|
Lung transplant is living his life to its fullest May 28th, 2003 Avon Lake Press By Melissa Linebrink Last year at this time, Sheffield Lake resident Bruce Golomboski, could not stand without losing his breath. He spoke very little because when he did it took his breath away. However, on Sept. 16, 2002, Golomboski's received a gift-the gift of life. It was on this day that Golomboski received a double lung transplant at Duke University in North Carolina. Without the transplant, Golomboski would have died. In 1997, when he was 29-years-old, Golomboski was diagnosed with a rare congenital lung disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's website, www.nhlbi.hih.gov, alpha-1 antitrypsin is a protein that is made in the liver. The liver then releases this protein into a person's bloodstream. Alpha-1 antitrypsin protects the lungs and keeps them in working order. Without enough of the protein, the lungs can be damaged, making breathing increasingly difficult. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited genetic disorder, which causes either low levels or no alpha-1 antitrypsin. Both of Golomboski's parents, Joe and Emily, are carriers of the defective gene. Approximately seven years ago is when Golomboski noticed the first signs of the disease-shortness of breath, sometimes for no reason. Not knowing he had the disease, Golomboski smoked early in his life, for about 15 years. He now knows that sped the progression of the disease by 10 years. He also worked at ALCO Manufacturing in Elyria as a machinist where a variety of chemicals were emitted into the air. Emily also remembers when Bruce would sit by the
family's campfire at night when he was a young boy. However, no one knew that
sitting by a campfire would result in this disease being activated in Golomboski
at a young age. While there is no known cure for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a lung transplant was the only way Bruce could go on living. In an April 2002 interview with Golomboski, he stated that he was looking forward to "taking a walk around his block." Today, Golomboski rides a bicycle, goes bowling and works on his '64 Ford (while wearing a protective mask). In fact, recently he put a new set of brakes on his mother's car. "I am a normal person now," he said. "I couldn't be any happier." However, the road to his new life was bumpy at times. Before Golomboski received his new set of lungs, he had to get some of his strength back he lost while the disease was taking over his body. He did this through rehabilitation at Duke University. The team of surgeons had to make sure he was able to survive the double lung transplant surgery. After he was in stable condition, he was placed on the transplant list. Golomboski was on "active" status for 26 days when his new lungs became available. However, before he received the lungs he has today, he received a call two times before Sept. 16 that lungs had been found for him, but they were not compatible. Had Golomboski not received the lung transplant when he did, doctors estimated he would only have survived another three months. Throughout the progression of his disease, Golomboski's vision began to deteriorate to the point where he was considered legally blind. While he still is considered legally blind, he now wears special glasses and uses a hand-held magnifier when reading. Golomboski knows that for the past several years his mother has sacrificed her life to assist her son. Today, the roles are reversed. "I take care of my mom now," he said. "She took care of me for five years and now it's my turn. I do the things (around the house) that she doesn't need to do." Both Bruce and Emily were quick to point out that Bruce would not be here today without the support of the New Haven Baptist Church in Sheffield Village, various merchants and friends in Lorain County and his brother, Scott. Scott spearheaded a number of fund-raising activities in his town of Norton, Ohio. Looking at her son, Emily knows it was a miracle that saved his life. "My son has been given back to me," she said.
Source: |