Over the previous few weeks the whole country has been following a both heart-breaking and heart-warming story that seems to have broken through to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Orla Tinsley, a well-known campaigner and journalist around cystic fibrosis, had been Tweeting about her experience of being in hospital desparately awaiting a life-saving double lung transplant. Over the years she has become one of the most prominent campaigners for various causes and organisations related to cystic fibrosis in Ireland and as such her recent struggles, and her GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of a double lung transplant, had gained significant attention, both from her followers and throughout the country.
In the run up to Christmas she had sent several Tweets about her increasingly fragile health, emphasising that the time was running out for her to receive the transplant she so desperately needed.
Today is a bad health day. Muppets Christmas Carol is a good solution.
— Orla Tinsley (@orlatinsley) December 13, 2017
Believing in Lucky Number 7. Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise ✨??
— Orla Tinsley (@orlatinsley) December 14, 2017
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On December 21 however, she sent out a Tweet that she had finally received the news that she'd been waiting for; that a pair of donor lungs had become available and that she would be undergoing the life-saving surgery.
This morning we got a call but I wanted to wait. Well, here it is, Lucky Number7. I’m not afraid..Please send love, prayers and best wishes. Double lung transplant is a go! Love love love #BEATCF
— Orla Tinsley (@orlatinsley) December 21, 2017
Given the severe nature of such an operation she had been off social media since posting this last update. However, today she let all her followers know that she is well on the road to recovery following the surgery and that she spent Christmas day recovering from the operation surrounded by her family and emphasising how grateful she was to have been given this opportunity by the donor.
1. Thank you, everyone, for all your love and support. I now have shiny new lungs and spent yesterday, with my family, thinking of my donor and their family I am forever grateful for their forward thinking and generosity. #recycleyourself #beatcf
— Orla Tinsley (@orlatinsley) December 26, 2017
While the road to complete recovery will undoubtedly be difficult, it's fantastic to hear that the operation was a success and that, through the generosity of a stranger's loss, she has been given a new lease of life.
If you would like to donate to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland to help people in Orla's position simply follow the link.
