A decade ago, David Lyon started running the AJC Peachtree Road Race every year. But last summer, the fit, 70-year-old runner suddenly felt shortness of breath and then got worse. By the time the race day rolled around, Lyon, diagnosed with a rare lung disease, was tethered to an oxygen tank; his only chance of surviving was getting a lung transplant. His wife, Suzy, ordered special orange bands embossed with the words: “it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.” He placed one around his wrist and gave a matching one to his doctor, David Neujahr, medical director of the lung transplant program at Emory University Hospital.
Tomorrow, just nine months after receiving a life-saving lung transplant, performed by thoracic surgeon Dr. Felix Fernandez, Lyon will run the Peachtree once again. He will meet Neujahr at the finish line. Both will be wearing the orange bracelets, now slightly faded.
“What these bands say is true: getting a lung transplant is not a quick fix. It’s not just surgery and go home,” said Lyon, who lives in Roswell, and works as a business broker. “I will be on medication the rest of my life and there will be tests and monitoring but compared to the alternative, that’s OK with me.”
In past years, Lyon has completed the race in just over an hour. This year, he will walk most of the course, estimating a 10K completion time closer to one hour 45 minutes. But his race time is of little importance. Lyon ran a 5K in April to benefit organ donation to help prepare for the Peachtree.
Lyon’s lung transplant has been hailed a success. He joins a growing number of people over 65 getting lung transplants. Five years ago, lung transplants were rarely offered to people over 65, according to Neujahr. People over 65 now account for as much as 25 to 30 percent of the total number lung transplant recipients, he said.
A key component of maintaining a healthy transplanted lung is being physically fit, according to Neujahr. He added that while Lyon is now 71, he seems to have the physical fitness level of a man 10 years younger.
“Last year, I couldn’t get to the starting line and this year I am going to be at the finish line hopefully,” said Lyon. “I will be celebrating with every step.”
It’s also a big moment for Neujahr.
“It’s pretty awesome,” said Neujahr. “It’s a tough job and we can’t transplant everyone, a lot of people actually. You need times like this to know what is possible and it keeps you motivated to keep trying to do a good job with the transplant program.”
