Henry Ford Health preforms the first double lung transplant linked to COVID in Michigan

DETROIT – Doctors at Henry Ford Hospital performed the first COVID-19-related double lung transplant in Michigan.

“It simply came to our notice then. I got sick so fast, ”said Jackie Dennis.

Special education teacher Jackie Dennis was diagnosed with COVID in November last year.

“He went there with typical COVID symptoms. I had a cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache and nausea, “said Dr. Lisa Allenspach.

Dennis was also pregnant. She gave birth to a baby girl named Mia Rose. After giving birth, COVID quickly seized her lungs and body and made it difficult for her to breathe.

Doctors put Dennis on a breathing machine.

“The ECMO is a heart-lung machine that we use to provide oxygen to the blood in the hope that the lung will recover after a bad infection like COVID,” said Dr. Victor Coba.

Doctors said Dennis needed a double lung transplant. On January 16, he underwent a transplant at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. It was only seven weeks after the birth of her daughter.

Announcements

“I feel amazing. I feel pretty normal. I’m gaining strength, walking. Things are a little difficult, maybe taking too many steps up and down the stairs. In general, I can do everything I want, in addition to picking up Mia, still, ”said Dennis.

Dennis said he appreciates friends and family. He wants to thank the family who lost a loved one to save his life.

“If they ever wanted to meet us or hear something about us. I would be totally open to that. I would tell them I’m sorry. But I’m very grateful, “said Dennis.

TO READ: More health coverage