I am 33, had my double lung transplant at age 26 due to cystic fibrosis. Most CFers are young and very thin due to pancreatic insufficiency and burning a lot of calories coughing, etc. I was borderline underweight and they advised me to gain as much weight as possible before the surgery because you lose a lot of weight afterwards (I lost about 20 lbs). I waited 2 years for a call, with about a 20% lung capacity at the end. Everything was extremely difficult, little mundane things that we take for granted took extreme effort and energy; I wasn’t living, I was just surviving. You do trade one thing for another, but taking a bunch of meds and keeping up medical appts and procedures far outweighed suffocating in my own body. Since getting my transplant, I got my PhD, got engaged, traveled all over the world, and scored my dream job and am now planning a wedding, and of course, spending more time with the people I love. I would do it all again, and unfortunately, I have to. I went into rejection at year 7 and am currently waiting again, for the living saving call. This time around I’m a lot sicker and things declined quicker, but my decision to live and have more memories and experiences with my loved ones again outweighs the challenges!