1988 Heart & Lung Transplant - Part 2

….what is a heart and lung transplant? This is the first question we asked my doctor when he dropped the question/ bombshell on us.

We were shocked, does this mean I am dying? Can someone even survive such a surgery let alone have a life afterwords? Both Renee’s and my minds were flooded with emotions and questions. As fast as the doc asked and explained some answers he disappeared out the door. At first we were confused and frustrated followed by some anger! How could he just drop all this on our laps and leave?

As we sat in my small private hospital room our emotions eventually turned to tears, both of us knew we were coming to a crossroad where some decisions were upon us. Like it or not, the reality of death started to become real. This very day became a emotional and physical changing point in our lives, nothing would be the same for us, how could it be?

I think one of the hardest issues for us to comprehend regarding a Heart and lungs transplant, besides the scary sounding surgery, was why would I need a new heart? Mine was just fine! We kind of understood the new lungs, yes they were wasted and filled with mucous which in turn caused infection followed up with scarring leaving me unable to get enough oxygen for daily life, that what cystic fibrosis does. Primary goal of this ugly disease is oxygen deprivation amongst other attacks on the pancreas and sinus. Life expectancy for me was originally 5 years then 12 etc. Now at 28 years old cf is beating me down.

When I was finally released from the hospital stint of 3 weeks we returned home knowing we needed to talk, pray and choose what to do. The idea of this transplant was almost a impossible choice but after being home from the hospital 4 days I was already feeling like garbage. I had already been put on full time oxygen ( which I fought with all I could) and had a feeding tube placed in my stomach so could neutralize the weight loss. I feel like what I never wanted, a medical overload of survival accessories, and I despise it all!

Renee and I decided to go with me getting a heart and double lung transplant……

Dustin, myself & Cody at Disneyland pre-transplant 1988. Photography by Renee.