The University of Iowa Organ Transplant Center performed a double lung transplant on Randy McIntyre in June, five months after he had COVID-19, according to the University of Iowa Health Care.
"To be able to wake up every morning and breathe in fresh air is a wonderful thing," Randy McIntyre said in a quote on University of Iowa’s webpage.
McIntyre’s transplant marked the first out of the two lung transplants that have been performed at the transplant center that are COVID-related, according to the University of Iowa Health Care.
Before he had his transplant, McIntyre was not able to leave the hospital because of the extensive damage to his lungs. After his transplant, he was able to leave the hospital after just two weeks, according to the university.
McIntyre’s brother and nephew died within a day of each other prior to McIntyre having the life-changing surgery.
Psychological counseling was made available to him to cope with the losses, as advised by his care team, according to the University of Iowa Health Care.
"I feel great," McIntyre said.
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