Daddy was diagnosed with COPD several years ago. Not long after came emphysema, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease and fibrosis. His lungs became so stiff and leathery he was unable to take a full breath and his lungs could not expand. Due to smoking for many years along with working at Union Carbide in that black dust, asbestos, etc it finally caught up with him. Things that use to be an easy task for him suddenly became extremely difficult. He had to increase his oxygen more and more each week until he was having to wear 2 if not 3 forms of oxygen and unable to walk more than 2-3 steps at a time. When he went to St. Thomas on Aug 8th, no one thought he would not be coming back home. His doctors felt the last option would be possibility of transplant. Test after test, he was poked and prodded over and over however it paid off! He was placed on the list on Friday August 30th and received his new lungs the very next day!! He has been given a second chance!!!
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