My medical team at the UofW saved my life. My wife, my caregiver, my hero. Photo: Scott Tom
I was diagnosed with IPF 6 years ago. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. No cure, eventually lungs no longer function and you die within 3-5 years. Unless you can meet the criteria to be added to the University of Washington Lung Transplant list. My wife Adele is my hero, my motivator and my caregiver. We decided to choose life, so we got to work. We quit alcohol, lost a whole lot of weight. We ate better food, became more active as my disease progressed THAT wasn't easy. After two log years, we made the list, waited another 14 months and received the call we had waited for. Donor lungs had become available. Adele and I immediately headed to Seattle where the transplant took place the next day. Then the journey really began. Retired news reporter Wayne Faligowski and talented videographer Kyle Bryant decided to produce this video in hopes that it might help other people in similar situations. No matter how bad things get, you are not alone and you can fight and bounce back. We have a deep faith in God, love for family, friends and fur-babies. Plus we savor each and every moment of life, good or bad. I hope you will share this video with others and thank you for caring.