It’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of 2025 – and only the second year of Jen’s THIRD double lung transplant, as so much has happened! Since the last update, Jen has experienced continuing highs and lows with her health – but still managed to make the best of her circumstances and have some fun travel adventures this summer!
On the medical front, Jen unfortunately is managing chronic lung infection that can occur with lung transplant – and has required multiple rounds of home iv antibiotics to keep the infection in check. The infection has caused her lung function to be compromised, and she now has a mild component of chronic lung rejection that has been managed with high dose steroid infusions and medication adjustments. Jen is very thankful that her medical teams at Duke and IU Health have stayed on top of these issues so she can continue a very active lifestyle despite accommodating additional daily breathing treatments and therapies to protect her lungs and stabilize her overall health. Her medical teams, and Jen, are optimistic she can continue moving forward with these maintenance treatments in a very positive direction!
Her health challenges did not prevent her from traveling this summer and doing things she enjoys! Jen enjoyed some travels over the summer with family and friends, and took a trip to Dresden, Germany, to compete in her first World Transplant Games! At the Games Jen successfully finished 18 holes of challenging golf, along with competing in doubles, mixed doubles, and team bowling! Jen and her partner Donna earned a bronze medal in doubles bowling – but more importantly, Jen enjoyed the Team USA experience and sharing the time with friends across the US and world celebrating their gifts of life and honoring their donors! Jen was also able to travel to Paris after the Games and enjoy a reunion with her cousin who lives there, exploring the sites of Paris as well as Strasbourg in France. A truly remarkable European travel experience!
When not traveling, you’ll find Jen still is making music with her cello, walking her dog Duke, and exercising to keep her lungs strong, and now that basketball and football season is in swing – rooting for her beloved Hoosiers (especially the Hoosier Women’s basketball team!). Life continues to be very good for Jen – she celebrated her 52nd birthday with family in November, a milestone not taken for granted, and she is grateful to be approaching her 3-year anniversary in January of her third lung transplant! Jen reminds everyone – live your YOLO, and keep moving ONWARD! Jen is thankful for the continued support from friends and family in her transplant journey – and especially the COTA funds donated in her honor. Jen has traveled to Duke multiple times this year for lung biopsies and monitoring, and COTA funds have been invaluable to help offset the expense for her and her caregiver who must accompany her. (An average Duke stay is 3-4 days, with expenses averaging approximately $1000-$1500 per visit).
