‘Courageous’ Becky well after world-first op

A YOUNG Dublin woman has made medical history after a double world-first operation to cure her lung condition.

Becky Jones, 20, is now out of intensive care following the surgery, which was performed at the end of May.!!

She was airlifted from her home in Dublin for the groundbreaking treatment by world leading experts at University Hospital of South Manchester.

Becky made history twice by being the first patient to have a lung transplant while suffering from multi-resistant aspergillus, a common airborne fungus, and multiple fungal balls in her old lungs. Lung transplant patients have never before been able to have the operation while suffering from either of these conditions.

Aspergillus is a large number of diseases involving both infection and growth of fungus, as well as allergic responses.

The condition had left Becky virtually house-bound, unable to walk properly, climb stairs or go out with friends. She had been on the waiting list for over a year and was accepted for transplant only because the Manchester hospital houses the National Aspergillosis Centre.

On May 29 she underwent the historic op and just 18 days later is out of intensive care, tucking into her food and making plans for a future. “Words simply cannot begin to describe the pure relief I feel,” Becky said. “The chains have been lifted, I can breathe. I can’t for the life of me remember feeling so well. I now plan to travel and study fashion design at college. The world is officially my oyster.”

Professor David Denning, director of the National Aspergillosis Centre, said: “Becky’s transplant brings together a remarkable set of expertise, in fungal infection, molecular testing, advanced transplantation techniques and intensive care, all under one roof.

“With increasing anti-fungal resistance since 2004, she is a courageous torchbearer for others,” Prof Denning said.

Becky first developed aspergillosis because she has cystic fibrosis and became allergic to the aspergillus.

Because she needed special drugs to improve her breathing, the fungus grew in her damaged airways to form large fungal balls, known as aspergillomas. She was treated with an anti-fungal drug but the fungus developed resistance.

Becky is now on preventative antifungal agents to minimise the risk of life-threatening invasive aspergillosis, which is common after lung transplantation because of immune suppression to prevent rejection.