It’s been almost three years since Anne Hurding had her double lung transplant on April 19, 2023. She was in the hospital and it was not certain whether she would survive long enough for the right lungs to become available.
As a small woman, she was especially fortunate to receive two lungs from a compatible donor in the right size. Often women receive just one lung, because of the difficulty of finding compatible, smaller lungs.
On St. Patrick’s Day last month, Suzanne and her parents Anne and Brian went to a tavern for sticky toffee pudding and to watch some Irish dancing. Her parents wore the Aran (traditional Irish) sweater and cardigan that Suzanne had knit for each of them.
“It’s been such a blessing to have had three more St. Patrick’s days with both of them, than I thought I would,” says Suzanne.
Overall, Anne, now 75, is doing well. She no longer needs oxygen and her husband Brian, her primary caregiver, feels able to leave Anne at home with a caregiver as needed and watch legal proceedings at the courthouse (a favorite pastime) and meet up with friends regularly.
Back in 2023, the other Hurding adult daughter Lorraine and her daughter Emma, moved from Switzerland, into a new home with Brian and Anne in Burlington, banding together as a care team for Anne. Suzanne moved across town into the former family home close by in Oakville. (Read the April 2023 article on how the Hurding family formed their caregiver team.)
Life changed for everyone after Anne’s transplant
Everyone’s lives have changed in the years since the transplant. Granddaughter Emma is taking a “gap” year, working at a funeral home, until she moves to Edinburgh for law school in September. The family’s Irish humour kicks in when discussing her job! Emma’s mother Lorraine has returned to her work in Switzerland, staying in touch with her daughter, parents, and sister.
Things with Anne are not perfect, or like they were before she lived with IPF. There have been a few hospitalizations, but the times in between, living the “new normal,” are longer, reports Suzanne.
“The transplant team at Toronto General is very clear about managing patient and family expectations. Recipients will be trading one disease for another set of challenges as a transplant recipient,” says Suzanne.
There are still drugs to take, some with side effects. Precautions against infections still need to be observed, especially with immune suppressing drugs. There are regular check ups and tests. Anne has also experienced some memory loss, but has an excellent caregiver, who has become a friend, from the Alzheimer Society.
Overall, her quality of life is much better now than in 2023. She has been enjoying a renewed social life, attending neighbourhood events and even traveled to Massachusetts to attend a family wedding.
CPFF supporters for life
Suzanne and Brian are very grateful for all the support they received from the CPFF National Caregivers Support Group. They were both regular participants as the family coped with the aggressive progression of Anne’s IPF.
“It was so helpful. We will forever be supporters of CPFF and the work they do,” says Suzanne.