Vallejo teen breathing easy after double lung transplant
The Reporter, Vacaville, CA | BY MARIE F. ESTRADA/TIMES-HERALD, VALLEJO
For the first time in four years, 17-year-old Vallejo resident Justin Fowler can breathe clearly.
On Feb.16 Fowler received a double lung transplant at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, and for the first time in years, he said he can finally make plans for both the weekend and his future.
His transplants came in the nick of time. In the days leading up to his surgery, Justin's body was at a serious juncture. His lungs were shutting down, but he resisted a procedure that, while helping him, would have kicked him off the transplant list.
His grandmother said he fought for the new lungs, and months later Justin said he's feeling better every day.
A huge fan of the Giants, and new fan of the Vallejo Admirals, Fowler has plans to join the baseball team at Vallejo High School this fall as a junior -- regardless of whether he has to sit on the bench sometimes.
"I might have to work on my hitting," he said with a shy smile. "But hey, my defense is probably pretty good!"
Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age 5, the third generation Vallejo resident is no stranger to hospital rooms. In fact, in the last three years he has been home only 44 days, said his mom, Tina Fowler.
On Feb.16 Fowler received a double lung transplant at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, and for the first time in years, he said he can finally make plans for both the weekend and his future.
His transplants came in the nick of time. In the days leading up to his surgery, Justin's body was at a serious juncture. His lungs were shutting down, but he resisted a procedure that, while helping him, would have kicked him off the transplant list.
His grandmother said he fought for the new lungs, and months later Justin said he's feeling better every day.
A huge fan of the Giants, and new fan of the Vallejo Admirals, Fowler has plans to join the baseball team at Vallejo High School this fall as a junior -- regardless of whether he has to sit on the bench sometimes.
"I might have to work on my hitting," he said with a shy smile. "But hey, my defense is probably pretty good!"
Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age 5, the third generation Vallejo resident is no stranger to hospital rooms. In fact, in the last three years he has been home only 44 days, said his mom, Tina Fowler.
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