Pearl is one tough Cooley and she has a message for you

On June 4, 2017 local resident Pearl Cooley underwent her second double lung transplant in two years.

Pearl, who currently lives at home with her parents in Guelph, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at only two-months old.

The 21-year-old has faced many health challenges due to her Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis, but remains positive and upbeat despite her difficulties.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that leads to problems with lung function due to a variety of factors, including mucus build-up in the lungs. Most CF patients will require a double lung transplant due to the loss of function of their lungs.

For Pearl, who knew that a transplant was likely in her future, a sudden collapse of her lungs at the age of 18 meant that she was in immediate need of a transplant.

Two years after her initial lung transplant Pearl required another transplant when her body began to reject her new lungs. Within one day she experienced a severe decrease in lung function. She was hospitalized for two months while waiting to be matched with a donor.

“I was discharged in July, one month after my double lung transplant,” she shared.

Within 24 hours of the surgery Pearl was sitting up in order to get her new pair of lungs working.

She stayed in an apartment in Toronto once discharged so that she could attend her frequent appointments without travelling far distances, and only returned to Guelph on Sept. 1.

Earlier this week Pearl returned to work part-time, less than three months post-operation. Pearl works as a personal trainer, helping her clients with nutrition, fitness and building strength. Her business, PAC Fitness, was launched in 2016, and is operated out of the StayFit Health Centre at the Victoria & Grange Plaza.

Pearl is also studying Pre-Health Science at Conestoga College and hopes to continue her education at either McMaster University or the University in Guelph.

Pearl said that her cystic fibrosis diagnosis has impacted her life for the better.

“My experience in the medical system as given me a new appreciation for the health field,” she shared. She added that her decision to pursue a career in health sciences was impacted by her positive experiences with the Canadian health system.

Pearl has also met many friends and built a strong community with others who have been impacted by cystic fibrosis and organ donation. Her best friend also has CF and underwent a double lung transplant ten years ago.

Pearl said that social media has been invaluable to forming support and friendships, especially because people with CF shouldn’t gather together too often due to risk of infection and their lowered immune systems.

Pearl also shared that her parents, older sister and brother-in-law have been a major support to her, and that her two-year-old nephew is a huge source of joy in her life.

Four days prior to her first double-lung transplant Pearl’s sister announced her pregnancy to the family, and Pearl, at only 18, was desperate to survive her surgery to meet her sister’s child.

Pearl also wants to be an advocate for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness and Organ Donation Awareness.

“Make sure your family members know if you want to be an organ donor. At the end of the day, it’s up to your family and depends on what they sign off on in the hospital,” Pearl shared. She added that simply filling out a donor card or putting a note on your license does not guarantee that you will become an organ donor.

Ms. Cooley will be speaking at the University of Guelph’s Shinerama event on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Shinerama is a nationwide fundraising event that raises money and awareness for cystic fibrosis. Pearl will be talking about organ donation at Branion Plaza on campus at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 6.

Find out more about Pearl’s story by liking her Facebook Page One Tough Cooley, or reading her blog. You can also find out more about Pearl’s business venture by visiting PAC Fitness.

To read more about cystic fibrosis in Canada click here.