Two birthdays in one year
Jan, 28 years old, heart and lung transplant since 2001
"An organ transplant was the only chance of survival for me."
Hello, my name is Jan Kurtenbach. I am 28 years old and received a new heart and lungs at Hannover Medical School (MHH) in 2001. Today I would like to tell you my story, how it came about, what gave me hope and how my life changed after the operation.
The first 6 years of my life were probably like most other children: I played with friends from the neighborhood at every opportunity. The physical activity seemed limitless. But at some point I realized that I could no longer keep up with the others as soon as they ran ahead. As this also gave my parents pause for thought, I was examined. Diagnosis (1999): Primary pulmonary hypertension, a disease in which the pressure in the pulmonary circulation increases, causing shortness of breath, tiredness and reduced performance.
Over the next two years, I spent most of my time in New York for treatment. On the one hand, it was nice to be able to see parts of this world metropolis at such a young age, but on the other hand it was also stressful due to the hospital stays and complications, some of which lasted several weeks. The treatment helped me, but at some point we came to the point where an organ transplant was the only chance of survival for me. My parents and I met with Prof. Haverich at the MHH to talk and find out more. In hindsight, it was probably good for me as a child that I didn't fully realize the seriousness of the situation and the importance of a transplant. But I still had one question for Prof. Haverich.
I associated the idea of getting a new heart with losing my character and personal qualities. Just what you think as a child. He replied very coolly and dryly that the heart is just a pump that transports blood through the body. Even after almost 20 years, I still remember that day when he encouraged me with his self-confident, humorous and relaxed manner.
"When I come back, I'll be healthy."
After only six days on the transplant list, we got a call at dinner that there were organs suitable for me. Then everything happened very quickly. Shortly afterwards, the ambulance arrived at our door. My grandparents came by to wish me good luck and say goodbye to me. Just before we left, I shouted the following words to my grandma: "When I come back, I'll be healthy."
At the end of November 2001, the time had come and I was transplanted by Prof. Haverich and his HLTX team in Hanover. The following weeks in the intensive care unit were initially very critical. But little by little I realized that something was different. I had color in my face, my appetite returned and I was soon able to take my first steps on the ward corridor. Thanks to regular physiotherapy and the steady increase in physical fitness, I was able to spend Christmas at home with my family that same year.
"I could finally play soccer again."
Back in everyday life, it was still very unusual for me at first to go to school wearing a face mask, avoid crowds and take my tablets every day. But there were also good things about the "new life". I was finally able to play soccer again and became more physically resilient. As I had particularly missed this in the difficult years before, it was also a great motivation for me to be back on the pitch one day and be able to play with my teammates. An indescribably wonderful feeling!
"Today I study in Greifswald on the Baltic Sea."
In the years that followed, I regularly visited the Ederhof in East Tyrol, a special Facilities or Institutions for children and young people before and after organ transplants. It was exciting for me to talk to other children and families who had a similar past. As a child, it was also very helpful for me to gain an awareness of how I will now live with my new organs. There were also so many great activities like climbing and skiing, all of which were now possible again.
Today I study in Greifswald on the Baltic Sea, can do sports without any worries and feel good all round. It's been almost 20 years since the transplant and I still go about my everyday life independently and have learned to go through life with a certain amount of caution and yet without a care in the world.
"I am very grateful for all this. So I can only encourage anyone who is in a similar situation to me at the time."
Looking back, this story is sometimes hard for me to believe. So many people helped me through this often stressful time, especially my family and friends. It wasn't an easy time for my two little sisters either, as I often had the most attention and they regularly spent long periods of time with my grandparents while I was in hospital.
I am very grateful for all of this. So I can only encourage anyone who is in a similar situation to me at the time. Things don't always run smoothly and sometimes you really wonder how many setbacks you still have to put up with. But sometimes it helps to keep reminding yourself of the small pleasures of "normal" everyday life and to say to yourself, I'm not giving up! This has helped me a lot personally. I hope I was able to give some people a bit of courage and show them that it is possible to reach your goal despite a few detours.