I'll never give up
Wiebke, 20 years old, lung transplant for 8 years
My start in life
My name is Wiebke, I was born in the 26th week of pregnancy in April 2001, weighing 390 grams and measuring 28 centimetres. I was born so early because my twin sister had acute kidney failure and unfortunately died the day after we were born. The physicians gave me a one percent chance of survival as I was born with a hole and immature lungs, which led to the development of pulmonary hypertension. After three months in the neonatal unit, my parents were finally allowed to take me home. As far as I can remember from stories, I came home with 24 hours of oxygen and a feeding tube.
Suddenly I needed oxygen again
From the age of, I think, about three years, I no longer needed oxygen. Apart from my illness, I was able to go to kindergarten and, from 2008, to school without any worries. From 2011, my life suddenly changed dramatically because I had a relapse and have needed 24-hour oxygen ever since. I've been in hospital a lot since then and was always happy when I was told I could go to school. In 2012, my cardiologist told us that the time had come and there was no way around a transplant. So, as I was in hospital at the time, I was transferred to Hannover Medical School (MHH) and put on the list for a new lung. I waited at home for about six months for a lung.
When mom woke me up, I said "Let me sleep, I have school tomorrow"
In January 2013, the time had finally come. The call came around midnight. When my mom woke me up, I said "Let me sleep, I have school tomorrow". It took me a while to realize that they had a lung offer for me. The bag was always ready to hand and packed. I think about 30 minutes after the call, the ambulance was at the door to take me and my mom to Hanover. We arrived in Hanover in the middle of the night and I think I was in the operating theater around 7 o'clock in the morning. The physicians operated for a good twelve hours. One day after the operation, it was discovered that I had a hemorrhage in my leg (compartment syndrome) and had to go back into surgery immediately to preserve my leg.
I would like to graduate from secondary school in the summer
After a hospital stay of about eight weeks, I went to the family rehab center in Tannheim with my family. After rehab, I had lessons at home for six months as I was unfortunately not allowed to go back to school yet. In June 2019, I passed my special school certificate for learning and have been working since then. In the summer, I would like to complete my secondary school certificate and do something in the office after graduation.
My thanks go to...
The physicians, my family and everyone else who was always by my side during the difficult time, but also afterwards - or still is today.