Jennifer was born prematurely January 30th. 1987
at Mercy Hospital in Miami, Florida. She had to
be intubated immediately and transported to the
Intensive Care Unit at Miami Children's Hospital.
She was diagnosed with a condition called Bronchopulmonary
Dysplasia (BPD) which is a type of chronic lung
disease, that affects her breathing capacity.
She spent her first 22 months in the ICU, having
numerous surgeries performed, including cardiac,
gastro and pulmonary. She has also had several surgeries
insert chest tubes that help release and accumulation
of air in her chest.
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During 2001 her pulmonary function declined drastically
to about 18% (normal lung function is about 80%-100%)
increasing the urgency of a bilateral lung transplant
(both lungs).
If a lung transplant is not
done in a timely fashion, her lung function, which
has already worsened, will deteriorate to the point
that she will die. [For more details, see Dr.
Rub's letter).
The lung transplant is scheduled to be done at
St. Louis Children's Hospital.
There are two types of transplants:
• From a deceased donor. She is on
the waiting list which is about an 18 month wait.
• From a living donor. In this case
a lobar is transplanted from two different compatible
donors, one lobar from the right lung and one from
the left.
In order to become a donor, you have to contact
Ann M. Doyle (RN Pulmonary Nurse Coordinator SLH)
at 314-454-8728 or doylea@msnotes.wustl.edu.
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