A MATTER OF LIFE AND BREATH

Colleen Steadman’s every breath relies on lungs that once belonged to other people.

The lungs are the greatest gift she ever received because they’ve kept her alive the past 13 years.

Born with cystic fibrosis, Colleen underwent a double lung transplant at age 34. Because the procedure boosted her health and quality of life, the brighteyed, cheerful Leesburg resident strongly urges more people to become organ donors.

“So many people out there are waiting for organs. Sadly, many of them die while waiting,” Colleen says.

In fact, 22 people die every day waiting for transplants hope and, more importantly, save their lives.

While spending two-anda-half years on the National Waiting List, she nearly died and did become wheelchairbound. However, life changed considerably after she underwent a 9.5-hour double lung transplant April 30, 2003, at the UF Health Shands Hospital.

“I was in the hospital for 28 days. When I was discharged, I remember walking across the parking lot in tennis shoes,” Colleen says. “That was very memorable because when I entered the hospital to have my surgery I was in a wheelchair. My husband was so happy that he started crying.”

Since the procedure, and scalloping trips to Steinhatchee, a Gulf coastal community located north of Cedar Key. And she loves giving baths to her five cats and two dogs. bronchoscopy, a procedure where doctors check for possible airway narrowing. that “can’t take place because of the shortage of donated organs,” according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“If you can move, then get up and move. Don’t just sit around the house,” Colleen says.

Colleen is living proof that organ donors give people with debilitating illnesses

Colleen, now 47, cherishes every waking moment. She walks two miles on a treadmill and swims laps for 45 minutes every day at the Leesburg Regional Medical Center Wellness Center. She takes occasional snorkeling

However, lung transplant recipients never live what most would consider normal lives. Colleen has breathing treatments twice a day and each morning uses a therapy vest to vibrate her chest and loosen mucus. She never enters a public venue during flu season without wearing a mask because catching a virus could be fatal. She also travels to Shands every six weeks to undergo a

“I don’t live like a hermit, but I am very cautious with everything I do,” she says. “I take my limitations with pride. There are so many people on a waiting list who end up dying, so I consider myself one of the lucky ones.”

Colleen hopes she is lucky enough to complete her bucket list, which consists of traveling to picturesque destinations such as Hawaii, Niagara Falls, and the Grand Canyon. She also wants to throw a birthday bash when she turns 50.

“That will be a milestone for me, and I’m looking forward to a big celebration.”