| When lung disease has advanced to the point that | | | | Once you have undergone the screening process |
| the victim will likely die within one or two years, | | | | and been accepted to a given facility's program, |
| replacing the organ is necessary to prolong the | | | | the transplant staff will help prepare you for |
| patient's life. Medications are no longer effective | | | | receiving a new organ. This is done prior to a |
| for controlling the disease. Even devices that help | | | | donor organ becoming available. That way, you'll |
| the patient breathe are insufficient. The diseased | | | | be ready to react quickly when the time comes. |
| organ is removed and replaced with a lung | | | | The Frustration Of Waiting |
| transplant (LT). The challenge is finding a suitable | | | | Because there is no established date at which a |
| donor. | | | | lung transplant will become available, waiting can |
| Less than 2,000 LTs are performed each year. | | | | be frustrating. Each week that passes brings |
| This is due largely to a dearth of donors. | | | | added concern that your lung disease will |
| Recipients are placed on a waiting list in anticipation | | | | overwhelm you before a donor emerges. With |
| of receiving a healthy lung that will preserve their | | | | that in mind, you should do everything possible to |
| life. Given their short life expectancy, it is a race | | | | remain prepared. |
| against time. | | | | Unless your doctor instructs you otherwise, |
| In this article, we'll explain the process of applying | | | | continue taking your medications as prescribed. If |
| for and being accepted onto the recipient waiting | | | | you smoke, quit. Modify your diet and exercise |
| list. We'll also describe the factors that dictate | | | | routine to dovetail with your doctor's |
| whether you will eventually receive a transplant. | | | | recommendations. If he or she has suggested |
| Applying And Getting Accepted | | | | breathing exercises, perform them. |
| Your doctor will help you decide whether an LT is | | | | You should also make sure your family |
| the only option, and whether you are fit enough | | | | understands what they need to do in the event |
| to accept the new organ. If both are true, your | | | | that a donor organ becomes available. Time is |
| doctor can recommend you for the Organ | | | | critical. Reacting quickly can dramatically improve |
| Procurement and Transplantation Network's | | | | your chances of successfully receiving the lung |
| (OPTN) list. You will need to go through a | | | | transplant. Pack a suitcase and establish a way for |
| screening process to confirm whether you are a | | | | the medical center's staff to contact you |
| good candidate for the list. | | | | immediately if they expect to receive a |
| Not all hospitals perform lung transplants. The | | | | replacement organ. |
| operations are typically done in large medical | | | | When you finally receive the call that a donor lung |
| facilities that support a complete transplant staff, | | | | has become available, visit the transplant center. |
| including a thoracic surgeon, cardiologist, and | | | | The nurses and doctors will conduct a few last |
| pulmonologist. In most cases, you'll need to apply | | | | tests to ensure a good match before preparing |
| directly to a specific medical facility's program. | | | | you for surgery. |
| Waiting For A Suitable Organ | | | | |