My name is Michelle and I have Cystic Fibrosis (CF). I am 26 years old.
Cystic Fibrosis is a lung and digestive system disease. I was diagnosed at 2 weeks old. I got lucky and only had a couple hospitalizations until I turned 15. That was the first time I had a lung collapse. Up until 2016, my lungs would collapse around 15 times, causing me to have three surgeries to fix them and 12 or more chest tubes. I lost count.
After my first lung collapsed, also called a pneumothorax, I started to get sick more often. I was in the hospital more than school during my junior and senior year. At 17, I had to have a feeding tube placed because I could not gain weight and it was heavily affecting my lung function. I graduated high school and attended a semester of college before dropping out because of my health. I continued to be in and out of the hospital. Then, when I was 22, my Mom passed away. She was my best friend and my rock. I was crushed and went through a very hard time. My health declined fast. My lung function dropped from the high 30s, which I had maintained for years, to the mid 20s. I was in the hospital more often and longer.
In September of 2016, I went into acute respiratory failure. I pulled through, only to go into complete respiratory failure on November 13th. I had to be put on the ventilator because I could no longer breathe on my own. I had a blood clot in my leg, I had a blood infection, I was septic, and doctors weren't sure if I was going to make it. I was in a medically induced coma.
After about 2 weeks, I woke up and started physical therapy. All my muscles had atrophied and I couldn't even lift my arms. I had to learn how to stand and walk all over again.
Luckily, in October, I agreed to be evaluated for a double lung transplant. Transplant is the reality for many with CF. Our lungs end up failing and transplant is often our last hope. On December 15, 2016, I received a double lung transplant! We got the call at 9 p.m. on the 14th and I headed to surgery around 11 a.m. on the 15th. I was terrified.
It was a rough recovery, with some acute rejection at the beginning. Now I am two years and three months out, and I just blew my highest lung function in my life, 93%! I live with my boyfriend, who has two beautiful children and our three dogs. I'm back in school for business so one day I can work in a funeral home.
Things are good. All the struggle was worth it!
