Her Organ Donor Gave Her Two Gifts: A Husband And A Lung Transplant
Being an organ donor is such a selfless, beautiful act. For one woman in Virginia, her late organ donor didn’t just give her one gift; they gave her two: a lung transplant and a husband!
After Jennifer Ellis was born, she was diagnosed with a condition called Situs Inversus. This is a congenital disorder that’s pretty rare, and it causes a reversal of normal organ placement in your abdomen and chest.
As Jennifer grew older, she then developed primary ciliary dyskinesia because of her Situs Inversus, which meant she was in need of new lungs, as it resulted in lung damage.
It was in 2015 that Jennifer realized her health was going downhill. She was getting ready to participate in the Ms. America Pageant, and as she was exercising, she noticed she had a hard time breathing.
Several years later, Jennifer’s health worsened, leaving her in need of oxygen 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
When 2018 arrived, Jennifer spent every single month in the hospital that year except for two. There was no other option but for her to undergo a double-lung transplant.
Jennifer’s doctor gave her a referral to the Cleveland Clinic, and she was put on a waiting list. She continued to combat infections in her lungs as she patiently awaited a donor match.
Sometimes, Jennifer was so ill it was doubtful she would be a good candidate for a double-lung transplant, but a couple of months after being placed on the list, she received word that she was receiving a new pair of lungs. When Jennifer found out, she literally fell to the floor in tears.
Jennifer’s surgery was a success, but she faced many hurdles in her journey to recovery, including her body rejecting her new lungs.
Viktar Vysotski – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
Jennifer’s late donor was named Jill, and Jill’s family contacted Jennifer through a holiday card right after her surgery.
“Jennifer replied with a six-page letter that included messages from both Jennifer and her loved ones, expressing their gratitude,” the Cleveland Clinic explained.
“After getting to know each other more, Jill’s family eventually traveled from Wisconsin to West Virginia to see Jennifer in person. That’s when she met Travis.”
Travis is Jill’s brother, and when Jennifer got to meet him, she figured he was good-looking, but nothing could ever come of her crush since there was some considerable distance between them.
Jennifer formed a fast bond with Jill’s family, including Travis, and she ended up spending a lot of time with her late donor’s loved ones.
If that isn’t the most touching thing you’ve heard of all year, just wait. Jennifer went on to fall in love with Travis, and he got down on one knee in July of last year.
Dr. Marie Budev, Jennifer’s pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic, was invited to be a special guest at her wedding, which happened last month.
Jill’s dad, Randy, said, “We lost a daughter, but Jenny gained her life. Becoming an organ donor gives somebody else a chance to live. It changes people’s lives.”
How sweet is that?
You can read Jennifer’s interview with the Cleveland Clinic here.
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