Mark’s Story

Site created on December 9, 2018

Here I am in the transplant wing of Tampa General Hospital, waiting for 2 new lungs.  I was admitted on November 28th &  after 24 different tests a medical board reviewed my case &  was placed on the transplant list on Dec 5th.   So now we wait.

The name of my disease is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).  More info on that here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopathic_pulmonary_fibrosis.

It all started 20 years ago.  I went Elk hunting in Colorado with some good friends from SUPERVALU.   When we reached the top of the mountain, I lost my air.  A few days later, I had to get down off the mountain.   

I had a real problem breathing, the mountains just made it more obvious. Once back in Minnesota, and a number of miss diagnosis later, I was put on high doses of prednisone for about 9 months.  That seemed to work, at least for the next 10 years.

In 2008 it was back.  The same recovery plan had similar results.  That seemed to work, at least for the next 5 years.

In 2013 it was back.  This time it never went away.  So we tested and tested and continued with the prednisone.  We couldn’t or didn’t put a name to it until this year, now we know it’s called IPF. 

The only cure for IPF is a lung transplant.  I'll be here in Tampa General Hospital until that day.  Thank you for your concern and your prayers.  Kim & I  appreciate all of you, more than you know.  We will keep you updated through this page. 

Newest Update

WEE WEE WEE all the way home

Journal entry by Mark McCallum —

Hi guys, my 2 new lungs are working like champs!


Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.  We feel each and everyone of them and you know what, they worked!

I was released from the transplant house on Wednesday, YAY.  Kim and I were there for 3 weeks, just as planned.  I have been working on my breathing, little did I know I developed some very bad breathing habits as I got sicker.  But I NO LONGER NEED OXYGEN!!!  A HUGE improvement.  I can't go very fast or very far, but I'm off the tanks.  Since I can't drive for a while, Kim drove and this little piggy went WEE WEE WEE all the way home... 😊 

Mark & Lisa had our home ready and waiting for us with our "To Do/ Wish List" complete. How bout dat!!  I can't describe how good it felt to sleep in my own bed, home sweet home was never more true.

Thursday we celebrated a belated Christmas, Birthdays, Valentines Days, and Homecoming.  Family wanted to wait and wouldn't do it without us being a part.  Thank you JoAnn & Vern & Family!  

I'll be signing off Caring Bridge now and want to thank you again for checking in on me and sending your thoughts and prayers.  I am so grateful to all of you and I am so grateful to be alive!   

HAVE FAITH AND BELIEVE!  WE LOVE YOU ALL - MARK & KIM
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