Georgina Somerville-Petrie

Georgina (George) is 21 years old, and lives in Chertsey Surrey. She is in desperate need of a life-saving double lung transplant.

I didn't develop any symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis until after my first birthday, when I had my first serious chest infection which resulted in my first hospital admission for Intravenous antibiotics. Subsequently I was misdiagnosed as an asthmatic as this ran in the family.

During the next 6 months my health and weight declined steadily which resulted in a trip to A&E where a doctor casually mentioned Cystic Fibrosis (CF) for the first time. I was admitted immediately and after further tests, one of which a sweat test, it was confirmed I had CF.

Unfortunately it was also discovered at this time that my lungs had pseudomonas, a bug which can cause significant damage in CF lungs and that’s very hard to get rid of.  Luckily my mum was encouraged to learn how to administer IVs at home, so although I suffered frequent chest infections these were maintained at home to enable me to live life as a normal child.

When I was 9 years old my lung function dropped dramatically, from around 80% to 35% and it was discovered I had a fungal infection. This was the first time transplantation was mentioned. There followed a year of intense IV and steroid therapy, and frequent hospital admissions. I managed to get my lung function back up to 45% but from then on my life had changed dramatically requiring more time in hospital and my first portacath fitted.

This pattern continued throughout my teens, however this did not stop me pushing myself to keep up with my friends, as many of them didn't know exactly what was wrong with me and I was determined not to be treated any differently.

From my mid teens my lung function gradually declined, but I still enjoyed collage, working part time and an active social life. The last 3 years have been more difficult; I had to give up full time employment after my 18th birthday, when my lung function fell to 25-30% It was finally October 2010 when transplant was mentioned again, but at this time, my weight was too low.

Things took a major decline in June this year, when I was admitted with a chest infection and severe weight loss, and two weeks into my admission, my lung collapsed – just one week before my 21st birthday.  

After a battle with my weight I managed to get it stabilised. I was referred to Harefield in November and considered suitable for transplant, and I was finally listed in December. I have been left with a lung function currently at 14%. I need to use a wheelchair and oxygen now, and even the simplest things like getting dressed or even talking for any lengths of time I find I struggle with. My mum is now my full time carer, with help from my boyfriend in the evenings and at weekends.

When I first went on the waiting list, I was afraid to go far from home and expected each phone call to be “the one”. I have calmed down now and learnt to try to live life as normal, although it’s always at the back of my mind and each withheld number that calls my phone makes my stomach churn! After transplant, my biggest wish is just to re-start my life and enjoy doing all the things I tried to do before but struggled. I’m looking forward to regaining my independence and doing all the simple things like shopping, going to pubs and clubs with my friends and celebrating their birthdays. I want to do a charity run to raise money and awareness; it would be a real achievement as just getting dressed feels like I’m running a marathon at the moment.  

It’s the things most people take for granted; I can’t wait to get a job and be able to work again.  On days where I am feeling really unwell and every breath I take is a huge struggle I just wish the call would come so I can start living my life again.  

George keeps a blog which you can follow here: http://thesprogslife.blogspot.com/