Health and Wellness

“It’s true what they say… ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that's why it's called the present’. It has been one year since my double lung transplant and I’m grateful for the ‘gift’ of extra time that I have been able to enjoy. The last 365 days haven’t always been easy, but I’m thankful for the care I’ve received, and I’m determined to stay healthy and well with my new lease on life,” shares Jennifer Coulman.

While the transplant itself was a blessing, it was truly just the beginning of her next journey which includes close monitoring, dedication to wellness and a daily arsenal of anti-rejection meds that she will need to take the rest of her life. The feeling of joy receiving the gift of new lungs quickly turned to the reality and immense responsibility of taking care of herself to avoid complications.

“I can’t describe the gratitude I feel for Grant Regional,” shared Jen. “They have truly saved my life more than once. I know I can depend on and turn to them in the future, and they will be here for me. They know me inside and out, medically and personally.”

I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease that attacked my lungs causing pulmonary fibrosis back in the Spring of 2006. Pulmonary fibrosis is an invisible disease. It destroys healthy lung tissue, causing symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough. It causes the need for more and more supplemental oxygen until that need can’t be met. Knowing I would be affected by this for the rest of my life, my pulmonologist and I decided to pursue a lung transplant. Now, 17 1/2 years later after getting sick, I had my double lung transplant on September 29, 2023, at UW Hospital in Madison.

“I first met Jamie, a Respiratory Therapist in 2010 when I had to have a pulmonary function test. Seven years later, I got to work with her again when I started Pulmonary Rehab. Grant Regional has a great rehab department that includes other services too such as Cardiac rehab, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech therapy. They can help you stay active as long as you can. I should know since I have used some of these services. I started physical therapy in 2009 and did multiple rounds of that for different issues. The Cardiopulmonary team has always taken care of me at rehab when I was sick or had low blood sugar. In September 2023, Jamie got a hold of my regular pulmonologist and my transplant pulmonologist when it was evident I was sick for the fourth time. This saved me as I was immediately hospitalized at UW and listed nine days later for my transplant.

Jamie and Destani, another Respiratory Therapist in the Cardiopulmonary program, always have my best interest at heart. They make you work hard, however it’s at your comfort level. They help you improve what you are doing such as increasing a resistance level on the machine. Thanks to them I was strong enough to make it to transplant despite using 15 liters of oxygen to walk or 6 liters at rest just to breathe. Jamie and Destani gave me the tools to live my life as a healthy person. I would like to encourage everyone who needs services of pulmonary rehab to use them.

“Never underestimate the power or the people in a small rural hospital like Grant Regional! Grant Regional is special! They are very different than other hospitals I have received care at (and I’ve been to a lot). The staff get to know you and take you in like family, helping you in your worst times and cheering you on to celebrate important milestones. I know in my heart I would not be here today if it weren’t for this amazing hospital. I really believe that.”

Thanks to Grant Regional Health Center I was able to complete my fifth and final round of pulmonary rehab in 2024 as a healthy transplant recipient.