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Woman takes her first breath after lung transplant
After suffering from cystic fibrosis her entire life, Jennifer finally gets to take a deep breath.
Caryl Jane Espiritu
04.12.21

Okay, before reading on, you might want to take a deep breath.

Yes, this story will make you appreciate that simple act of breathing deeply, something that Jennifer Jones thought she won’t be able to do anymore…until someone donated her a new pair of lungs.

Jennifer was just a little girl when she was first tested for Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that leads to the mucus of the lungs getting thick and blocking the airways over time. Back then, the results came back as negative.

All throughout her life, Jennifer would have frequent coughs and she had always trouble with breathing. Those were diagnosed as asthma and allergies and were treated as such. She was not aware that the result from her childhood CF test was actually a false negative.

Posted by Jennifer's First Breath Lung Transplant Journey onTuesday, April 24, 2018

Around 12 years ago, Jennifer’s second child was experiencing the same symptoms and was brought to the doctor to be evaluated. Her son’s CF test results came back positive. The doctor was quite concerned after seeing Jennifer’s frequent coughing and told her to get herself checked.

As it turned out, Jennifer tested positive for cystic fibrosis. Her initial tests indicated that she had 65% lung function.

Since then, Jennifer started her daily medication, breathing treatments and routine hospital admissions for about once or twice a year to try to keep her healthy for as long as possible. It was not an easy journey.

Days passed by and Jennifer could slowly feel her health declining. She was growing weaker each day, but her condition considerably worsened on October 2016. As a result, Jennifer had to be on oxygen all the time.

A year later, in October 2017, Jennifer had to be fully hospitalized because her lungs were very weak. It was a difficult time, but Jennifer had the love and support she needed. her fiancé, Rob Ronnenberg, never left her side.

She received the devastating news that her lungs is now only at 10.8% capacity, but she did not give up because she knew it was only a matter of time before she will be healed. Her positivity shines through, despite all the challenges that came her way.

And true enough, her hopeful heart did not end up in disappointment. On the afternoon of that same day, Jennifer heard about the news. She was going to have a new pair of lungs!

YouTube
Source:
YouTube

It was a bittersweet moment. She is happy to have her prayers answered, but she wept for the stranger who donated her lungs to her. But there was too little time let her mind sink in the current situation. Before she knew it, she was already on her way to surgery.

Rob stayed with her and helped her recuperate after getting her new set of lungs. It was a successful operation, something that the couple is very, very thankful for.

Finally, the day came for Jennifer to breathe on her own with the help of her new lungs.

YouTube
Source:
YouTube

A video was uploaded by Rob on his YouTube channel to share to the world the incredible moment. People online were utterly amazed and inspired by the strength showed by Jennifer and the wonderful effects of organ donation in people’s lives.

The moment she took a breath for the first time without the assistance of any equipment is simply moving. She fought hard against her condition, and she finally won.

By sharing Jennifer’s amazing story, Rob and Jennifer hope to inspire other people to be organ donors. The impact this has on the lives of the people who got to have another shot at life is staggering.

For those who want to register as organ donors, you may click this link for more information.

After the successful operation, Rob and Jennifer finally tied the knot. Their wedding was televised live in February 2019 on the Lifetime network with David Tutera. Life has been good to the married couple and they are very thankful for all the people who loved and supported them, most especially to Lacey, the lung donor whom they never met but someone they will forever remember.

Know more about this inspiring story by watching the video below.

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