GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — More than two years ago, Wayne Morgan was often out of breath and coughing all day long. He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and put on oxygen 24/7.
Then, his doctors recommended visiting Corewell Health for a possible double lung transplant. He did not have to wait long.
"He knew I was on the downslide," said Morgan about his doctor.
Just a couple weeks later, he was headed into surgery. He woke up with two new lungs.
"I remember the first time I actually went outside," said Morgan. "I walked down about five houses, turned around, came back, that's about all I could do at that point with a walker. I remember the breeze just hitting me in my face and I could breathe."
He said after recovery, he felt great after his transplant, and thinks "it's just wonderful" a donor would offer his gift of life.
Two years later, however, he began to get a complication. His large airway in his right lung had narrowed.
Doctors had an innovative idea: a 3D printed stent.
"The first time that such a stent has been placed here," said Dr. Reda Girgis, medical director of the lung transplant program at Corewell Health.
Dr. Girgis explains they measured Morgan's airways and sent the information into a program that then began printing.
"A custom silicone stent that's specifically designed to fit his airway anatomy perfectly," said Girgis.
Tuesday, Morgan visited Corewell Health a month after his stent surgery for a check up. His lungs were checked and he completed a six-minute walking test.
"Our expectation at this time is he's going to have an excellent long term outcome," said Girgis.
Morgan also rang a bell, marking another year of successful transplant. Because of his double lung transplant, he had the honor twice.
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