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As a child, Howell Graham was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that often affects the lungs.
In 1990, he had a double-lung transplant — a risky, experimental operation at the time. Today, Howell is one of the longest-surviving recipients of that surgery.
Here, Howell and his mom, Nan, remember the days after his surgery.
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Piece Description
As a child, Howell Graham was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that often affects the lungs.
In 1990, he had a double-lung transplant — a risky, experimental operation at the time. Today, Howell is one of the longest-surviving recipients of that surgery.
Here, Howell and his mom, Nan, remember the days after his surgery.
Broadcast History
NPR Morning Edition 7/22/11
Transcript
Howell Graham (HG): I remember waking up from the surgery being on the vent and seeing this absolutely beautiful brunette nurse. She held my hand her entire shift. And I was kind of in and out of consciousness. And I guess the following shift a male nurse came in—this big burly dude—
Nan Graham (NG): (laughs)
HG: And I was not happy at all. Couldn't talk because I was on the ventilator but I just was writing notes like, “Get him the heck out of here,” and “I don't want this guy, get me the girl back and—“
NG: Lots of cursing. Lots of cursing.
HG: Lots of cursing. And my—my dad was tearing up the notes because he was scared the male nurse would find the notes and kill me.
NG: (laughs)
HG: So he spent his time intercepting my hate notes.
NG: Which is kind of understandable. When did you get out of the hospital?
HG: It was a month later.
NG: And when you got home, things were goi...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Fridays we hear from StoryCorps -- this project travels the country, recording the stories of everyday people.
As a child, Howell Graham was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis-- a genetic disease that often affects the lungs.
By his late 20s, Howell would lose his breath... doing things as simple as brushing his teeth...
So he underwent a risky operation …In 1990, he had a double lung transplant…
And today, Howell is one of the longest surviving recipients of that surgery.
Recently, Howell and his mom, Nan remembered a few times when it seemed like he might not make it…
"I remember waking up...life is good."
Howell Graham and his mom Nan at StoryCorps in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Their conversation will be archived with all others at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Get the PODCAST at NPR dot ORG.
This is NPR News.
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mother of Pearl | Pram | The Museum of Imaginary Animals. | Merge | 2000 | 00:26 |
Additional Credits
NPR, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Principal Financial Group
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