OPINION: What receiving an organ donation taught me

Life has a funny way of challenging your morals and resolves. For me, organ donation is one of those things where my perspective has been totally changed. Whenever it was mentioned, I reduced it to being a question that is asked when applying for a driver’s license. That was the depth of my concern and knowledge on the subject. I didn’t realize the importance, or how the very thing I devalued would save and extend my life.

In 2012, I was diagnosed with a disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. IPF is an illness in which the lungs become scarred, the distribution of oxygen decreases and breathing becomes difficult. When I received the diagnosis, I was 37 years old. Learning there isn’t a cure, I was frightened and discouraged. After processing my emotions, I clung to my faith that I would overcome the statistics. While under the continual care of my pulmonologist, the years progressed, as did the disease. Eventually, 2018 came and I was accepted into the University of Washington’s Medical Center transplant program.

On Feb. 5, 2020, I found myself in transplant housing waiting to receive a double lung transplant. It seemed surreal. But I had to push past all the negative thoughts of dying and not being alive to raise my son. I had to focus on coming through surgery and recovery victoriously. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the process, but in May of 2020, I was officially on the transplant list.

While waiting for the transplant, I focused on pursuing a journey of spiritual, mental, emotional purification and enrichment. I wanted to be a better version of myself all around. I was being granted a second chance, and no longer wanted to dishonor the giver and gift of life that I was being blessed with. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months, and on Aug. 23, 2020, I received a life-changing phone call. The UW Medical Center was on the line, saying they had a possible donor. I was shaking but hung up the phone and called my son, unaware of how long it would be before I would talk to him again. I wanted to let him know that I loved him very much. After that intense call, I headed to the hospital. Thinking back on everything, this moment was emotional, but I was experiencing a peace that transcends human understanding. Being at peace was the only way that I was able to go through this entire process.

Once I was admitted, by 8 p.m. I was in the operating room for my double lung transplant. The next day, Aug 24, 2020, I came up from surgery at 7 a.m. The first thing I remember is waking up with a tube still down my throat and the doctor describing what had been done to me. One of the thoracic surgeons came into my room and said, “Young lady, we don’t normally see test results this well right after transplant; it’s like someone is looking out for you.” I knew exactly who was looking out for me. I was grateful to be breathing on my own and alive. Regardless of the six chest tubes that I had attached to my body, I was determined to go through the recovery process. I contracted COVID-19 about a month later. That was unexpected, but I’m alive and well today to tell my story. It took about four months after my surgery to fully recover and be released from my transplant team’s care.

Because of this experience, organ donation has a deeper meaning which I will forever cherish. This gem I learned from my precious donor: They taught me a lesson of love. I’ve never met them, nor can I do anything for them. In spite of it all, they gave of themselves for my benefit and advancement. To me, that’s love —laying down one’s life for a friend. Without God, none of this would be possible, and I would like to thank Him, my donor and everyone who participated in my transplant journey. I challenge everyone reading my story to exhibit His love to yourself and others.

Joyce Brooks is an Air Force Veteran, a mother and a double lung transplant recipient who is in the process of reinventing her life after being given a second chance thanks to organ donation. Joyce and other Alaskan organ and tissue recipients, are sharing their stories at Kaladi Brothers in downtown Anchorage during the month of April, through story portraits that are on display. April is Donate Life Month.

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