double lung transplant

Submitted: Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:19
ThreadID: 34367 Views:2236 Replies:14 FollowUps:4
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Just letting all of you know,my husband Bill, one of your travelling members has finally had his double lung transplant, Bill is doing "fantastic".
When told he had only 3 months to live by doctors, in August 2003, he decided to pull a caravan around Australia, he did this on oxygen 24 hours a day, I was not allowed to drive, as he said, "I want to get there in one piece !"
We thoroughly enjoyed it, we believe it prolonged his life, but travelling came to a halt this year, when we were grounded, waiting for a phone call for a transplant.
Bill was getting itchy feet, wanting to get going again.
Bill didn't have to wait long, he had it 4 weeks ago & is home, he is very overwhelmed with everything, & especially to the donors family, he has so much gratitude towards them, knowing the donor not only saved his life but 4 other peoples lives too.All are doing very well too.

So please give some thought to being a donor, the biggest hold up in Australia, is donors, remember one donor can save up to nine lives in one day.................Regards Lyn

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Reply By: Mike Harding - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:21

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:21
The very best of luck and long life to you both - keep fighting! :)
AnswerID: 175351

Reply By: ro-dah-o (WA) - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:23

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:23
thats great news!! Good luck.
AnswerID: 175352

Reply By: Big Kidz (Andrew & Jen) - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:24

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:24
All the best to Bill - it is hard to imagine what an all consuming illness like that is like until it happens to someone close to you. All the best in the months to come
AnswerID: 175353

Reply By: Waynepd (NSW) - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:32

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:32
FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC news.

Hope you and Bill are back on the road soon and i agree that being a donor is the most worthwhile thing one human can do for another.....

Good luck for the future.

AnswerID: 175356

Reply By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:39

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:39
All the best to both of you. Great news.

Cheers

Pete
AnswerID: 175360

Reply By: Des Lexic - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:51

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:51
I endorse all of the above especially the becoming a donar bit. I'm registered but I hope all my bits are well and truly worn out by the time my time comes in about 50 years.
AnswerID: 175362

Reply By: Member - william J (NSW) - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:58

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 13:58
thanks to everyone for all your wonderful thoughts & to you Des, thank you for being a donor. Regards, Lyn..........
AnswerID: 175363

Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 14:23

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 14:23
Truly inspirational. Good luck to you both for a long and happy future. With that spirit, I'm sure Bill can overcome any obstacles with a running jump.

In WA we put 'organ donor' on our driver's licences (still need next of kin permission), but it does encourage everyone to think about it annually.

Motherhen

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AnswerID: 175368

Reply By: Michael B - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 14:40

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 14:40
Lyn,

Sincere best wishes to you both. I'm glad thing are going well.

Problems such as this really make you appreciate all the little things in life.

Wont be long now until you will be off again, this time without an oxygen bottle.

Cheers
Michael B (SA)

AnswerID: 175375

Reply By: maroni - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 15:31

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 15:31
cheers and best wishes..
i am a donor..
AnswerID: 175385

Reply By: Gramps (NSW) - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 16:33

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 16:33
It's all been said above. Definitely the best news I've heard in quite a while.
AnswerID: 175408

Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 17:43

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 17:43
I hope you both are back out doing what you love in no time.

I hope the Donor's list gets longer from this very positive post. I know I won't be needing my spare parts werever I end up but someone else may have a use for them so in my opinion they are welcome to them.

Regards, Trevor.
AnswerID: 175429

Follow Up By: Member - william J (NSW) - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 19:13

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 19:13
Trev thanks again for your thoughts.For all who are interested please read below..........

Donation enquiries phone number is 1800777203, it is a free phone call from home phones.
The Donor Register will send you out a form or you can register online & find further info by visiting HIC's website on www.hic.gov.au/organ

I believe it's Gods best way of recycling..........Regards Lyn
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FollowupID: 431526

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 18:40

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 18:40
Well done ,, and for the Queenslanders on and off the forum , just ticking the organ donor option on your licence renewal IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH ,, you must inform your family ,wife,husband,next of kin ect ect and make a "living will" so that when sooner or later the inevitable does occur your organs can be harvested to give life to someone else,,,,,,,, ok, off my box,, [my swmbo deals with the lack of organ donors every day]
AnswerID: 175451

Follow Up By: Max - Sydney - Monday, May 29, 2006 at 18:56

Monday, May 29, 2006 at 18:56
There is a national Organ Donor registry too - seems to have more pull, but they emphasise that you must tell all the family you want them to give away as muvch of you as you can.

A great story of courage and determination.

I get about 4 units of blood every month to keep going and will have to keep on with that. Restricts the range of where we can travel because its a bit specialised and have to have it done in a capital city, but that gives a good range anyway. And I am mega grateful to about 50 people every year who donate the blood.

Something else people might consider doing!

Cheers
Max
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FollowupID: 431522

Reply By: Jo and Mark - Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 14:15

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 14:15
Hi Lyn..

I am really pleased to hear all has gone well for Bill. And that a donor was available. Just got the news yesterday that Mark (34) will need a kidney transplant and like yourselves it isn't like you can go to the body shop for spare parts!
I really wish you both the absolute best life will give you!
Cheers for now
Jo
AnswerID: 175898

Follow Up By: Member - william J (NSW) - Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 15:32

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 15:32
Thank you so much Jo & Mark, we hope your wait isn't too long.
Bills approach to life before his transplant, was that he had postive thoughts & goals, even though he was on oxygen 24/7, & we had travelled many kilometres in this amazing country , the wait for the transplant was the best trip he's ever travelled.
Regards Lyn & Bill..............
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FollowupID: 431958

Follow Up By: Jo and Mark - Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 15:38

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 15:38
ahhhhhhh yes a nice trip... oh wouldn't that be lov-el-y!!!!!!!

looks like a visit to the bank about trying to get a camper trailer will have to be put on hold!
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FollowupID: 431962

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