Frank’s Story:
Frank O’Connor, has come through a life-altering experience. Following an unexpected diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis at 65, he was blessed to receive a life-saving lung transplant, but then spent 80 days in ICU battling to survive. He credits a ‘triangle of love’ for carrying him through – his selfless donor, his family and the wonderful staff of the Mater hospital.
Frank has now written a book about his experiences – www.orpenpress.com/books/dying-for-a-breath/ – in gratitude to the amazing medical staff. To mark Lung Fibrosis Awareness month, he shares his story:
“I’m a Tipp man originally, but have been living in Dublin for over 40 years. I suppose you’d call me an acclimatised Dub, my wife Brigid and I have raised our four boys here and I love the place.
“Back in Jan 2022, I was helping a friend bring a few boxes out of a car and was totally exhausted by it. One of my sons noticed and said I should definitely get it checked, so I booked a full medical.
“Two partially blocked arteries were discovered and stents put in, but when I was being discharged the breathlessness was still there.
“I was referred to a respiratory consultant and six weeks later on 17th February – after a CT Scan and a six-minute walking test – I heard the words I’d never forget, “We have a problem here, Frank”. I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) – a rare form of fibrotic lung disease with no known cause, and no cure, that progresses over the course of several years. Without a lung transplant my life expectancy was two to three years.
“So, you try to get your head around things. You soon realise this life-threatening diagnosis doesn’t just affect you, it affects the whole family. Having been interested in, and read a lot on, psychology and spirituality in my younger years, I felt the best I could do was to accept my diagnosis and live in the here and now… that way I’d stay more positive.
“Gradually, my situation began to disimprove and I needed 15 litres of oxygen per minute to get me through the day and do the most basic tasks. Then, in July 2022, I was called into the Mater for a week-long set of tests to see if I was suitable for a lung transplant. Thankfully I was, and was added to the live transplant register on the 22 July.
Frank in the ICU post-transplant
“I was incredibly lucky, a couple of weeks later I got a call from Mary, the Transplant Coordinator at the Mater. I remember it like it was yesterday, “Are you at home, Frank, and do you have a bag packed? We’ve found a suitable donor”. Life-changing words. Within 20 mins the ambulance was at my door.
“As soon as I arrived at the hospital they began prepping me for the transplant, talking me through each step and at 9.30pm I was wheeled down to theatre. It was an eight-hour operation and you just have to be amazed at the concentration and dedication of the surgeons involved.
“When I came out of the op I wasn’t doing too well. Brigid got a call to say I was extremely ill and that she should probably come in and get our four sons to come too. I think there was some Formula One-style driving from different parts of the country to make it to the Mater. My body was struggling with some initial rejection and I’d developed two different infections”.
“I was on ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) life-support for 15 days after the op. The machine takes over heart and lung function when your organs don’t work on their own. It means that one of the specially trained nurses in the Mater needs to sit with you night and day to ensure continuous assessment and to identify any issues.
“Again this was symptomatic of the amazing medical team at the Mater who fight for you every way they can. From Dr. Michelle Murray, my incredible lead consultant, who was so full of empathy and expertise to the wonderful Olive, and her colleague Patricia, in the Physio team who painstakingly helped me to walk again. Then there was a nurse from Drogheda, Jim, a lovely, jolly lad who, without question, agreed to wash my hair when I’d been confined to bed and desperately wanted it to ‘feel’ clean… angels all!
“Following a number of set-backs, the Intensive Care Team needed to look after me for 80 Days, until I was eventually strong enough to move to High Dependency (HDU). I only needed 10 days under their care before I could move to the general recovery ward and was finally discharged at 11:00am on the 14 December 2022 – 132 days after I’d entered for my transplant. I’m back to see the team and benefit from their amazing care every 2-3 weeks.
“Life now is all about being grateful and living it the best I can. I have to do that for my wonderful donor whose very precious gift has given me a second chance at life. I have to do it for my amazing family whose love has been my greatest strength. And, I have to do it for the most incredible medical team whose care helped me to live.”
Frank O’Connor, Tipperary and Dublin
Frank’s book, Dying for a Breath, detailing his incredible journey
Capturing my experience:
“After much doodling and note scribbling during my hospital stay, I eventually decided I’d write a book detailing my experiences – ‘Dying for a Breath’. I wanted to capture what incredible, world-class care looks like through the eyes of a patient and pay tribute to my wonderful donor for the precious gift of life.
Proceeds from the book will go to support the Mater Hospital Foundation and the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association. For those interested the book is available through Orpen Press at: www.orpenpress.com/books/dying-for-a-breath/ or at Ballyboden St Endas GAA Club house.
Thanks so much,
Frank
Frank at a recent book launch with some of the transplant, ICU and HDU team that cared for him
