The Gift Of Life

Shaylene Perry, 34, Founder and Managing Director of Love Life; Gift Life, Is a Lung Transplant Survivor Who Appreciates Every Moment She Spends With Her Husband, Ryan, 35, and Daughter, Taylor, 4. Shaylene Lives With Her Family in Honeydew, Joburg

- Joanne Garland

It was devastating to find out I was terminally ill at the age of 25. Just two weeks before my first lung operation, I’d qualified as a chartered accountant, but despite this achievement, I felt like my life was over, even though it had only just begun.

Initially, I thought I was unfit and struggled to climb stairs and walk long distances. As my condition progressed, I realised it was more than that, and was treated and tested for everything possible, enduring numerous surgeries. The medical professionals were unable to diagnose the cause of my continual lung collapses. Fortunately, on my third admission to hospital, a pulmonologist finally diagnosed my illness – lymphangioleiomyomatosis – a rare lung disease with only a handful of sufferers, who are predominantly women.

After a challenging but fulfilling pregnancy, my daughter, Taylor, was born. My childhood sweetheart and husband, Ryan, was at my side. Luckily, my lung function had been reasonably stable until then. Our beautiful child arrived well and healthy. Shortly after my daughter’s first birthday, we moved to Joburg, and my lung function declined – the disease progressed rapidly. Within a few months, I was on oxygen 24 hours a day. A lung transplant was the only option I had if I wanted to live!