Imagine being a healthy 22-year-old, and suddenly finding yourself fighting for your life. That’s exactly what happened to Jackson Allard, a resident of North Dakota. In a shocking turn of events, he ended up requiring a double lung transplant after being on life support for 70 days.
What started as a stomach ache led to a medical emergency when his oxygen levels dropped dangerously low. Allard was admitted to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with parainfluenza, a respiratory virus that progressed into pneumonia and ultimately acute respiratory distress syndrome. His lungs were filled with fluid, leaving no space for his heart to even be seen on an X-ray.
Allard’s grandmother, Doreen Hurlburt, revealed that he had been using e-cigarettes since his teenage years but had recently increased his vaping habit. She admitted, “He had no idea how bad it was for him. The day before he was intubated, he said, ‘I had no idea I could get this sick.'”
Jackson Allard with his mother Jaime Foertsch. (Courtesy Jaime Foertsch)
Scientists are still struggling to fully understand the connection between vaping and lung disease, making it unclear how vaping contributed to Allard’s condition. Some studies suggest that using e-cigarettes may increase susceptibility to respiratory tract infections. Dr. Brian Keller, the medical director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Lung Transplantation Program, explained that e-cigarette use can damage blood vessels and the cells lining the lungs. However, which specific compounds in e-cigarettes pose the greatest risk to human health is still being investigated.
Allard’s doctors suspected that his vaping habit hindered his recovery from the initial viral infection. After a long and arduous journey, which included being placed on a life-support device called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), Allard finally received a double lung transplant. His mother, Jaime Foertsch, received the call on New Year’s Eve that a pair of new lungs had been allocated to her son. By January 5th, he no longer required life support.
Jackson Allard in the hospital. (Courtesy Jaime Foertsch)
Although Allard is still on a ventilator in the ICU, he has made remarkable progress. He can now stand, take a few steps with assistance, and communicate with the medical staff. The road to recovery will require close monitoring and rehabilitation, but Allard’s family remains optimistic.
Lung transplants are relatively rare, especially for individuals under the age of 50. While most vaping-related lung injuries do not require a transplant, patients usually need respiratory support such as supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation. Allard’s case is not the first of its kind; there have been a few reported instances of lung transplant recipients with a history of vaping.
For Allard and his family, this double lung transplant signifies not only a second chance at life but also a powerful reminder of the potential dangers of vaping. As they anticipate a full recovery, Hurlburt expressed her gratitude, saying, “He’s going to get his life back. We’re going to get our Jackson back.”
To read the original article, click here.
This article is brought to you by F5 Magazine.