Colorado Double Lung Transplant Recipient Survives COVID: 'My Donor Saved Me Twice'
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - In 2016, a double lung transplant saved the life of a Colorado Springs woman. In 2020, those lungs were tested when she caught COVID-19.
Linda Regis told Health Specialist Kathy Walsh, once again, her organ donor saved her life.
"My lung capacity was to where I couldn't breathe anymore," Regis explained.
Linda had end stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For 8 years, she depended on oxygen.
"Me looking probably at the end of surviving," she said, describing her declining health.
But in November 2016, Regis had a double lung transplant at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. She was given the lungs of a 32-year-old Colorado man, Shakespeare Log, who died from a brain aneurysm.
Three years later, Regis bonded with his family over the Denver Broncos and their love of the selfless young man.
"He walks with me every single day," she said at the get together. "It's not me. This is Shakespeare."
In the summer of 2020, 62-year-old Regis put Log's gift of life to the test. She was hospitalized at UCHealth with COVID-19. She went home after 6 days, but within a week she was back.
"It was like a brick hit me," she explained.
Regis was put in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator. She was so sick, her kidneys were failing.
"I was at the point where they didn't think I was going to make it," she said.
Incredibly, she recovered. Linda credits the heroes at UCHealth and her personal hero, Shakespeare Log.
"His lungs were strong enough to pull me through," Regis said.
Fifty-four days later, she went home.
"My donor saved me twice," said Regis.
With every breath she takes, Linda thanks Shakespeare.
"So blessed, so grateful, so humbled."
