My journey through a double lung transplant is one filled with miracles! Only God can make beauty out of tragedy. It’s by His grace I’m here to tell you this story. All my praise and thanksgiving goes to Him!
My Journey
At the age of 50, I was in what most would consider peak physical condition. I was a gym owner, a personal trainer, and a health and nutrition coach. I felt strong and was very pleased with what my body could accomplish as a “mature” woman. My diet was impeccable. I counted calories, monitored macros, and rarely ate foods that weren’t nutritious. I was the picture of health and living my purpose—helping others reach their health and fitness goals.
That was until everything changed in 2020.
After days of having shortness of breath, I visited a respiratory clinic on April 20, 2020. Doctors found my oxygen saturation at 69 percent. To put that in perspective, normal oxygen levels are between 95-100%. I was immediately taken by ambulance to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.
The following nine days were filled with tests searching for a diagnosis and fighting to bring my oxygen level up. The attempts for both of these were unsuccessful. On April 30, I was taken to ICU, put into an induced coma, and placed on life support.
I was diagnosed with an extremely rare autoimmune disease called Dermatomyositis with the marker Anti-PL-7, which attacks the muscles and lungs. The medical team knew a transplant might be required and worked diligently to get me transferred to where that could happen.
On May 12, I was airlifted to Duke University Hospital and placed on the lung transplant registry on May 20. I was blessed with a new, healthy set of lungs on May 25, 2020.
My Recovery
By the grace of God, my recovery has gone incredibly well to this point. Without His mercy and grace, I wouldn’t be where I am. I’ve become more aware of the miracles happening all around me. I’m also aware that the time and effort I invested in my health and fitness before these events have played a large part in my recovery.
I’m not cured. My transplant serves as a bandage, and the reality is no one knows how long it will hold. I’m prayerful this bandage will last for many years, but tomorrow is never promised. Whatever the future may bring, I will do my part to live every day chasing after God and encouraging others.
My Prayer
I pray you will never have to face trauma of any kind. But if you do, I pray you’ll put faith in God, the only One who can give miracles.
I pray my journey through transplant will inspire you to fight through any challenge placed in front of you. Fight hard! Don’t ever give up. God has a plan, and it’s always better than ours.
I pray you’ll invest in your health so you may live life to its fullest.
If you haven’t, I pray you’ll find the purpose for which you were created and be blessed as you live it!
To read more about my journey, visit the About page.
Lana what an amazing and beautiful story God has written for you. It brings tears of emotions and joy to see everything you have gone through and I feel very honored to be apart and witness your journey. Wish you God keep filling your life with health, love and energy to keep rocking your purpose.
Thank you, Rosy. I’m overwhelmed by the blessing of your friendship and support. My Tribe!!! ❤️
WOW! Lana’s strength and recovery are amazing and we are honored to have been a part of it. We are grateful you have let us into your lives. This video has brought us to tears of joy and we see what the hardest work can accomplish. We have been blessed by Lana and you and this journey of healing. Thank you for that. I cannot tell you how much we need to see this beautiful success right now. In Christ’s glory we are thankful for the opportunity to help heal.
Thank you for what you do! Nurses are amazing and called by God to their profession. I’m eternally grateful to everyone at Novant who had a role in my care. I’m here today because of each of you! May God bless you as you fight for us on the front lines.
Lana- I have just such a happy cry for you. I spent many hours in your room as the ecmo nurse. I prayed over you and I just stared at you knowing you would fight this. I also have an autoimmune disease- Crohns. It’s hard and it can make you feel very ill. But I would never think an autoimmune disease would lead to a double lung transplant in a month from being sick. You are an inspiration and your husband and daughters are just amazing people. They helped us get to know you. I just want to hug you and look at you in real people clothes! Keep up the strong work and oh my keep that awesome smile you have.
Hannah- My heart overflows with thanksgiving for you. Words will never be enough to express how grateful I am for what you did for me and my family. John speaks very highly of the Novant team and I can’t wait for the day I can officially meet each of you. In the mean time, take care of yourself. I learned very quickly that autoimmune diseases are no joke! You are a blessing!!
Hannah,
You, along with the rest of the team, were awesome as you kept Lana alive. While she has no memory of her time in ICU at Novant, I’ve shared so much of our experience there that I’m sure she has some feeling that she knows you. I will always be thankful for the time you spent with me one evening as we just talked. It was good medicine for my soul!