(Also see the article about Len from the Gainesville Georgia Times

Len laughed as he blew bubbles through a bubble wand. Such a whimsical thing to do on a sunny southern Saturday afternoon most would think. But for the Gainesville, GA man, having the strength to get out of bed, sit in a chair and use precious breath to blow the bubbles is quite an accomplishment. Just nine days ago, Len Geiger received a double lung transplant.

He was diagnosed eight years ago with Alpha1- Antitrypsin Deficiency (called Alpha 1). The disease is a genetic form of emphysema that affects a relatively small number of people – less than 10,000 in the U.S are currently diagnosed. With Alpha 1, victims have a reduced amount or lack of the protein known as alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT). There is no known cure for the inherited disease that is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide, according to the Alpha-1 Foundation. A lung transplant would be Len’s only hope of leading a life past his forties.

Len received the call on Sunday, May 26th that a donor had been found in Virginia, not far from the University of Virginia Hospital where Len’s surgery would be performed. Having been on the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) list for three years, the transplant came not a moment too soon for the 43-year-old former medical sales representative for Quest Diagnostic.

Though Len is receiving regular doses of morphine, his pain is minimal considering what his body has been through. During the nine-hour surgery, surgeons removed both of his lungs and replaced them with those of a teen-age donor. Lungs were removed and replaced on either side of Len’s chest by spreading his ribs apart and making two separate surgical incisions on each side of his body. A "w"-formed incision was made under his arms and around his pectorals to open the chest enough for the surgery and prevent his skin from tearing. Small silver staples remain on Len’s chest as do three tubes running into his new lungs to drain them of excess fluid.

Beverly Ryan, the transplant coordinator at the University of Virginia Hospital, say his progress is considerable and credits his good physical shape and attention to proper nutrition prior to transplant for much of his relatively speedy recovery. At 5’7" and 160 pounds, Len’s muscular body has less than nine percent body fat.

"We think he is doing really well, has done well since his surgery and is progressing normally," she said. Ryan says Len’s oxygen level is now normal. His lungs have 99% oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation is the amount of oxygen being carried by the red blood cells into the blood stream. Oxygen saturation is considered normal when it is 90% or higher. Less than that can cause heart damage. Prior to surgery, Len’s lungs performed around 80%.

"Len is an extremely motivated individual and he has spent a lot of time researching the disease on his own and asking questions. He had a lot more knowledge going into surgery than most patients do. The more the person can learn about their disease and the surgery beforehand the better," said Ryan.

Len’s time in the hospital hasn’t gone without incident. On May 28th, one of his new lungs partially collapsed. His oxygen saturation dropped markedly. Medical personnel worked to re-inflate the lung and several hours later, the crisis subsided.

There is an 85-90% one-year survival rate for transplant recipients. So far, Len has experienced no rejection with his new lungs, which is one of the most common causes for setback and death for patients like him. The more days Len goes without having signs of acute rejection, the better his chances are of living a long time with his current set of lungs. "Patients can develop rejection especially in the early months and it usually easily treated. So far, he has shown no signs of rejection. The largest risks for Len now are chronic rejection and infection. Chronic rejection is deterioration of the lung function over time and can happen at any stage after transplant.

The son of Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Geiger, of Gainesville, Len’s experience with medicine through his father’s profession as a pathologist and his own give him a great understanding of his disease and his transplant – both the prognosis and the reality that faces him. "At first, we were filled with gladness and fear. We worried about things that could go wrong. We are happy that he is doing so well now," said his mother, Becky Geiger, also of Gainesville. "I can hardly begin to think how wonderful things will be. He will be able to do so many more things than he has been able to do. This will expand his life. We’re so thankful." His father, added, "I am really proud of him, he has shown great courage. I am so pleased that he has the chance to live. We are looking forward to seeing him back in his life."

Len has been released from the hospital and is now living at a nearby hotel so that he may make his frequent visits to the hospital for blood tests, pulmonary functions tests and check-ups. He plans to return to Gainesville in time for the 4th of July holiday.

For further information on Alpha 1, please visit www.alpha1.org.