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Jim's Transplant Journey
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Hey, Jim! What, Exactly, is Wrong With You?
I was born with a condition called Alpha 1 Anti-Trypsin Defiency (or Alpha 1, for short). This is a genetic (hereditary) condition that is passed from parents to their children.
When I was born, way back in 1964, Alpha 1 had only been discovered a year before, so there was no way of knowing my parents were carriers or that two of their children - my sister Sue and I - would have it.
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Alpha 1 can affect the liver or the lungs. My sister and I are both "lung affected." This means our livers are fine, but our lungs have essentially been destroyed by Alpha 1.
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That's why I need a double lung transplant. And soon.
Currently, I have only 17% lung function and am in what my doctors call "end stage lung disease."
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Who Should Know More About Alpha 1?
Honestly, I think everybody should be aware of Alpha 1. You never know who may be affected by it. . . a friend, a family member, your child, yourself.
But people diagnosed with COPD or liver disease should be especially informed of Alpha 1, because it could very well be the reason behind their condition.