A young woman waiting for a double lung transplant has spoken about life on the transplant list.

While her friends are busy working, travelling, buying houses and having families, Sharee McPhail’s life has been put on hold.

The 27-year-old, of Moser Avenue, Swain House, Bradford, was born with the genetically inherited life-threatening condition cystic fibrosis and by the end of last year her lungs were so badly damaged doctors told her she needed a transplant.

Sharee, who has told of her experiences during Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week, was put on the transplant list in January.

She said: “I felt relieved there was a next step but frightened at the same time because there is a one in ten chance that you will die on the operating table or you might not get a transplant at all.

“The reality of my life compared to that of some of my friends, is that I know in no uncertain terms if I don’t get a transplant I will die and until that call comes my life is on hold. It’s like I’m just existing, not living.”

Sharee, a dance teacher, thought that call had come on May 4 when the transplant co-ordinator rang at 5.30pm to say a possible match had been found.

She set off for the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and, after she underwent tests, doctors said the donor’s lungs needed to be made fit for transplant.

Unfortunately, the next morning Sharee was told the lungs were too big for her and would go to another patient in the hospital.

  • Read the full story in Saturday's T&A