26 October 2009
Twenty one is a special age for anyone, but for one patient at St Helier Hospital, that number is certainly something to celebrate, as she marks 21 years since her combined heart and lung transplant.
Sutton resident Jacqueline Ladbroke, aged 69, underwent her heart and lung transplant on October 31 1988, after being diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (an increase in blood pressure which leads to shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and other symptoms, all of which are exacerbated by exertion).
She was the first person ever to take part in a 'domino' transplant (where one donor benefits more than one recipient) and is thought to be just one of four suriving people who had an heart and lung transplant in this year.
Since then, Jacqueline has been taking anti-rejection drugs so that her body accepts the new organs. Sadly, these drugs are so strong that they affect the kidneys, meaning that Jacqueline has to come into St Helier Hospital three times a week to undergo dialysis.
Talking about her revolutionary operation all those years ago, Jacqueline said: "My operation - although it took a long time to get over and to get fit - was a great success, and something that I'll be eternally grateful for.
"I spent about five months in hospital and once I was out, I still felt a bit sorry for myself. Ultimately though, it was a great change for me and the first time that I went for a walk with my husband Terry he remarked that it was the first time I could walk and talk at the same time. It was a simple change, but an enormous one."
Speaking about the secret to a long life following such a major transplant, Jacqueline said: "My attitude is that I'm not just 'me', I'm 'us'. My donor gave me a gift and I accepted it with great gratitude and I've never taken it for granted - I take my drugs on time and try to look after myself because I am just so thankful. I owe it to my donor to look after myself.
"Also, my son and daughter Stephen and Louise, Terry and the families on both sides have been incredibly supportive."
As part of the 'domino' transplant, Jacqueline's heart was donated to a male in his late thirties. Jacqueline said: "I didn't want to meet the person that got my heart, but quite by accident, it happened anyway. We got to know each other while we recovered in hospital, and every year on the anniversary of our operation he would send me a single red rose - organ donation really is the greatest gift you can give."
The Trust's medical director and Jacqueline's kidney consultant, Dr Jonathan Kwan said: "Jacqueline's achievement really is incredible. She is a marvellous woman and it is a privilege now to be treating her at St Helier Hospital. Having to undergo regular kidney dialysis so often is not nice for anyone, but Jacqueline just gets on with it and never complains.
"Jacqueline's experience is a reminder for us all about the importance of organ donation and being on the NHS Organ Register. Today more than 10,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant which could save or dramatically improve their lives. Most are waiting for a kidney, others for a heart, lung or liver transplant. But the reality is that last year, just over 3,500 transplants were carried out.
"Transplants are one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine. But they depend entirely on the generosity of donors and their families."
Joining the NHS Organ Register is easy. People can
