- Teacher Emily Presley, 46, was in hospital for more than 16 months.
- At one point, he had to undergo two double lung transplants in a matter of days.
- She died surrounded by family on Tuesday at 4 a.m.
A Kentucky woman who thought she was going to the doctor for a cold but ended up with a horrible illness that forced her to receive a double lung transplant and spend months on a ventilator has died.
Teacher Emily Presley, 46, went to the doctor for what she thought was a cold in May 2022. Her husband said that before that, she was a “picture of health” who rarely got sick.
He ended up in hospital for 16 months after serious infections developed and four months on an advanced ventilator doing the work of his heart and lungs.
Presley eventually suffered infections that compromised his lungs and had a virus that caused inflammation throughout his body.
In October 2022, he had to undergo a pair of double lung transplants a few days apart because ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) had destroyed his lungs.
A Kentucky woman who thought she was going to the doctor for a cold has died, but ended up with a horrible illness that forced her to have a double lung transplant and spend months on a ventilator.
Teacher Emily Presley, 46, went to the doctor for what she thought was a cold in May 2022. Her husband said that before that, she was a “picture of health” who rarely got sick.
“Time and time again she defied the odds,” said her husband Jeff Presley. ‘Who could pass such a test? Emily.’
Presley’s immune system reacted negatively to the proteins in the new lungs and it was recommended that they be removed and included again for a transplant.
‘I told the medical team that Emily and I love our life together. We love our friends. We love our community. So if there’s a chance she can survive and have a good quality of life, then the answer to a second transplant is “yes,” Jeff Presley said.
Within 24 hours, he received another match and the transplant was successful.
She was finally able to return home and spend Thanksgiving 2023 with her husband, two children, and her new lungs.
“I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving and I am so glad my Northwestern Medicine lung transplant team was able to take me home to share that gratitude with my family, friends and the Lexington community,” Presley said at that moment.
“It’s wonderful to be home with my kids and my dog.”
Unfortunately, while he had plans to return to teaching, his health eventually declined again.
He ended up in hospital for 16 months after serious infections developed and four months on an advanced ventilator doing the work of his heart and lungs.
Unfortunately, although he had plans to return to teaching, his health eventually declined again.
Her family confirmed that she died surrounded by her loved ones at 4 a.m. Tuesday.
‘She was ready. She was prepared. And she took everything she had,” said her husband Jeff.
“Emily’s radiance went a long way and impacted people deeply,” added Sister Leslie Cunningham.
Her husband and two teenage children were helped during this ordeal with a gofundme which attracted more than $100,000 in donations.
The family will celebrate his life over the weekend.