Health Updates
Manon Campbell Posted on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 7:23PM Since having the medical background, I’ll bring you up to date on Hélène’s health. Unfortunately though, I don’t have her great sense of humor or her ability to make play on words (she takes after her father that way).
Hélène’s pulmonary function has gone from 26% in October 2011 to 20% just two weeks ago. Recent tests show that it is no longer just a question of lung capacity. Her lungs have also lost some of the ability to do the proper oxygen exchange. The team as communicated to us on various occasions that this means Hélène has very little reserve.
Progression of Pulmonary Fibrosis means that Hélène’s lungs are getting more scarred. This scarring causes the hardening of the lungs. This also means that her heart is working harder not only at getting enough oxygen to the rest of her body but also at pumping the blood through her hardened lungs, facing resistance. Over time, the heart’s effectiveness also starts to be affected by the persisting resistance. Hélène’s latest echocardiogram shows some early signs of the heart being affected by this.
Hélène’s focuses now have to be on maintaining her physical shape through her exercise routine established by her medical team and preserving her energy more than ever before in order to not increase the demands on her heart. This will help with her recovery process after the surgery. Let me tell you that she’s very diligently been working out her muscles to prepare for that Sprint (a good comparison made by a dear friend of ours). In fact, she does not hesitate to point them out (her well-developed muscles) when talking about her physiotherapy and its benefits.
It goes without saying that her positive attitude, her joie de vivre and her love for Reese have all remained. In fact, they may even be stronger than before. I’m sure that seeing so many enthusiastic supporters of the Organ and Tissue Donor awareness Campaign in Ottawa had something to do with this.
Way to go Ottawa! You did such a great job in supporting the Torch of Life relay last Friday.
We love and miss you!
H&M (Hélène & Manon)
Reader Comments (14)
Ottawa loves and misses you both as well. We await the day 'our little champion' Helene returns home with her new lungs and she is strong and healthy once again and ready to dance with everyone in the city!
Dearest Hélène and Manon
As a firm believer in organ and tissue donation, I follow your story with keen interest and wish all of you the very best. You are in my thoughts and prayers always. Your positive outlook while facing this great challenge is admirable.
Bon COURAGE et meilleurs voeux du fond de mon coeur....
Helene: today my wife and I had to renew our license's here in Arizona. FIRST thing we made sure of when filling in the form? Organ Donation: CHECKMARK!! :-)
I wanted to say that it was truly because of YOUR persistence, determination and incredible focus that literally made it a "top-of-the-mind" thing for both my wife and I.
You are a remarkable inspiration and we are sending good thoughts, white light and love your way.
Blair
Bonjour Hélène,
I have the priviledge to teach with your dad. Thank you so much for taking the time to Skype us at the staff meeting. Seeing you and your family was so inspirational. Your smile and positive attitude are amazing.
I continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.
Jenna
Hélène , you made today as special as you really are. You are an inspiration for young and old and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Be strong over the few days and may you recovery be as fast and easy as possible.
With all my heart I wish you all the best.
XOX
As a person myself waiting for a kidney transplant and being a supporter of organ donation...I have followed helenes story since I have heard about her and her story! I am so happy to hear that she got her gift of life...it brings hope to everyone else who is waiting for a organ! Congrats Helene and I look forward to hearing about your recovery and you getting back to a regular and healthy life!!! I also look forward to seeing your dream of dancing with Ellen:)
Helene i was told you were getting your operation this morning when I woke up & i jump up & down in joy for you. You have been strong throughout this & I know there is always going to be hope for you
I also have IPF so I'm praying very hard that all goes well, Good Luck with the new lungs happy breathing Helene
I just heard about Helene today in the Regina Leader Post. I hope her transplant is a success and she will soon be able to read what I am about to say. My mother had ipf and passed in 2006. She looked into the option of a lung transplant but there was no stats on someone her age (late 60s at the time) because donor organs typically go to younger recipients. She accepted her fate with grace and dignity. If everyone supported Helene's campaign for organ donation, someone like my mother would have had hope. I think it is fitting that I first learned about Helene during the Easter season because my Mom always said, "Everyone has their cross to bear." There may be a genetic link in our family to ipf because my Mom was the 3rd in her family to suffer this lung disease. Helene gives everyone in our family hope for the future and we salute her courage and her compassion. Everyone in our family have been organ donors since 1989 when my niece was born with a vision impairment and had a cornea transplant at 3 weeks old. We hope Helene's message increases the number of people signing donor cards and pledging to make the decision on behalf of their family members to donate organs during what is always a difficult time when a loved one has no hope to survive a sudden tramatic event. Thank you Helene, you are an inspiration!
Bonne chance, Hélène! You are an extraordinary young woman with great courage. I am humbled among thousands to cheer for your rapid recovery. The world is at your doorstep and you are entitled. Thank you for doing so much to help so many. Impressive. Calgary and Alberta are pulling hard for you. Get well soon. Looking forward to seeing you with Ellen.
We're still thinking of you all the time and sending you gallons (litres) of love every minute. And the same to the rest of your family. Take it easy and rest. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo.... Sarah and Elinor
Helene!
I hope you recover fast from the operation!
I´ve sent you so much mental energy, so you will have not problems getting better, hehe.
You are the best! And when you get completely well, we have to continue our Spanish lessons eh? :)
Un abrazo de tu profe!!
Helene, my name is Natalia Ritchie, and I received a double lung transplant nearly 2 and a half years ago in Toronto. I too was in the press telling my story when my health declined. I so appreciate what you are going through, both as a transplant recipient, and as someone that shared their story with the world. I am so glad that your new lungs came when they did, and that soon you will realize what a life with perfect lungs feels like. I have had a perfect 2 years, without a glitch, and it's like magic, all of it. Enjoy every second (recover first I know it's a lot to handle) and keep spreading the word. All the best, and lots of love. Natalia
Hello Helene, you are an inspiration to all. Wishing you a long and wonderfull life.