Rosemary's Transplant Recovery

Many may not be aware that Rosemary has been battling Interstitial Lung Disease for over 8 years now. Over time, her wellness declined and she began wearing oxygen full-time in 2014, forcing her to give up many of her normal day to day hobbies and activities. Despite her illness, mom persevered and continued to work full-time as a dental assistant at the Correctional Training Facility until taking medical leave in November 2017.

Interstitial lung disease is a rare lung condition that cause chronic breathlessness. The major problem is the inflammation of the lung tissue leads to scarring that interferes with the ability of the lungs to deliver oxygen. While symptoms can be managed with steroids and the usage of oxygen, mom was diagnosed with end stage illness in April 2017. After months of being in and out of the hospital, on Sunday, January 14, she graciously received a lung transplant from a donor. 

The road to recovery is long and difficult. Post-transplant at Stanford requires rehabilitation and weekly visits to evaluate her new lungs. This phase requires significant time and resources. We are so gracious for the incredible team of healthcare providers at Stanford, and the remarkable community of family and friends who continue to make this journey possible.