Natalie Daoust is breathing easier these days.
Four months ago, the 25-year-old underwent surgery for a double lung transplant to replace lungs so badly damaged by cystic fibrosis, that she was at 18 per cent lung capacity.
She came a week ago and is feeling “so much better.”
“I’m feeling awesome. Before I couldn’t even brush my hair without getting out of breath. I couldn’t brush my teeth. I couldn’t go upstairs. I could barely walk to the car,” said Daoust.
“Before I was dragging oxygen around all over the place. I was taking all kinds of medication throughout the day, and I had to do chest physio to get rid of the mucus build up around my lungs. And now I can’t even imagine life before.”
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that mostly affects the lungs and the digestive system.
Daoust was just over a year old when she was diagnosed with CF.
Most of her childhood was spent doing a lot of the things other children were doing, but when she turned 12, the disease began to take its toll.
“That was the first time I was put in the hospital and I had to stay there for two weeks and get IV antibiotics,” recalls Daoust.
She says after that she would return to the hospital every six months for what is referred to as a “CF tune-up.”
“Maybe two years ago is when I decided to go through with it (transplant),” said Daoust which required moving along with her mother and stepfather to be closer to the hospital in Toronto and continue her physiotherapy.
“You have to uproot your whole life just to get this one big thing done.”
After waiting nine months, with a few bumps along the way, she finally received her lifesaving operation.
“I had two false calls before my actual real call. You’re upset that you didn’t get the lungs, but you feel bad for being upset because there is another family that is grieving for their loved one that passed away. So that is what I was struggling with,” Daoust.
“We got the call and it was crazy because we just had family come down that day for a Father’s Day, and Easter dinner, all those things were put together because we weren’t going to be home for them. The one time my grandfather came down is when I got my real call. So, I think he was my lucky charm. “
It has been a long and difficult journey to get to where they are today as a family.
Chantal Daoust says her daughter is adjusting well to life with her new lungs.
“She is doing amazing. She went strawberry picking yesterday for the first time in years and years. I’m still overprotective but I get that she has to live now. It is just going to take a while for me to let go.”
Daoust still needs to take precautions where her health is concerned.
“I have to be really careful to stay away from anybody who is sick or has been sick in the last week or so. I have to stay out of the sun now because I’m prone to getting skin cancer from my medication.”
Which means covering up and using the highest SPF available.
Natalie’s stepfather Dan Caskenette said the entire family is appreciative of the support they have received along their journey.
“We did the fundraisers before we left. People kept in touch texting, and on Facebook they were very concerned about Natalie. So, the support was there before we left, it was there while we were away, and it is still here now.”
Daoust says many families are struggling financially while they wait for a donor.
“My family and I are very thankful to the community because without them we couldn’t have been able to do this at all. The fundraisers have been such a big help. Some people we met are losing their homes, or their vehicles because they’re from out of province or have used up all their savings.”
A welcome home party to celebrate her return was organized for Nick Laporte who she met at one of her fundraisers over a year ago.
“From there we just kind of kept in touch. She’s always checking on me to see how my injuries from running are coming along and I’m checking on her to see how she is doing. So, we’ve developed a friendship over the last year,” said Laporte.
Meeting Daoust has made an impact on Laporte.
“I’ve met a lot of people directly affected by CF, and they’ve reached out to me through knowing Natalie and I developed quite a few friendships. Along the way you learn more and more about the disease and whatever I can do to support at different events I’m happy to do because when it happens to family or friends, it definitely connects us all.”
Daoust encourages everyone to take a moment to sign up to become an organ donor, and to share their intentions with others.
“They could be saving up to 8 lives if they did donate. I’ve met people who I’ve also done physio within the hospital and they are struggling. They could all get their life back if more people would donate.”
Thanks to the selfless act of one donor, she can get out an enjoy life.
“I have no words to describe how grateful we are to the donor family. I honestly didn’t think I was going to see 25. So, I would like to thank them for saving my life and giving me a second chance to be with my family and friends and be able to do the things I wasn’t able to do before.”
Daoust is excited to turn the page and begin the next chapter in her life.
