Amy Glessner-Arnold's Page

What is your city / state and country of residence?

Hardy, VA-USA

How are you touched by transplantation?

I am a Recipient

If you are a recipient, what type of transplant did you receive?

Double Lung

Recipients: In this space, feel free to list those you are grateful to for receiving the Gift of LIfe:

I am grateful to GOD 1st and I am grateful to my donor family for thier generous and difficult decision to donate life through thier loss. I also am grateful to my transplant center and all who are involved in my continuing care.

If you are a recipient, what type of donor did you receive your Gift of Life from?

Deceased Donor

What is your principal transplant med(s)?

Prograf, Prednisone, Valcyte, Sulfa, Azithromycin

What is your hospital and, or doctor's name, city / state and country?

Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC-USA

What do you do for a living?

I worked in Ophthalmology all my adult life and now am retired from working. I am now training full-time in swimming for the US transplant olympics in 2010.

About Me: Please use this space to tell the community about yourself and your unique experience with transplantation:

I am a double lung transplant recipient. I was diagnosed at 2 with Cystic Fibrosis and my parents were told my life expectancy was 8. I stayed pretty healthy until I got into my 30's and started having lots of lung infections and a gradual drop in my lung function. At age 36 my lung function was down to 30% and they said my only alternative was a double-lung transplant so I became active on the donor registry. I recieved my new lungs 3 months after being active. My lung function had dropped all the way to 13% and I was pretty much living in the hospital on antibiotic IV's and breathing O2 24/7. I had a good transplant experience and was only in the hospital 8 days. I came off the ventilator within 5 hours of surgery. The first thing family and friends noticed was my skin was pink again. I did outpatient rehab for a month after surgery and currently swim 3-4 x week. I've had "speed bumps" along the way and have chronic rejection but remain physically active and have good quality of life. I don't complain knowing the alternative. I am so grateful to my donor and his family. I try to show my gratitude in everything I do and that is why I am swimming now. I swim for my donor. I am currently involved with the NC Lung Transplant Foundation that raises money for education and research for chronic rejection.

Please help us reach other members by telling us how you found Transplant Cafe:

I found out about the cafe through a Yahoo group, Duke Lung Transplant Survivors.

What is your relationship status?

Married

Entertainment: What is Your Favorite Type of Music, Bands, Movies, Art, Books, etc.?

I like swimming, football, scrapbooking, playing online poker, fishing, snow-skiing, boating. My favorite music is 80's, 90's Alternative and Classic Rock. I like reality TV and medical dramas and mob stuff, like Sopranos.....old stuff like Seinfeld, Friends and Andy Griffith reruns.

What is Your Favorite Quote(s)?

The Serentiy Prayer

My Facebook Page (copy and paste your profile page URL):

http://Amy Glessner-Arnold