Kylie Alford works out at the Fernwood Gym in Narre Warren with manager Joy Drake. 67329
By Danielle Galvin
KYLIE Alford is determined.
She works out for an hour each day, an impressive feat considering she had a double lung transplant in February.
The 30-year-old Berwick woman suffers from cystic fibrosis.
“I was basically bedridden in the last year before my transplant,” she said.
Her lungs were deteriorating so much that she had to be hooked up to an oxygen tank and on intravenous lines 24 hours a day.
“I had to carry an oxygen tank with me into every room of my house. I hated being wheeled around in a wheelchair, too.”
Organ donation is an important topic for Kylie. If it wasn’t for the family of her organ donor, she believes she wouldn’t be alive today.
“I was really sick leading up to the transplant and I was running out of time. At any given time, there are 1700 people on the waiting list and a significant amount of those will miss out,” she said.
The vivacious Berwick primary school teacher is enjoying being back on her feet.
“I know it sounds silly but even being able to do the housework again is good. I can’t explain what it’s like to have someone do everything for you,” she said.
While the past year has been the toughest of her life, Kylie has a renewed zest for life.
“I’m just so happy to be alive. Going shopping, to the movies, and walking the dogs again is amazing.”
After her transplant surgery earlier this year, Kylie has had to work on keeping her lungs strong and healthy.
“To increase your lung function, you have to stay active. I walk my dogs on my days off,” she said.
The team at the Fernwood Women’s Health Club in Narre Warren have been a big help.
Joy Drake, the manager of the gym, says Kylie has her own program tailored to her needs.
“Normally we redo programs every six to eight weeks, but for Kylie we redo the programs on a three to four week basis. Her fitness level is changing all the time, she is a determined young lady,” Joy said.
Kylie has been given a free six month membership.
Over the next few months, Kylie is lookingforward to going on a holiday and planning her wedding.
“I’m looking into doing some volunteer work. I hope that I can inspire people to hold on and get through it, particularly those with cystic fibrosis.”
She’s also keen to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis and organ donation in Australia.
“We have one of the lowest rates of organ donation in the world. People who want to be organ donors should talk to their families,” she said.
Kylie’s plan for the coming years is to stay positive about the disease that nearly took her life.
“I have to thank my donor family, the transplant team at The Alfred hospital and the girls at Fernwood. The support has been incredible.”
For more information on organdonation, visit www.donatelife.gov.au. To donate to cystic fibrosis and learn more about the disease, visit www.cfv.org.au.
