A mum that was having issues with her breathing and suffering from severe tiredness was devastated to discover she was different from a horrifying life-threatening illness that may require a vital organ transplant.
Tracey Cook, 54, was understood to have been in relatively strong health as she worked up to three jobs in 2008. But the mother was forced to give up her employment as she was forced to stay in her home due to suffering from a bout of tiredness.
Upon a visit to the doctors for issues with her breathing, she was informed that the issue was hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by an allergic reaction. But the problem continued for a number of years as her health also began to deteriorate.
In February 2022, the Hull mum was told the heartbreaking news that the illness was in fact something more sinister. She was given the diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis, a lung disease that scars lung tissue - the reason for the shortness of breath, Hull Live reports.
At the clinic, she was told there is no cure for it or treatment that can stop or reverse the scarring of the lungs. One of her only options would be to undergo a lung transplant. She said: "I was heartbroken when I found out. They asked me how I would feel about a lung transplant and I was gobsmacked and didn't know what to say, I am only 54.
"This disease causes my oxygen levels to drop, sometimes below 80 and I just can't do anything. I am too tired to do anything, it has ruined my life.
"Sometimes you want to do things in life but I cannot. I wanted to go out the other day and I could not handle it and had to sleep instead, I am tired all the time. The fatigue is awful and the breathlessness I get really frightens me."
The heartbroken woman said she had never heard of the illness before she was diagnosed with it, but understands this will change her life for the worse. Because of her own experience, she wants to now raise awareness for the illness as she believes many other people who may be living with mild symptoms could unknowingly have it.
Tracey adds she does not know the cause of her illness. Pulmonary Fibrosis usually affects people who are around 70 to 75 years old and is rare in people under 50. The symptoms tend to develop gradually and get slowly worse over time. According to the NHS, the symptoms can include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, tiredness, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
The NHS website states: "Many people ignore their breathlessness at first and blame it on getting old or being out of shape. But eventually, even light activity such as getting dressed can cause shortness of breath."
In the coming weeks, Tracey will be returning to the hospital to see what options lie ahead for her.
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