My husband's transplant saved my life

Pam Penrose's story

“Before the transplant, we had already decided not to have children,” says Pam Penrose. “We had talked about it and didn’t plan to have them because Derek might not be around.”

That was about 12 years ago, when Pam and Derek Infield were starting their life together in Townsville.

They met at work but soon decided that Derek would stop working and focus on his health. As his cystic fibrosis became worse, the couple moved to Brisbane to be close to The Prince Charles Hospital.

“Derek’s always been careful about his health, but he had melioidosis, a tropical bacteria, in his lungs and the doctors weren’t sure how it would react to a transplant, so we didn’t know if he would be listed.”

In 2003, Derek got a bad flu which severely damaged his lung function.

“I couldn’t imagine him lasting till the end of that year. The doctors weren’t sure if he was even well enough for a transplant. He talked to the doctors about not dying in hospital.”

After several agonising months of testing and treatments, Derek was listed for a double lung transplant. “It was pretty quick after that, about six weeks until the transplant,” says Pam.

Derek bounced back immediately after the transplant. His colour returned and he finally started to put on weight, his body no longer needing every available calorie to keep his lungs working.

“He was so well after the transplant that about a year later we talked about kids. Because of the cystic fibrosis, we knew we had to do IVF. We decided we’d try two or three times and if it didn’t work, we’d stop.

“We’d spent 10 years with our lives on hold with Derek’s health, we didn’t want to spend the next 10 years in and out of hospitals.”

Fortunately, on their second try, Pam and Derek conceived twins Ryan and Lachlan, now five years old. Pam moved to part time teaching, job sharing with another mother.

“We made a decision that when the boys came along, Derek would stop working and be at home with them until they start school,” says Pam. “I’m really glad we’ve had this time.  I’m glad the boys have had this chance to bond with him.

“My life is just so different. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like. We’re just so lucky.

“If Derek hadn’t had the transplant, I wouldn’t have my family. ”