Fiona Hinton, 42, from England, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2019. This rare condition progressively scars the lungs, making breathing difficult. She now faces a bleak future, potentially lasting only two years without a lung transplant. Despite this devastating diagnosis, Fiona remains hopeful, finding strength in her two-year-old son, Harry, who she conceived naturally after years of IVF treatment and a miscarriage. Fiona is determined to make precious memories with her family this Christmas.
A mum has been given the heart-breaking news that this Christmas could be her last after a devastating diagnosis.
While the thought of her son possibly not remembering her is "heartbreaking", she believes Harry has given her "hope". She is focused on creating lasting memories with her family this Christmas, while remaining hopeful for a lung donor match. At age 35, in 2017, Fiona developed a persistent dry cough and began feeling breathless after minimal activity, such as climbing stairs. Initially, she thought she “must be really unfit”, but despite increasing her exercise to improve her fitness, her condition did not change.
“It was a lot to process. Having to face your own mortality is its own special experience, particularly when you’re younger. It felt like I was losing the opportunity to live essentially, it was a tough pill to swallow.” Her pregnancy was challenging; she felt even more breathless and, near the end, required a wheelchair and higher oxygen levels. While the birth by Caesarian section in October 2022 went smoothly, Fiona struggled with postnatal depression and received support from the charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Day to day, Fiona remains physically exhausted, struggles to breathe, and must be vigilant about avoiding colds and infections. Despite her challenges, she feels her illness has deepened her appreciation for her loved ones and helped her realise there is life after a terminal diagnosis.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Terminal Illness Lung Transplant Motherhood Hope
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