Véronique Ferland

My name is Véronique Ferland. I am 34 years old and I received life as a gift16 months ago. In fact, I had the privilege of getting a double-lung transplant (two new pink lungs) that saved my life and allowed my three wonderful children to finally meet again their mother.

I was born with cystic fibrosis and during those years, specialists told me that my life expectancy was not more than 7 years. This disease affected all mucous membranes of the body and causes endless respiratory tract infections that must be treated with intravenous antibiotics, as well as long stays at the hospital. In the long run, this leads to an irreversible weakening of lungs. Of course, with the advancement of medical science, the age limit of patients having cystic fibrosis continues to increase.

I had a life relatively normal in my youth, except for hospitalizations, which allowed me to have three children, without any problems. However, at the age of 30, my health was damaged a lot in a very short time and the options were death or a double-lung transplant.

During the waiting, the process was long for my family and I. In 2 years, I spent about 20 months at the hospital far away from my children and quite simply, life. Having oxygen continuously and a biPAP instrument which helps my lungs to do gas exchanges properly, I could barely get up of my hospital bed without fainting. Despite everything, I was raising the oxygen level and I was doing stationary bicycle during 5 minutes as often as possible to try to keep some muscles. These ways allowed my body to restore more rapidly after the surgery and to restore my cardiac function that also started to weaken.

Since I got a transplant, I live a life more active than ever. Indeed, I do boxing two to three times a week. I make up for the time that I lost with my three loves. I do voluntary work at their school each week. I had the great opportunity to help and guide several people who have been waiting since a little or a long time ago for a transplant in the complete process.

After receiving so much, it is obvious that I have to give in return, and by participating in the Canadian Transplant Games this year in Québec City, I would have the privilege to show that this difficulty is a success in all points of view. Whether physically, mentally or emotionally, this path of life changed my actions and my thoughts. And I am convinced that a healthy spirit in a healthy body is the key to a beautiful life.

These Canadian Games are an opportunity for me to surpass myself and to reach goals that I never thought I could achieve one day. They can be attained now and I know that this opportunity will be a high source of motivation for me and for those who are of concern to organ donation. I am also doing it on behalf of my donor and its family who took an important decision because it saved not only my life but my family’s life as well.

So I wish good games to my friends. The sky is the limit. You must never give up.

Véronique Ferland

Two-lung transplant patient on November 21, 2008.

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