Wilbur

Birth Date
12/19/1956

Gender
Male

Heritage
German, English, Indian

Nationality
American

Alpha type
lung

Alpha gene
ZZ

Last FEV1
16%

Diagnosed
August 1993

Treatment
Prolastin, nebulizer, and Advair

TX Listed
February 2003

TX Hospital
Unv. of Virginia

Siblings
2

Children
4

Wilbur A.Whitlock a.k.a. Wilbur or Allan

Alpha Angel as of 2005

Winchester, Virginia

I was an Auto Parts Store Manager

Favorite color is Blue

Likes most genres of music

Enjoys sports, antiques and autos

Has 2 dogs and 3 cats

Favorite quote "Always live for tommorrow"

9/13/2003 It all started in August of 1993. I became shorter and shorter of breath, lung infections seemed to show up alot more and severe loss of weight. I was only 36 years of age at the time. I blamed it on a divorce I was going through after 18 years of marriage. Stress, anxiety etc. I was camping with friends and family and bent over and couldn't get my breath. I laid down in my camper until I could relax enough to breath and made it through the night. Went to urgent care center next day. The doctor on duty was very knowledgeable, said I had severe Bronchitis but he felt I was in alot more trouble than we thought. He set me up with my pulmonary doctor I have now. My pulmonary doctor ran a bunch of tests and treated me. The age I was, the weight loss and FEV level lead him to check for Alpha 1. He sent my blood off for tests and came back positive; I was a ZZ. He told me at that point I was in alot of trouble, and to quit smoking, start eating better, try to stay in shape, and we should try Prolastin. He also told me this was going to be a disease that would progressively get worse and he couldn't give me a real time frame. This was all devastating for me. So I did all he told me and slowed down my life style, changed jobs and raised my son who was 11 at the time by myself, that sure kept my mind off things a bit.

It has been 10 years now and have been fortunate with my quality life, considering all. Still able to work, and no full time O2 so far. My FEV level has fallen to 16% so I was evaluated for transplant in Feb.2003. I was accepted and have been listed since then, approx.8 mos. I have been very fortunate in my life to make it this far and have a second chance someday of a fairly normal life. I have since remarried and have three great step children as well as my son. The support they give me is unbelievable; I am very blessed. Hope the next time we talk I'll have those new lungs.

Thanks for listening,

Wilbur Whitlock ZZ Winchester Virginia

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