Congrats on your lung transplant. Im so glad you are feeling so much better and are having a speedy recovery. Take Care! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
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I got my transplant
- Thread starter summer732
- Start date
Its so incredible to hear about someone recieving their lung transplant FINALLY!! I'm so excited for you and your family. To hear about someone recieving their new lungs gives a lot of us hope. Hopefully your recovery is a speedy one, take care and you and your family are in my prayers.
Julie,
Being concerned about the scars is normal.... but post tx the folks realize it is a small price to pay and that it is worth it. With time the scar diminishes wonderfully. I know that mine has. The chest tube scars are the bigger scares.
The great thing is I can wear a bikini if I want, and most likely no one would see the scars.... but I would rather they did see them... how proud I am
Okay, now for some scars..... here are several sites you can see scars... Also several sites you can see the old lungs and the new lungs... they are not pretty, but very interesting..
http://www.gilbertstoddard.ca/
go to pictures
http://www.olivija.com/melissa/
http://www.olivija.com/melissa2/
http://www.lungsfornatasha.com/
go to pictures...click on the woman standing and putting hand through hair on the left hand side...
http://www.rachel.webdare.com/
Those are a few of the sites.... I have more if you need more!!
Joanne Schum
Joanne M. Schum
Cystic Fibrosis
Bi-lateral Lung Transplant Recipient
September 12, 1997
University of North Carolina Hospitals Chapel Hill
Residence: Upstate New York
email: luckylungsforjo@aol.com
Manager of: Transplant Support - Lung, Heart/Lung, Heart
http://groups.msn.com/TransplantSupportLungHeartLungHeart
"Taking Flight - Inspirational Stories of Lung Transplantation"
Compiled by Joanne Schum
Authored by lung recipients around the world
http://www.trafford.com/robots/02-0497.html
http://www.trafford.com/
The Holidays are here. Want to start your shopping early? Why not shop
for great gifts and help those with cystic fibrosis! Check out our CF
Shop and shop until your hearts content...
http://www.lungsforlife.org/other_ways/lfl_store.htm
Lungs for Life Foundation
http://www.lungsforlife.org
Joanne's Bracelet, Transplant Awareness Bracelet, CF Awareness Bracelet
http://www.lungsforlife.org/other_ways/lfl_store.htm
Being concerned about the scars is normal.... but post tx the folks realize it is a small price to pay and that it is worth it. With time the scar diminishes wonderfully. I know that mine has. The chest tube scars are the bigger scares.
The great thing is I can wear a bikini if I want, and most likely no one would see the scars.... but I would rather they did see them... how proud I am
Okay, now for some scars..... here are several sites you can see scars... Also several sites you can see the old lungs and the new lungs... they are not pretty, but very interesting..
http://www.gilbertstoddard.ca/
go to pictures
http://www.olivija.com/melissa/
http://www.olivija.com/melissa2/
http://www.lungsfornatasha.com/
go to pictures...click on the woman standing and putting hand through hair on the left hand side...
http://www.rachel.webdare.com/
Those are a few of the sites.... I have more if you need more!!
Joanne Schum
Joanne M. Schum
Cystic Fibrosis
Bi-lateral Lung Transplant Recipient
September 12, 1997
University of North Carolina Hospitals Chapel Hill
Residence: Upstate New York
email: luckylungsforjo@aol.com
Manager of: Transplant Support - Lung, Heart/Lung, Heart
http://groups.msn.com/TransplantSupportLungHeartLungHeart
"Taking Flight - Inspirational Stories of Lung Transplantation"
Compiled by Joanne Schum
Authored by lung recipients around the world
http://www.trafford.com/robots/02-0497.html
http://www.trafford.com/
The Holidays are here. Want to start your shopping early? Why not shop
for great gifts and help those with cystic fibrosis! Check out our CF
Shop and shop until your hearts content...
http://www.lungsforlife.org/other_ways/lfl_store.htm
Lungs for Life Foundation
http://www.lungsforlife.org
Joanne's Bracelet, Transplant Awareness Bracelet, CF Awareness Bracelet
http://www.lungsforlife.org/other_ways/lfl_store.htm
I
IG
Guest
Margaret, my doctor recommended Aloe Vera for me, to help get rid of the scaring, Vitamin E is fine too, but check with your doctor if you're going to use something like Mederma, a scar.. healing lotion. (spelling?) Anyway I've found that the Aloe Vera is easier, less.. oily than the Vitamin E.
ClashPunk82
New member
I was using maderma for some scars on my back, but I didn't ask my doc about it, is that bad? what does it do to ya?
Nicole 22 CF
Nicole 22 CF
I
IG
Guest
I don't know that it does anything to you, my doctor just said that he'd prefer something like Vitamin E or Aloe Vera (more natural), especially on an incision like that. That might have been my doctors opinion though.
Joann,
I visited those sites you posted, thank you by the way they showed us exactly what we were wanting to see. My husband is curious, but a little to embarrassed to post his question on the site so I guess I will ask for him. He would like to know if anyone has seen a plastic surgeon after a lung transplant and after the scars heal, to cover up/conceal the scars better? We have finally got to the point where he is willing to just talk about maybe possibly considering a tx in the future-maybe <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> (yes the repetativeness is intentional), but he seems to be hung up on the scar issue and I don't want to 'scold' him, because if I was in his shoes I might just have the same question. He thinks it makes him sound a little vain, but we are making progress on this issue so I am not about to say anything to shoot him down. Anybody ever heard of this?
Julie
I visited those sites you posted, thank you by the way they showed us exactly what we were wanting to see. My husband is curious, but a little to embarrassed to post his question on the site so I guess I will ask for him. He would like to know if anyone has seen a plastic surgeon after a lung transplant and after the scars heal, to cover up/conceal the scars better? We have finally got to the point where he is willing to just talk about maybe possibly considering a tx in the future-maybe <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> (yes the repetativeness is intentional), but he seems to be hung up on the scar issue and I don't want to 'scold' him, because if I was in his shoes I might just have the same question. He thinks it makes him sound a little vain, but we are making progress on this issue so I am not about to say anything to shoot him down. Anybody ever heard of this?
Julie
Julie,
Most of the scars you saw pictured in those web sites were only weeks or days after tx.... they will lessen. I have to struggle to see my scars.... but it makes perfect sense to be concerned and self conscious about them.
Yes, I do know one woman who had plastic surgery post tx. I think it was not looked at as " the ideal thing to do" as the possible infection rate was higher for her.
You are wonderful not to get on your husband about the scars. It could be with time he will resolve the issue, or come up with a solution on how he wants to deal with it. From the guys I know, they love their scars.
I attend the transplant games every 2 years and the local team of transplant athletes meet for months ahead of the events, to practice our sports and raise money. One of the biggest, best, most exciting events is when everyone shows off their scars!!! All the guys are trying to outdo the next. I am always asked if I am going to show my scar ( I have been the only woman lung recipient on the team) and I always give a look of disgust. I said you are all single and married men and that is not appropriate to do.... LOL. They know where my scar is, as I have described it to them. I also tell them the only look the get is when I play volleyball and play with a sports bra. I guess that is enough for them. It is all in fun.
Maybe, what might help your husband is once he is more comfortable about lung tx, if he told a sibling, or relative about the scar, and he hears from them "cool". Then when he tells some friends about the scar and again hears "cool". he might be much more at ease.
Good luck and glad the pictures were helpful.
Joanne Schum
Most of the scars you saw pictured in those web sites were only weeks or days after tx.... they will lessen. I have to struggle to see my scars.... but it makes perfect sense to be concerned and self conscious about them.
Yes, I do know one woman who had plastic surgery post tx. I think it was not looked at as " the ideal thing to do" as the possible infection rate was higher for her.
You are wonderful not to get on your husband about the scars. It could be with time he will resolve the issue, or come up with a solution on how he wants to deal with it. From the guys I know, they love their scars.
I attend the transplant games every 2 years and the local team of transplant athletes meet for months ahead of the events, to practice our sports and raise money. One of the biggest, best, most exciting events is when everyone shows off their scars!!! All the guys are trying to outdo the next. I am always asked if I am going to show my scar ( I have been the only woman lung recipient on the team) and I always give a look of disgust. I said you are all single and married men and that is not appropriate to do.... LOL. They know where my scar is, as I have described it to them. I also tell them the only look the get is when I play volleyball and play with a sports bra. I guess that is enough for them. It is all in fun.
Maybe, what might help your husband is once he is more comfortable about lung tx, if he told a sibling, or relative about the scar, and he hears from them "cool". Then when he tells some friends about the scar and again hears "cool". he might be much more at ease.
Good luck and glad the pictures were helpful.
Joanne Schum
I actually got my transplant at Ochsner Medical Center in Louisiana. I'm from New Jersey so I had to relocate. The reason we chose this center is because the list is extremely short. I got my first call for lungs only 12 days after being on the list! They turned out to have developed pneumonia and couldn't be used but only 12 days is unbelievable. In total I was listd from July 2nd until November 10th when I got the call. The team is absolutely wonderful and since its such a small center they are picky about who they take so keep yourself in shape! If you need any more info just let me know!
ClashPunk82
New member
Wow that was really quick. Here you have to be on the llist for 2 years before you can have one.
Nicole 22 CF
Nicole 22 CF
Nicole-
I was originally listed at UPenn and was going to have to wait the two years. But I didn't think i was going to make the two years so thankfully we found someone in our town with CF who had a transplant down here 8 years ago! She told us about this place and we came right down. She only waited 4 months! So just in case anyone is out there who needs a transplant this center is fabulous.
Margaret
I was originally listed at UPenn and was going to have to wait the two years. But I didn't think i was going to make the two years so thankfully we found someone in our town with CF who had a transplant down here 8 years ago! She told us about this place and we came right down. She only waited 4 months! So just in case anyone is out there who needs a transplant this center is fabulous.
Margaret
ClashPunk82
New member
I liive in weymouth, Ma and I go to Children's in Boston. I have to wait 2 years before I can get one but at the moment I'm not too sick but I still think that's too long of a wait for someone .
Nicole 22 CF
Nicole 22 CF
ClashPunk82
New member
I can't. I laso have a brother with CF and another brother who is mentally retarded so I think it would be too hard to do, but at this point I am doing well so there is no need for one now I just want to be on the list in case in 2 years I do need one.
Nicole 22 CF
Nicole 22 CF