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York heart-lung transplant mum reunites with surgeon who saved her life 30 years ago

Carol Town, 63, whose heart and lungs were replaced in a life-saving transplant operation celebrates the 30th anniversary of her surgery by reuniting with Professor John Wallwork (left), the doctor who transformed her life. Photograph: Joe Giddens / PA
Thursday 27 July, 2017 @ 7.03 pm Health YorkMix
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A York woman whose heart and lungs were replaced in a life-saving transplant operation celebrated the 30th anniversary of her surgery by reuniting with the doctor who transformed her life.

Carol Town, 63, had hoped the operation at Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire, would give her four extra years of life – which “felt like a long time”.

Living life to the full 30 years later is something she did not think was possible, and has allowed her to have a son and watch him grow up, build a career and enjoy new sports such as horse-riding.

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Childhood illness

Born in Upminster, Essex, in 1954 and now living in York, Carol met her surgeon, Professor John Wallwork, now chairman of Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, at a celebratory reception at Pembroke College, Cambridge, on Thursday.

Carol was diagnosed with the rare condition Eisenmenger’s syndrome, which leads to irreversible lung damage, at the age of five.

At the time, there was nothing that could be done to treat the disease and most patients died before they reached 30.

She spent her childhood in and out of hospital, suffering extreme breathlessness, heart failure and later asthma.

Her health continued to deteriorate and she was told that her only hope for survival would be the development of a technique for heart-lung transplantation.

New lease of life

Doctor and patient at Pembroke College, Cambridge

Carol was referred to Papworth and while she waited 18 months for organs to become available, she was not able to travel further than two hours from there.

She was on the way home from work when she got a message from Papworth to say suitable organs had been identified for her transplant in July 1987.

Her surgery was a success and she was discharged in time for her fourth wedding anniversary in August 1987.

The treatment gave her a new lease of life and she quickly learned to run, swim, cycle and ride horses for the first time.

In December that year she climbed her first peak, Pen-y-Ghent in the Yorkshire Dales, and she later competed in the Transplant Games.

Despite further episodes of ill health, she went on to have a son, Joss, through a surrogate, and built a career in counselling.

So grateful for second chance

Carol was able to run, swim and climb after the successful surgery

Now retired, Carol is able to live life to the full and still walks and swims regularly.

“The transplant gave me so much,” she said. “It completely transformed my life and allowed me to do things I never thought possible, like see my son grow up and have a rewarding career.

“I’ll probably never know who it was who donated their heart and lungs to me but I am so grateful to them for giving me a second chance at life.”

Prof Wallwork said: “It is wonderful to see Carol celebrating the 30th anniversary of her heart-lung transplant at Papworth Hospital.

Newspaper cuttings from when Carol had her heart and lungs replaced

“Carol’s operation took place just a few years after I performed the first successful heart-lung transplant in Europe, but since then we have carried out more than a thousand life-saving transplants here at Papworth.

“As a surgeon it is incredibly rewarding to see a former patient enjoy such a good quality of life 30 years after surgery and I wish Carol many healthy and happy years to come.”

Mrs Town hopes her story will inspire more people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.

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Barbaraa Fenocchi
3 years ago

I was diagnosed of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in 2012 at the age of 63. I had been a heavy smoker, my symptoms started out with dry cough and shortness of breath, i ended up in the hospital, on a ventilator. I should have known it was coming, but like most smokers, thought it would never happen to me. My COPD got significantly worse and unbearable because of my difficulty catching breath. Last year, i started on a natural COPD Herbal therapy from Natural Herbal Gardens, i read a lot of positive reviews from patients who used the treatment and i immediately started on it. I had great relief with this herbal treatment. I breath very much better now, no case of shortness of breath or chest tightness since treatment. Visit Natural Herbal Gardens website ww w. naturalherbalgardens. com. This COPD treatment is a miracle!!

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Pamela Wayans
4 years ago

I have had ASTHMA my whole life but about 7 years ago my asthma got so bad and was diagnosed of EMPHYSEMA/COPD which was most likely due to the asthma. I was on double antibiotics and steroids, still didn’t feel any better. My lungs were constantly wheezing in all four chambers, i already used Advair, Spiriva, and Albuterol in my nebulizer, they just didn’t do much. It was hell for me due to the severe difficulty breathing. My sister in-law told us about Rich Herbs Foundation where she ordered herbs that effectively treated her arthritis. We ordered their COPD TREATMENT after reading alot of positive reviews from other patients, i am happy to report the COPD TREATMENT was very effective for my lungs condition, every one of my symptoms including difficulty breathing, respiratory infections, chronic cough and wheezing has simply stopped. Visit www. richherbsfoundation. com. I will be 52 soon and have never been healthier

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Pamela Wayans
4 years ago

I have had ASTHMA my whole life but about 7 years ago my asthma got so bad and was diagnosed of EMPHYSEMA/COPD which was most likely due to the asthma. I was on double antibiotics and steroids, still didn’t feel any better. My lungs were constantly wheezing in all four chambers, i already used Advair, Spiriva, and Albuterol in my nebulizer, they just didn’t do much. April 2016 my sister in-law told us about Rich Herbs Foundation where she ordered herbs that effectively treated her arthritis. We ordered their COPD herbal treatment after reading alot of positive reviews, i am happy to report this COPD herbal treatment reversed my lungs condition. My quality of life has greatly improved and every one of my symptoms including difficulty breathing and wheezing are gone. Their official web page is ww w. richherbsfoundation. c om. I will be 52 soon and have never been healthier!

0

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