Woman climbs mountains after receiving new set of lungs

Ann Sidesinger: That'd be great. He's my hero.

Emily Gibbs: Ann Sidesinger needed a hero.

[Text on screen: Ann Sidesinger
Double Lung Transplant Recipient]

Ann Sidesinger: It's hard to describe when you can't breathe.

Emily Gibbs: She was in trouble. This clouded area of Ann's lungs should be clear. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis made it nearly impossible for her to tie her shoes, walk upstairs, even leave the house.

Ann Sidesinger: Just to walk 10 feet, even on oxygen, I was out of breath.

Emily Gibbs: Dr. Matthew Henn of the Comprehensive Transplant Center at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center saw a double lung transplant as necessary, but it's not an easy ask. 

[Text on screen: Source: American Lung Association
28% Donated Lungs Suitable for Transplantation]

Emily Gibbs: Only about 28% of donated lungs can be used because of the damage they receive in a lifetime. And Ann needed two lungs. In addition to the normal risks of a lengthy surgery, double the lungs, double the risk of infection.

[Text on screen: Matthew Henn, MD
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center]

Matthew Henn, MD: When you put lungs in, you're constantly exposed to the external environment.

Emily Gibbs: It took time for her to recover, rehab and learn to breathe again. Her outcome, miraculous.

Ann Sidesinger: And I know it's scary, but it's the best decision I ever made.

Emily Gibbs: Giving Ann and her two new lungs a second chance at life.

Ann Sidesinger: I feel so good. I feel fabulous, and I'm doing things that I never thought I would do again. And even then, more than I did before.

Emily Gibbs: At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, I'm Emily Gibbs.