On my lungs’ 5-year anniversary, I’m thankful for every breath

This Labor Day weekend marks five years since I received the gift of a double-lung transplant. Actually, it happened on Sept. 5, 2020, but that was the Saturday before Labor Day that year, so I tend to equate the holiday with my surgery. I’m writing this column as my anniversary approaches, and I can think of no better time to pause, reflect, and give thanks.

To say I feel blessed would be an understatement. I’m overwhelmed by the magnitude of grace that’s sustained me. Each breath I take is a reminder of the miracle of the providence of God and the selfless generosity of Mitchell, my donor. Mitchell’s gift gave me life, and I carry him with me in every inhalation and exhalation. It’s a sacred exchange that continues to fill me with wonder.

After all this time, I marvel at how beautifully my lungs still function; even my doctors are amazed. Every single day I feel the strength my lungs provide as I move with purpose, laugh without reservation, and live with renewed vigor. Sometimes, in fact, I catch myself forgetting that I was once so sick with cystic fibrosis (CF). Many times I feel as if my body has been restored to a younger, healthier version, and I realize that I again have the energy and capacity to embrace life fully — without gasping for breath.

I don’t take that feeling for granted, not for a single day.

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Living life grateful

Gratitude doesn’t just fill me; it overflows from every corner of my being. It’s present in the magnificent moments, like stepping outside on a crisp morning and drawing the autumn air deeply into my lungs, or dancing and celebrating with abandon and vitality alongside my family.

But it’s equally present in life’s smallest mercies, even the ordinary aches and pains that accompany growing older. For so many years, I feared I might never have the privilege of experiencing those mundane signs of aging. Now, every stiff joint or sore muscle feels like a badge of survival. They’re tangible reminders that I’m still here, still living, still blessed beyond measure. I won’t even take Tylenol for this minor discomfort, because I treasure the blessing of feeling it.

Life after my transplant has also fundamentally transformed my perspective on what it means to be alive. I cherish the moments I’m active, but I’ve also learned to embrace the quieter interludes of rest with equal reverence. After all, the simple ability to breathe easily during those peaceful pauses is an extraordinary gift. Whether I’m running daily errands, savoring family time, or simply sitting in contemplative silence, I’m acutely aware of how fragile and precious life is, and how profoundly blessed I am to be here.

This September, my heart threatens to burst with this gratitude as I prepare for the joyous occasion of my daughter’s wedding. To be well enough, strong enough, and present enough to witness this sacred milestone fills me with indescribable joy. Just a few short years ago, I lived in the shadow of uncertainty; I didn’t know if I’d see this precious day. Knowing that I will brings me to tears.

As I stand on the threshold of this wedding feeling healthy, grateful, and surrounded by love, I’m reminded that I’m not just witnessing my daughter’s new beginning, but celebrating a continued miracle for both of us. The mother who will be alongside her daughter on her wedding day is not the same woman who was oxygen-dependent and fighting for each breath. I’m a testament to second chances, the power of hope, and the incredible gift of being fully, vibrantly alive.

I share all of that not to boast in my good fortune, but to honor those who made it possible. There’s Mitchell, whose ultimate generosity gave me this second chance at life. The doctors, nurses, and others on my dedicated care team, who’ve walked faithfully with me on this journey. My beloved family, who never wavered in their hope and never gave up on my health. And above all, there’s God, whose abundant blessings have sustained and strengthened me through every season of this extraordinary journey.

As I celebrate this fifth anniversary of new life, I hope my story will inspire others who may be struggling in their own darkness, waiting for their breakthrough, wondering if brighter days are possible. I am living, breathing proof that even in our most desperate hours, light and hope can break through the deepest shadows. With every blessed breath I take, I am thankful.

Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.