ALMOST a year to the day that Karen Lyons underwent a life-saving double lung transplant, she has marked another significant milestone.
The Enniskillen woman (32) was a picture of joy yesterday as she married Greg Piergrosse (36).
The happy couple tied the knot at Enniskillen Town Hall in front of 60 close friends and family before celebrating at The Ceili House.
Speaking ahead of the service, she said that around this time last year she had just "days to live and (was) terrified I would never make it".
But one year on, she said she has "finally got her life back".
Ms Lyons suffers from pulmonary surfactant metabolism dysfunction type two, a condition which means her lungs were not lubricated enough to allow oxygen to pass through properly.
She had been living in Australia with Mr Piergrosse when, during a routine tuberculosis check-up for a visa to allow her to become a resident in the country, it was discovered her lungs were severely scarred.
Returning home to Northern Ireland, medics advised her that a transplant was needed and she was placed on a waiting list in September 2017.
Two months later, scans showed her gallbladder had become inflamed and a clot in her heart was discovered. She spent five days in intensive care with eight litres of fluid drained from her lungs.
She was transferred to hospital in Newcastle, where prior to the surgery, she was receiving oxygen 24 hours a day as she only had a lung function of 20 per cent.
Ms Lyons underwent the life-saving operation double lung transplant on January 23 last year after a donor was found. Since then, she has gone from strength to strength.
"The difference one year can make," she said.
"It was my one year 'lungaverasry' on Tuesday and I had my one year bronchoscopy and biopsies carried out. I am over the moon and delighted to say I have no rejection and all looking great.
"Last year I had days to live and terrified I would never make it waiting for the right lungs.
"Luckily the beautiful new lungs came and gave me my life back. Because of my angel donor I have been able to start living and dreaming again."
And yesterday Ms Lyons was finally able to marry the "love of my life" after they had to cancel their big day on two previous occasions due to her ill health.
"He is my rock," she said.
"I am so grateful and mindful of my angel donor and her family.
"I wish I could hug her and tell her all about my new life, hopes and dreams that she is making come true. I am forever grateful and so incredibly lucky to be continuing my lung story.
"Here's to many, many more years."
