Lung Transplants should you go for it!

I am writing this blog for those people who have to make this life altering decision,and yet are unsure or are scared to take this step,of course decisions that are so life threatening are individual choices you alone will make,but hopefully my story will give you the courage and most importantly a promise of returning to your former life of happiness and dignity.In 1999 I developed emphysema/copd,being a smoker of 1 pack a day for 35 years I had always been told I had asthma(how stupid of me to continue smoking!!) but after I was rushed into hospital because I couldnt breathe,I was told by the consulting pulmanologist that I had maybe 5 years to live.I came home with oxygen,and initially I only used this for sleeping,however soon I was on oxygen 24/7 going from i litre per minute to eventually 8 litres per minute,the concentrator being my lifeline,the 60 feet of tubing attached gave me some freedom to move within my home,but after a while that became like a prison without bars,at this time you become depressed,you cant shower anymore because you cant breathe when the water is showering down on your head,so bathing becomes less and less. your grooming becomes virtually non existant,you become angry at the world,your loved ones and friends,and eventually lose all self esteem.No one seems to understand the full extent,the feeling isnt just that you cant breathe,it takes on a different dimension particularly if there is a low pressure weather system,and its raining,that is when it is the worst.(those of you that have this disease know what I mean)I could not take this anymore,I had to do something about it,not only for me,but for my wife my family and friends,I enrolled in the lung transplant program at one of the best transplant hospitals in the country,although I was terrified at the prospect and after reading about complications,I must admit I was in two minds ,and close to backing out,however the alternative was not an option,after being on the transplant list for 3 years my day finally arrived on July 19th 2007.after spending 7 hours in surgery,some 10 days later I was going home for the first time without the use of oxygen,it is now nearly 2 years later, never had any complications and feel absolutely wonderful,yes I have to take various pills on a daily basis,but thats better than carrying around oxygen,but most importantly I feel normal again,that the past seems so long ago now,there is no more pain,only joy and happiness in regaining my integrity,self esteem,and most importantly the love of my dear wife and friends that diligently stood by me during all the agony I created for them over the years.I hope that this story gives you the courage to move forward with your life,and hopefully to get back to a life that you once loved.