Lung Transplan

[Guest guest]

Well the doc's came in and talk me about what is going on I as told

that I have smoking problems to from when used to . he will try to

make me better with steroids > I was trying them when I as in the

Hospital in Reno . They seemed to work . They also suggested a lung

transplant if they could not make me better .I was not considering that

until they asked . I know it is not a easy operation . I am wondering

the success rate . My brother had a hat valve put in bu that was years

ago . They have come a long way since then , How may of you are in line

fr this ? I am only 61 and everything else seems to work fine . I think

the hospital I am in is great they dont try to mess around with this

and that and are very straight forward God Bless you all Walt

[Guest guest]

Walt

Lung Transplants

The hard numbers are one year survival rates of 85-90% now depending on

the facility. Five year survival rates of around 50% but its my belief

that number is really on the way up. Understand that those who that is

based on had to have been transplanted at least five years ago when the

one year rate was much lower than now and the knowledge less. I suspect

a more realistic five year expectation is 60-65% but have nothing to

base that on.

However, when you think of survival rates understand its all upside as

none of the people transplanted are likely to survive those times

without one. So if the five year rate is 60%, its 60% versus 0% without

a transplant by the time they actually perform it. As to longer term

survival we don't know yet. I do believe every year the numbers will

continue to improve. Facilities vary but UTSW here doesn't list until

they believe you have less than one year.

Now, to me, the real issues isn't survival rates, because they are

clearly better with than without a transplant when you reach that time.

The issue is are you prepared to live life in the manner you must after

a transplant. It requires tremendous discipline. You take very strong

meds and they do affect you. Gwynne may make it look a lot easier than

it is. So it requires you to be 100% committed. You need to be prepared

to get counseling after as these meds can impact your mental health and

moods.

A transplant is not called a cure because it comes with its own set of

problems. Those most cynical call it trading one disease for another. I

think thats wrong as its really trading death for living with a

condition, that of post transplant. But its a life you need to want

badly because its not easy nor perfect. Gwynne did want hers enough to

do anything. Those like Kerry and Tina have so much to live for with

young children I'm sure they'd go through anything in the world to get

any extra time. One of the tests of how badly you want one is how well

you do the things required before.

>

> Well the doc's came in and talk me about what is going on I as told

> that I have smoking problems to from when used to . he will try to

> make me better with steroids > I was trying them when I as in the

> Hospital in Reno . They seemed to work . They also suggested a lung

> transplant if they could not make me better .I was not considering

that

> until they asked . I know it is not a easy operation . I am wondering

> the success rate . My brother had a hat valve put in bu that was years

> ago . They have come a long way since then , How may of you are in

line

> fr this ? I am only 61 and everything else seems to work fine . I

think

> the hospital I am in is great they dont try to mess around with this

> and that and are very straight forward God Bless you all Walt

>