No matter what life throws her way, Laurie lives by two simple words – “just breathe.” Even when she was sick, this mantra kept her going.
Laurie was first diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2013, a severe disease of the lungs that occurs when your lungs become inflamed or damaged. It wasn’t until 2018 that she had significant trouble breathing and her health started to severely decline. In 2022, she was added to the lung transplant waiting list at UPMC.
“It was a long and frustrating journey to get a lung transplant. I had a lot of work to do but I was a fighter,” she says.
In order to be eligible for a transplant, Laurie had to do rehab and physical therapy multiple days a week to build her strength and stamina for surgery. Despite the physical obstacles she had to work through, she didn’t let it keep her from her end goal of transplant.
“You have to stay motivated,” she explains. “As much as I hated doing the work, I never gave up my spirit at all.”
Though she lives outside of Harrisburg, Pa., Laurie’s care was seamlessly transitioned to Pittsburgh once she and the team decided to pursue a lung transplant. Laurie feels grateful to have worked with the UPMC Lung Transplant team, especially with Chadi Hage, MD, pulmonologist and medical director of the UPMC Lung Transplant Program. She leaned on the entire medical team for support and reassurance when she felt defeated.
“I just had the most positive people throughout the whole process,” she says.
She found comfort in Dr. Hage telling her exactly what was to be expected for the surgery without instilling any fear in her.
“I give Dr. Hage a lot of credit. If I had any questions, I was able to call out of the blue,” she shares. “The team was just wonderful. I even have their number on speed dial and I still call them today. That’s how much they have my back.”
After several months on the waiting list, and receiving the call twice for lungs that ultimately were not viable, the third time was the charm. She underwent a lung transplant in July 2023 and has never looked back.
“Life is amazing. I don’t take one day for granted,” Laurie says. “I can get out and I’m not out of breath. I can do so much more with my grandchildren. We go on walks and go to parks. My life has changed so much.”
Laurie also expresses immense gratitude for the donor that allowed her to receive her lungs and a second chance at life.
“I have this saying, ‘just breathe’. I get up in the morning now and I can take a deep breath,” she says. “I’m going to make sure I use [my donor’s] lungs just as she would do herself.”
Laurie takes pride in sharing her story to help motivate those who are still on the waiting list or working to be eligible. Her advice for those feeling discouraged is simple.
“Just breathe. Do what the team is telling you to do even if it feels like a challenge. Keep a good attitude and meet everybody halfway. They’re here to help you. It makes the process a lot easier even though it’s scary at times. Think of the outcome and don’t give up. It’s coming. It may take a while, but it’s coming.”
Laurie’s treatment and results may not be representative of similar cases.
