Lung transplant patient on healthcare, organ donation

By Anelia K. Dimitrova

Troy Lindaman has battled cystic fibrosis for as far back as he remembers.

In March 2008, he was put on the waiting list for a new pair of lungs.

In the meantime, his company, Merrill Lynch, merged with Bank of America and he had an unsuccessful dry run with lungs that did not fit.

Three months ago, the 42-year-old Shell Rock, Iowa, native underwent a successful double-lung transplant operation at the University of Iowa where, among other procedures, his surgeon had to tie over 100 vessels by hand.

It was quite a journey, Troy says.

A financial advisor for Merrill Lynch, Troy says the government should stay out of the healthcare business.

After going through as many healthcare issues as I have, I hope they dont get it like Canada where it is nationalized healthcare, Troy says as he munches, in the company of his family, on his favorite broasted chicken at a Main Street joint in Waverly. Theres always an old adage if you want to see how expensive something is, just make it free. Whats going to happen is that all the best surgeons and doctors are going to end up leaving the United States because the government is going to control how much they can make and what they can do.

Thankful for the gift that he has received from a 26-year-old man in Ohio, Troy urges prospective donors to tell their families exactly what they want done with their organs.

Its not a given, just because you have a legal document that says you want to be a donor, does not mean that you are going to be one, Troy says. They ca change it and you have lost your vote.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• lung transplant
• organ donors

[pal98111]

I hope you are well. You are blessed to be bright and succesful. To be born in the USA and have a good job that provides health insurance. I hope that you don't forget the rest of the people who don't have access to health care. You had a $100,000 operation and others cannot even afford meds for diabetes. I know someone like this. He lost his job and unemployment doesn't cover meds. It is my hope that anyone who needs medical care and meds can get them.

[4x4gpyj]

Congrats! It is good to hear your story! I wish the news stations could put your story on TV.

[rryking]

Congratulations! I'm happy for you and your family. You look very well. How do you feel