which the lungs become scarred . “ Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by exposure to toxins , certain medications , and some medical conditions ,” she said . “ When we can ’ t find the cause of the fibrosis , it ’ s called idiopathic .”
There are medications that can slow down the progression of IPF scarring , but the existing damage is irreversible , Dr . Rusanov said . “ Because IPF progresses , the expected length of survival is three to five years ,” she said . “ Lung transplantation is the only therapy that can prolong the patient ’ s life while improving their quality of life .”
After her diagnosis , Tunnell went home with medications and supplemental oxygen . “ It was a rude awakening ,” she said . “ I had episodes where my breathing would fall off suddenly , and I never knew when that would occur ,” she said .
Understanding the path others are on is the key to Tunnell ’ s effectiveness . “ Lung transplantation isn ’ t a cookie-cutter surgery ,” she said . “ It ’ s not like getting a new part put in during a knee replacement .” In one case , she shared her post-transplant experience with an Auburn , Ala ., woman who also had IPF . “ I would visit her in the hospital while I was going to cardiopulmonary rehab ,” Tunnell said . “ I talked to her about how medications affect you , tips for taking medications , and the year-long process of having your medications tweaked and stabilized .”
Tunnell stands ready to help anyone and everyone , but she ’ s also clear-eyed about the challenges . “ A friend who got his lungs two months after I did died five months later ,” she said . Another of her friends was in the process of qualifying for surgery but suffered a small stroke that disqualified him , and he later died . “ They have statistics for a reason ,” she said . “ Some people don ’ t make it .”
ORGANS – LUNG
In 2020 , Tunnell ’ s lung function dropped below 60 %, then she turned to the UAB CTI for care . She got the call to come in for her transplant in May 2021 . “ It was a miracle that I got my lungs on the first call ,” she said . Tunnell and her husband , Lewis , had just bought a house , movers were scheduled to arrive the day she had surgery . “ Lewis got us moved while I was in Birmingham ,” she recalled .
The timing of Tunnell ’ s wait time and surgery was impacted by COVID-19 . Transplant patient support groups were suspended during the pandemic , so she felt alone while waiting for her transplant . “ I didn ’ t have anyone to talk to ,” she recalled , crediting her husband with helping her through the ordeal . “ Because of COVID-19 restrictions , he had to sit alone at UAB Hospital during my 12-hour surgery ,” she said .
Paying it forward Determined not to let others suffer from a lack of support , Tunnell spends a great deal of time helping other people on their own transplant journey . “ I meet them in clinics , I meet them in ICU after surgery , and I have a special connection with them ,” she said . She has offered her phone number to the UAB CTI transplant coordinator to share with patients who need to talk , and she speaks with patients who are preparing for a transplant . “ I ’ m drawn to people on oxygen ,” she said . “ I know what they ’ re going through .”
Tackling challenges with pride Dr . Rusanov is proud of the UAB CTI ’ s lung transplant program , as well as the team ’ s resolve in serving a changing patient population . “ A high percentage of our patients have connective tissue disease or genetic pulmonary fibrosis and are prone to complications because of other organ involvement ,” she said . “ Underserved patients who need multi-organ transplants – such as heart-lung , lung-liver , and lung-kidney procedures – are referred to us from Mississippi , Louisiana , and all parts of Alabama .”
Tunnell was 63 years old when she received her double lung transplant , but 65 is the average age of those diagnosed with IPF . The average age at transplant approaches 70 . “ Because people live longer , stay stronger , and have better medical care , their biological age is younger ,” Dr . Rusanov said . “ Our ability to perform the surgery and deliver critical care management has evolved and improved , so we get better transplant outcomes in our older patient group .”
Between her transplant and COVID-19 precautions , it took Tunnell a while to return to a new normal . Still , she looks at her glass as half full . Last year , she went to a Mississippi waterpark to swim with her grandson , and she and Lewis have planned an RV trip to Chattanooga , Tenn ., and Bowling Green , Ky . “ My new lungs have been a blessing from God ,” she said .
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