Henry Ford Health forms the first COVID-linked dual lung transplant in Michigan

DETROIT Doctors at Henry Ford Hospital performed the first double lung transplant in Michigan linked to COVID-19.

‘Things were pretty foggy. I got sick so fast, “said Jackie Dennis.

Jackie Dennis, special education teacher, was diagnosed with COVID in November last year.

‘She went there with typical COVID symptoms. “She had cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache and nausea,” said Dr. Lisa Allenspach said.

Dennis was also pregnant. She gave birth to a baby girl she named Mia Rose. After giving birth, COVID quickly took over her lungs and body, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Doctors put Dennis on a breathing machine.

“ECMO is a heart-lung machine that we use to supply oxygen to the blood in the hope that the lung will recover after a bad infection like COVID,” said Dr. Victor Coba said.

Doctors said Dennis needed a double lung transplant. She underwent the transplant on Jan. 16 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. It was only seven weeks after her daughter was born.

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“I feel incredible. I feel pretty normal. I build strength, walk around. Things are a little difficult, maybe you take too many stairs to step up and down. “In general, I can do anything but pick up Mia,” said Dennis.

Dennis said she is grateful to friends and family. She wants to thank the family who lost a loved one to save her life.

‘If they ever wanted to meet us, or hear anything from us. I would be completely open to that. I would tell them I’m so sorry. But I am very grateful, “said Dennis.

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