Tag Archives: my sister

The Mountain Climb of a Lifetime

Tech News, , ,

image

This is about my sister, Justine. She is about to attempt her hardest mental and physical challenging experience following her life as a double lung transplantee. This is no easy task even for a fit person. For Justine, she has hard to undergo a special training regime. This is made even harder as she still gets breathless and has other symptoms post transplant.

To find out more click here – https://www.justgiving.com/JUSTINE-LAYMOND5

This is her story –

“Raising money for To Transplant and Beyond.Cotopaxi Climb in Memory of our Donors.

Post transplant climb to highlight Organ Donation for To Transplant and Beyond because of new technologies like the Organ Care System

£1,030.85 Raised

£2,000.00 Target Required.

Story

After surviving one of the world’s rarest diseases, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), enduring 15 lung collapses, 3 weeks in a coma. A further 2 months conscious on life support unable to eat,drink,communicate,  or walk. Then having to  learn how to walk again with a zimmaframe. Living for 6 months at Harefield Hospital, my life was saved after waiting 16 months for a double lung transplant July 9th 2006. 
I was no longer wheelchair dependant or relying on oxygen 24 hours a day.

I have been selected to be part of a heart /lung transplant team to climb an active volcano, Cotopaxi in Ecuador that stands at 5897m. It will be with a film crew as we embark to make history of a never before venture. The trip will be to raise awareness of Organ Donation. This climb will challenge me with its height, altitude and its temperature as well as being mentally challenging. 

I am raising funds to help for specialist clothing/kit, travel for both Scotland (training) and Ecuador. 

If I reach my target, excess monies will be used for the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital Charity to go towards an Organ Care System. This will reduce deterioration of heart and lungs during transportation , meaning increased chances of a successful transplantation  and fewer post operative complications. It also extends the transplantation window from the existing 3 hour limit to 8 hours therefore having the ability to save more lives as well as providing other  significant medical benefits

Many thanks for your support. Every penny helps. Much love. Justine xx

For me info and to help with a small donation click here – https://www.justgiving.com/JUSTINE-LAYMOND5

My younger sister has had a double lung transplant – read all about her achievements in the last 12 months

Uncategorized,

So let’s forget for one moment that my younger sister, Justine, has had a double lung transplant. How many of you would go to a boot camp for exercise voluntarily? Not me that for sure. And on top of that she got 2 bronze medals for Great Britain in the World Transplant Games, held in South Africa this July. And then there is also the marathons and charity races that Justine ran this last 12 months.

Justine has written a fun and enlightening piece on her BLOG . You can also find my sister on twitter @lamlungartist

Below is an extract of the first few paragraphs –

It has been a hard year grafting with the exercise and pursuing the fitness regime and learning through Essex Boot Camp about a new way of eating called, Paleo. My weight remains the same but my body shape has become more defined.There have been many highs and some lows (when health blips) but overall it has been a great success with amazing results. Enjoy this journal and thanks as always to all at EBC.

In the photo above it was from November 2012 when I had tea with Samantha Cameron at No:10, Downing Street, the day I became Top 5 Inspirational Woman (Daily Mail) a very humbling day/experience.

October 2012
So, how did it all begin? I guess I was part of the…Oh I can’t do bootcamp that looks too tough and how does anyone do that? Fear and angst how I would ever be able to keep up and put my body through this type of fitness. My friend Mark (Ahlin), who most people know always used to talk about EBC. Mark used to say I should try this…no…nope, never, not for me was my normal response……then the Groupon offer came out and also the opportunity to have a free trial first session. So, I thought why not try a free session and see.

My first night, the instructor, Gabs (Gabriel) had the misfortune of helping me. I could barely do anything – my puff/lungs so bad and barely able to run around a small car park. Oh, how things have changed over the year. I actually enjoyed it and decided to go for the 10 sessions and then see how I felt about continuing. I arranged a visit to meet the directors, Glynn and James and explain my health situation. As no one would know to look at me I have had a double lung transplant and can struggle with shortness of breath. It was the reassurance I needed and then the rest is history as they say.

To read the rest click here.

20131127-071911.jpg