Transplant journey update: On the list

By DEVIN WEEKS

Staff Writer

Just about two months after departing Coeur d'Alene for North Carolina, Jen McKenna is going to be placed on the organ transplant waiting list.

This will bring her one step closer to the double-lung transplant that will change — and save — her life.

Now, she waits.

"I feel relieved and excited," McKenna told The Press via text Thursday. "The longest part in the process is getting listed, or it feels like the longest part. Plus, prior to listing, there was no way I was gonna get lungs, even if the perfect set became available."

McKenna, 41, of Coeur d'Alene, was born with cystic fibrosis, a progressive, genetic disease that causes a buildup of mucus in the lungs. Her case is even trickier because of a nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection that developed in her lungs about 20 years ago.

NTM aside, things are going well for McKenna, who is staying with her mom in a rental house near the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where the procedure will take place. Her husband, Corey McKenna, will be visiting soon. The normally inseparable couple and adventure mates have never been apart this long.

"I have not seen her since February, so it will be great," Corey said in an email to The Press.

"Basically, now, she will continue (physical therapy) and getting stronger and play the waiting game," he wrote. "The head surgeon said their average wait time at UNC is about two months. For Jen, it could be sooner, could be later. Depends on blood match, body size and condition of the new lungs.

“Up to 50 percent of the time, it will be a dry run — meaning she will receive a call, head to the hospital, only to find out it is a no-go. That can happen for various reasons. But once it is officially a go, then it is about a 10- to 12-hour surgery, with about two weeks in the hospital post-surgery. She will most likely have to stay in North Carolina for about two months post-surgery before she is given clearance to return to Coeur d'Alene."

Jen said she's hoping for no dry runs, but she's ready to do whatever it takes.

"I envision waiting in a boring and uncomfortable hospital waiting room for 10 hours or so, and then we get word on whether or not I get lungs," she said. "I prefer for that to happen only once!"

In the meantime, Jen is indulging in foods she won't be able to have for a year or ever again after the operation, including fresh fruits and vegetables with the skin on, raw leafy greens, soft cheeses, grapefruit and sushi.

"Until the call comes in, though, the wait isn't as bad as you may think," she said. "At least so far, it isn't."

Cosmic Cowboy Grill will be donating 10 percent of sales to Jen's Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) account from 4 to 9 p.m. on April 23. The McKennas and their fundraising team are at nearly $31,000 of the $65,000 goal that will pay for whatever insurance doesn't cover of the estimated $500,000 procedure.

Jen and Corey are updating a blog at www.cota.org/campaigns/COTAforTeamMcKenna to keep their many friends and loved ones up to speed.

The Press will be checking in with the McKennas as they continue along this life-changing journey.