Next Avenue Logo
Advertisement
Sponsored By: Humana Inc.

How One Woman Got in Shape for a Double Lung Transplant

Despite struggling with COPD, she was able to get her life back

By Humana Inc.
A woman wearing a red shirt sitting in her home. Next Avenue
Credit: Photo courtesy of Jane F.

It was hard enough for Jane F. to hear she needed a double lung transplant. Then came the kicker: she was told she would have to get in better shape to qualify. Not an easy task for a woman who was struggling with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and in and out of the hospital, leaving her feeling depleted and at the lowest point of her life. 

COPD includes a group of conditions that cause airflow blockages to the lungs and make breathing difficult. While treatments can help many people live with the disease, for some it results in extensive and irreversible damage to the lungs and the need for a single or double lung transplant. More than 1,000 lung transplants are done each year for patients with severe COPD

Given how seriously debilitated Jane was, she hoped to be one of them. But the requirement she would have to meet to get on the transplant list seemed daunting. She would need to walk 1,000 feet in six minutes, which to Jane sounded as challenging as climbing Mount Everest. "My chances of passing that fitness test were close to zero, and my hope of getting my health and life back was slipping away," Jane said. 

Then she got a call that changed everything.  

Stacy, a nurse from Jane's Humana Medicare Advantage plan, assured her she was going to help Jane get healthy enough to qualify for that lung transplant. One of the first things Stacy did was arrange for Jane to get physical therapy in her home rather than having to go to a facility and be in an environment where she would be more at risk for infection. 

Respiratory infections are a common complication for people with COPD who are more susceptible to catching a cold, flu or pneumonia, any of which can cause further damage to their lungs. For Jane, a respiratory infection would have made it that much more difficult to get strong enough to meet the criteria for a lung transplant and could threaten her chances of making it on the transplant list. 

Advertisement

Having the energy to work on her physical conditioning was one thing. But Jane had little strength left to arrange for her various medical appointments and keep track of the medications she was taking. COPD patients are commonly prescribed a combination of five to eight different oral and inhaled medications, many requiring different dosing patterns, making it a consuming part of life. Jane was able to rely on Stacy to help her work with her doctors and pharmacists to ensure she was on the right medication regimen.  

It was a good thing too; some mistakes had been made that needed to be corrected. Having assistance in coordinating her medical care made it possible for Jane to worry less and focus more on getting stronger. 

Jane worked hard on her physical training, which included aerobic, resistance and flexibility exercises. But getting fit is not just physical, it is also mental.  

Being able to express her worries and concerns to Stacy and to feel that she had someone to support her emotionally was also essential to Jane's strengthening process. "She encouraged me and was absolutely my lifeline," said Jane. 

With Stacy's help, within six months, Jane was strong enough to take the steps needed to pass her fitness test. The surgery was a success. Jane is now living the life she hoped for with two new lungs. She even takes joy with the little things in life, such as being able to wash dishes. "My lung transplant gave me my life again," Jane said joyfully.  

Your results may vary. It may not be typical to improve health conditions by taking the actions Jane did. 

Humana Inc.
By Humana Inc.

Humana Inc. is committed to helping our millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health. Our successful history in care delivery and health plan administration is helping us create a new kind of integrated care with the power to improve health and well-being and lower costs. Our efforts are leading to a better quality of life for people with Medicare, families, individuals, military service personnel, and communities at large.

Advertisement
Next Avenue LogoMeeting the needs and unleashing the potential of older Americans through media
©2024 Next AvenuePrivacy PolicyTerms of Use
A nonprofit journalism website produced by:
TPT Logo