Alice Vogt, two-time lung transplant recipient, tells Rian her story
Alice Vogt, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, had a double lung transplant twice. She shares her health journey with Rian.
Cystic fibrosis, a disease of the pancreas that affects the diagnosed person's lungs and digestive system, has a profound effect on quality of life. Fortunately, there have been many medical advances made since doctors first discovered the disease. Among these is the lung transplant, which could potentially help the recipient to breathe better and therefore provide oxygen for the optimal functioning of other organs in the body.
Alice Vogt had the life-changing opportunity to undergo a double lung transplant in October 2008. Shortly afterward, Vogt played squash at the World Transplant Games. With her steely determination and positive attitude, Vogt has managed to make a full life for herself despite the disease - even when she had to get a second double lung transplant, thereby becoming the first person in South Africa to do so.
Vogt says that after her first transplant at the age of 23, she felt as if she had her first chance at life. Before the transplant, she struggled to breathe and her quality of life was terrible, but after the surgery she was able to do so much more. She says the days after her surgery, when she noticed that her breathing was much quieter, confirmed to her that her life was about to get so much better. It is a relief, Vogt says, to be able to experience mostly good days where you are not constantly worried about your breathing.