Lung transplant patient improving after surgery

Deborah Hamlin, who underwent a bi-lateral lung transplant at Duke University in North Carolina on Sunday, December 24, in a five-hour surgery, was off the respirator and out of the intensive care unit, her son, Christopher, said on Tuesday, December 26.

Hamlin had been diagnosed with a chronic lung problem in 2002 and the condition had steadily declined to the point where she needed to undergo a double lung transplant. She and her husband, Harry, have been in North Carolina, where their son lives, since November 3 when Deborah began undergoing a five day a week regiment of rehab to strengthen her lungs while she awaited the surgery. Following the rehab her name was put on a list for the transplant. Chris said her name was on the list for only two days before a match was found.

Now that the transplant has been performed, Deb will undergo about six to eight additional weeks of rehab before she can go home. Harry Hamlin said the community assistance has helped keep them going.

The Hamlins also have a daughter, Teresa Leicht, who lives in Greece. Members of the Brockport Fire Department community came together for the couple and held several fundraising dinners and pancake breakfasts to help the Hamlin's defray the costs of the hotel in which they have stayed since arriving in North Carolina. Insurance is covering much of the medical costs associated with the surgery. Harry has been a firefighter with the Brockport department for about 35 years.

"We don't know how long mom's recovery time will be, as it's different for each patient, but right now she is doing well," Chris said. "All of the fundraisers held for my parents really took a burden off their shoulders. We are all so grateful for what everyone has done for our family."

December 31, 2006