Sunday, May 25, 2014

Local VA helped extend my life.


My column in the WisconsinState Journal, Sunday, 5/25/14.

2 comments:

  1. Very well written, I am humbled :-)!

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  2. Mr. Hall,
    My dad also had IPF. He had a right lung transplant on Christmas day, two days after your transplant. He had a similar experience - oxygen-free post-transplant, doing great, going to pulmonary rehab, excited for his new life. He also suffered complications - pulmonary emboli, viral pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia. He succumbed to these complications on April 25, just 4 months after a transplant he hoped would help him thrive for years, if not decades.

    He was an absolute poster child for IPF - surviving 9 years post-diagnosis before being transplanted. His doctors at the UW loved working with him, as they knew that any recommendations they made would be followed 110%, with a smile and a good attitude. He was on a first name basis with doctors, nurses, PAs,respiratory therapists. Sent them post-cards while on vacation, brought them smoked fish he caught and prepared.

    I wish you a better outcome than my best friend, my dad, my hero. The world lost an incredible man on April 25, and your story held so many parallels that I wanted to reach out and thank you for sharing your story. I sincerely hope you join the 80% who survive the first year, so you may continue to advocate for the VA, for organ donation, for research and funding for IPF. Best of luck to you.

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