Hello my name is Mary Jo Lovely, I am a Lung Transplant Survivor. I was diagnose with Progressive Chronic COPD Emphazema in 2000. Dr. Pham who was my Lung Dr. at the time.  Informed me if I did not quit smoking I would be his youngest transplant patient.  (Anyone who smokes knows how hard it is too walk away from a habit that actually owns you, even after you have quit.

For the next 2 yrs. I had gotten worst, and Dr. Pham had sent me to University of Pennsylvania Hospital Lung Transplant Center for evaluation. This is where I met Both Dr. Kotloff and Nancy Blumenthal.  My first visit consist of the whole transplant procedure being explain to me, and I just couldn't wrap myself around someone dying and me receiving their organs. Problem was I felt like I was wishing someone else death to save my life. A life I took for granted, by destroying my lungs.

Dr. Kotloff explain to me under no certain terms would they put me on the transplant list until I had given up smoking for at least 6 months. I did have regular check ups with Dr. Kotloff. After a few months I turned to my husband and said I want the transplant, if I only get one day with out oxygen then it would have been well worth it. At that point I had to get clean so that I could get on the list.

Oct-Nov of 2006 I was placed on the lung transplant list. On June 30,2007 I was laying in bed with my husband and said to him that I wanted to go and buy some cards for the family in the event I die. I want them to know that I love them and wanted them to have something from me in the end.

I just started to fall into a deep sleep around 11:30 Pm when the phone rang. I started complaining who the hell is calling this late. Don't they know we go to bed early. When I picked up the phone and realized that it was the call I had been waiting for, I jumped out of bed screaming and hollering I got my lungs I got my lungs. I was so excited I had to hand the phone over to my husband because I was to excited to get any information.  Woke up the house with all my excitement.

By the time we got to the hospital and settled in it was July1,2007 and the 1st day of the rest of my life. I only received 1 lung unfortunately the other lung was damaged. You know that's ok I can breathe and for that I will be grateful the rest of my life. One is better then none.

I spent 15 days in the hospital, my feelings are I was under the care of top notch  Drs. and Nurses. And for the rest of my life I will be under their care. I am so blessed to have them on my side and to have someone be able to donate their loved ones organs. Its a feeling you just can't explain. Everyday I wake up still overwhelmed at thought of having someone else's organ in my body. And how much it has helped me.

Thanks to Gift of Life, my Drs, and most importantly the Donor Families for given others a 2nd chance at life.  I am an Organ Donor, I became one 10 yrs. ago when I lost my husband and they asked if about the Organ Donation. I did not hesitate to say yes. Little did I know that 9 yrs. later I would be receiving an Organ. Talk about what goes around comes around.

To keep posted on my progress you can visit my Care Page

Life is short please help me spread the word around about Organ Donation. 


Give the Gift of Life, Become an Organ Donor!
Mary Jo Lovely