Teenage years are the years of everyone’s life that they look forward to living at their best; however, Tiffany Senter could not even imagine what life held for her at sixteen. She was faced with a reality that no one could ever imagine. The moment she received an official diagnosis of contracting Cystic Fibrosis, time stopped for her, knowing how she hardly had any chances of survival. It is a disease that comes with genes and adversely affects the functioning of several organs, especially the lungs, and affects survival. The only way she could survive was through a double lung transplant.
She felt lucky when, after only a year of diagnosis, soon after she turned 17, she got to know how the first set of donor lungs was found. This was when she felt strengthened after a long time of suffering, and letting the news of her deteriorating health consume her. After the surgery, her lung function rapidly increased to 93 percent, although the lungs worked 20 percent. However, the situation got worrying when the body started rejecting the lungs. The fear of death because of how fast her health was deteriorating surrounded Tiffany and her family, as within eight months, the lungs worked for no more than nine percent.
Spending your teenage years bedridden because of how a disease is consuming you is scary. Tiffany had never been this frail, and the thought that machines were making her survive broke her heart. The nourishment provided through feeding tubes definitely was not enough, but what else can a person do, realizing they are on the last stage of a fatal lung disease, and all that their life is going to be about is to fight for every single breath they take. The kind of exhaustion and terror Tiffany went through in the days can not be explained in words, and although she still pushes herself with phrases of self-love and strength, telling herself how it’ll end. It is not a forever kind of thing.
More than she was worried for her health and life, she was heartbroken seeing her family. They were concerned, and Tiffany often thought about what it would be like for them if she lost the battle to cystic fibrosis. Thus, she was a warrior who stood up stronger whenever she felt. No matter how painful it got, she kept her family at peace by telling them she was doing okay. The family and Tiffany were ready to accept anything that fate brings, but all this time they had together as a complete family, they cherished it the most.
Although her health worsened as days passed, Tiffany never said no to new adventures and experiences, knowing this was the only time she might have. Thus, she did not let cystic fibrosis limit her ability to live life to the fullest and hiked often. Not just this, she even summited a mountain, a moment that did take her breath away, but she believes this is the true reflection of life. Now, it was time for another transplant. Second chances should be taken as they can bring good to life.
They were two strangers willing to save and change Tiffany’s life forever. Two people came in unexpectedly as human angels, giving Tiffany a chance to live a little longer—the life she loved dearly. The first donor was a young man, whose final gift was the lungs. That human angel had already saved eight lives as a donor before. The second donor? Tiffany does not know much about the person; however, they are no less than miracles who came when Tiffany knew she would lose.
Although there is no guarantee of a cure for cystic fibrosis, Tiffany gracefully carries her scars and is proud of the journey she has taken. At least through it all, she has learnt how valuable loving life is and how gratitude is so important in life.
