The air in Phoenix seems a bit sweeter these days, at least for one Arizona woman who is breathing easier—and singing—after a life-altering double lung transplant. Alexandra Briskey, who endured years of struggle with a dangerous autoimmune condition, underwent the transformative surgery at the Norton Thoracic Institute at Dignity Health, as detailed by FOX 10 Phoenix. "It's completely changed my life. I'm here and I'm able to raise my two children, be with my family and move forward," Briskey said, looking ahead to more family Christmases and everyday moments made precious post-operation.
Confronted with scleroderma that escalated into interstitial lung disease, Briskey's journey to the operating room wasn't without its hardships; a fact emphasized in coverage by KTAR News. The birth of her second child was smooth sailing but as the disease progressed, she required substantial oxygen support at home, and a bout with pneumonia landed her in the hospital, where her candidacy for a transplant was swiftly recognized. She didn't have to wait long—three days on the list before she received her new lungs.
Recovery is not without its challenges: Briskey navigates her path back to health with diligent medication management, a commitment she gladly embraces for the ability to serenade her children at bedtime. The sound of her voice had once been a lullaby to only her oldest, but now her youngest, too, has the nightly comfort of her singing, a simple pleasure that holds immeasurable joy for the family. "We sing a goodnight song as a family every night," she shared, with a happiness seemingly as profound as the breaths she now easily takes.
Hope is a powerful medicine, and with each note Briskey sings, it's evident her journey is as much a triumph of spirit as it is a medical marvel—she looks forward to picking up old hobbies like hiking and swimming, and increasing her vocal strength, "But with time, I’ve been able to slowly build up the strength to get back to the things I love," Briskey revealed, the sound of her voice a symbol of her resilience and the new lease on life she's been granted, a reminder of the possibilities that come with hope and advanced medical care.
