GILBERT, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) — A mother in Arizona received a gift just before Christmas that she will never forget.
Jamie Arango waited six years to hear she finally had a match for a lung transplant.
That waiting period dropped to three weeks for the Gilbert mother just ahead of Christmas because of how severe her case was.
Arango would often have to sit out of holiday activities, like walking through neighborhoods to see Christmas lights. This year, however, she said she is happy to be involved and does not plan on taking any of it for granted.
“My children said we don’t want anything for Christmas because we got the greatest gift, which is you, healthier,” Arango said.
When Arango was 17 years old, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a debilitating illness that attacks the lungs.
However, she continued on with her life as a state champion gymnast, and a collegiate cheerleader and she traveled the world with her high school sweetheart who is now her husband.
However, when it was time for the couple to have children, she said her condition became more severe.
“Pregnancy definitely worsened it,” she said. “After the birth of my daughter and my second child, I was in intensive care for weeks and I needed oxygen 24 hours a day.”
Arango’s health was declining, a situation the new mother said was scary.
“At that time, I was told that I would need a double lung transplant,” she said.
The 46-year-old was living in New Jersey and was rejected from multiple lung transplant centers on the East Coast due to the complexity of her case.
She felt hopeful again after she was referred to the Norton Thoracic Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix.
“They take more challenging cases and they’re the only ones that told me yes,” she said. “It was a relief because I felt at least I had a chance.”
Without that chance, she said she feels it would have been a death sentence.
Arango and her family then packed up their entire life and moved to Phoenix, hoping they would get the call for a match.
“I was willing to do anything,” she said. “We didn’t know a soul here.”
Six challenging years went by, however, with no developments.
“They said that I would not be compatible with 99% of the population,” she said. “Sure, you’re always waiting for that phone to ring but there’s a chance it never would because they told me I would need that one-in-a-million perfect match.”
Arango’s life would finally change this fall.
“They called to tell me they had a donor,” she said. “It really was a miracle.”
Two days later, Arango went through the eight-hour procedure and received a new pair of lungs.
“I’m always grateful to be alive, but I’m extra grateful. And I’m extra grateful for the donor and their family,” she said.
Dr. Ashwini Arjuna, a pulmonologist at St. Joseph’s, said the average wait time for a lung transplant is usually two to three weeks.
“In Jamie’s case, I think six-plus years. It’s one of the longest wait times that we have spoken about or even heard,” Arjuna said. “One in a million. It was literally a needle in the haystack.”
The St. Joseph’s team was determined to have Arango celebrate Christmas with her family for many years to come.
“When you see them take their first breath with no oxygen attached, it’s a joy that nobody can put a value on,” Arjuna said.
“I’m so grateful they took a chance on me,” Arango said.
Arango said she could not be more thankful and grateful for all of the doctors who helped her in this journey and encouraged the community to be organ donors.
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