I can only go where He leads me. If you are facing the same situation remember there are lots of success stories out there now on lung transplants. I meet them every day at Barnes. Just don't forget to add your name to a prayer chain.

Cathy Smith #317
Wood River, IL.
July 10, 1996