A lung transplant has given trainee reporter Sam Alexander the chance to make his dreams of a life in journalism come true
FEBRUARY 21, 2020 – the day that saved my life. It was the day I was incredibly fortunate to receive a lifesaving double lung transplant. Having been seriously ill for several years due to Cystic Fibrosis, the relief of receiving the late-night phone call informing me that a pair of lungs was available was immense.
Cystic Fibrosis is an incurable inherited condition that causes lung infection and over time the lungs eventually stop working properly.
That time for me was 2015. I’d been away for the year doing what all 23-year-olds do, but by November I was back with my parents, an oxygen tank was installed, and the downward spiral began.
This spiral continued for the next five years. By 2018 I had been placed on the lung transplant list; it was rapidly becoming clear this was my main hope of life.
Throughout those five years, I spent most of the time on ward 52 at the RVI Hospital, Newcastle, where I was looked after incredibly well. I can’t say it was the most enjoyable time, but life carried on and you make the most of everyday as best you can.
By 2019, I was connected to oxygen 23 hours a day, with a one-hour trip out solely to prove to myself I still could do it. In all honesty I couldn’t. My lung capacity had reached an all-time low. A five-yard walk with no oxygen was nearly impossible.
There were two false alarms when I was called up to the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, late at night, only to be told five minutes before surgery that the organs were in fact not up to standard.
By the time I received my third phone call on the February 21, 2020, it really was the last chance. I knew it, my parents knew it, no one said it, but it lingered in the air.
I underwent ten hours of surgery, followed by two more days kept under anaesthetic while the new lungs decided if they were keen on their new owner.
Thankfully they were and during the next six weeks in hospital, I learned to breathe again.
A year of rehabilitation followed; the two years prior I had averaged 200 steps a day so unsurprisingly my body had become very weak. My lungs were now outperforming my body which was a pleasant surprise.
There is a happy ending coming do not fear. In the years since, I have had a new lease of life, regaining my independence, enjoying and appreciating life like never before.
I was, however, left slightly lost after six years out of work and with no real career skills. I realised I enjoyed two things, sport and writing. I gradually came up with a few sports previews and posted them on my social media. These were spotted by local journalist and former cricket correspondent at The Independent, Stephen Brenkley. Stephen took me under his wing and I began writing reports of Barnard Castle Cricket Club matches.
I will always be grateful for what Stephen did for me, if it wasn’t for him, I may still be sat just watching cricket wondering what to do with myself. Stephen has forgotten more than I will ever know, and I try to sponge every single bit of his experience and knowledge.
It then snowballed and I enrolled at Teesside University where I’m now doing a sports journalism course. I am also working part-time here at the Teesdale Mercury under editor Stuart Laundy.
It is a million miles from where I was five years ago, and I would never want to go back to those hospital beds.
An experience like that does shape you, change you and lead you down roads you never thought you would go.
In August 2020 my friend, Abi Makin, organised a walk from the RVI hospital to Barnard Castle, finishing at Scar Top. I wasn’t quite up to it only six months after my operation but joined the last leg. They managed to raise more than £5,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust which will go a long way to helping people who are in the position I was.
Abi said: “I knew Sam wouldn’t appreciate a big post op party but knew he was thankful for the support the Cystic Fibrosis Trust had given him and his family, hence the fundraiser. The walk was 48 miles of hell but a drop in the ocean of the struggle Sam had faced over the years.”
I now hope to be able to bring Teesdale the up-to-date news in the coming years so if I come knocking on your door about a local story, a quote and a smile for the camera will always be appreciated.
I will always be grateful to my donor, if it wasn’t for him and many others, so many would not be here now.
Life moves pretty fast at times. We should all take a second to look around and appreciate what we have.
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