According to a story from the Irish Times, Orla Tinsley was on the precipice of death before she received her lung transplant to treat her cystic fibrosis. She had to wait for nine months in order to get one, and six days before the operation, she had to be admitted to the hospital. By then, Orla had practically accepted that her time was limited.

About Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a disorder that can have impacts throughout the body but is most characterized by the accumulation of abnormally thick, sticky mucus in the lungs. This mucus becomes a fertile habitat for infectious bacteria, and as a result, cystic fibrosis patients are often taking antibiotics for much of their lives. This disorder is caused by mutations affecting the CFTR gene. Symptoms of cystic fibrosis include coughing up mucus, progressive decline in lung function, fatty stool, poor growth, male infertility, sinus infections, and clubbed digits. Recognizable signs and symptoms begin to appear by six months. Treatment can involve antibiotics and medications and procedures to maintain lung function. A transplant is a viable option for patients with severe disease, but it is not a cure. Life expectancy is into the 40s or 50s with good care. To learn more about cystic fibrosis, click here.

Orla’s Story

Orla did her best to maintain a healthy attitude while mentally preparing herself for the possibility that she was close to death’s door. Once she was officially a transplant candidate, it was now up to her and to stay healthy enough to receive one in the meantime. Another friend of Orla’s, named Josie, also has cystic fibrosis and had gotten a transplant a few months before. The support of the cystic fibrosis community was a valuable resource for Orla.

It was around Christmas when Orla had finally gotten the transplant. As her new lungs began to function on their own, the plague of being hooked up to oxygen and other life support would soon be a thing of the past, at least for now. The entire experience had been one of the most challenging and difficult of Orla’s life so far, but now, she has never been more thankful to be alive.

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