“We find ourselves with a renewed opportunity, and we are seizing every moment,” Catherine Canning states.
In 2008, John received a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious lung condition. He reported needing to depend on oxygen around the clock and experienced breathlessness even during brief walks.
A 66-year-old man, who previously enjoyed weekly ballroom dancing sessions with Catherine, was forced to halt his participation as his health declined during the Covid pandemic.
In April 2023, John underwent a double lung transplant, a significant medical milestone that has allowed the couple from Leicestershire to dance together once more. They are now looking forward to a Mediterranean cruise later this year.
Catherine, 60, reflected on the emotional significance of her first dance with John following his transplant, stating, “It was the best feeling, but it was also the thought that somebody else had given John that chance as well.”A broad smile spread across my face. I found myself in tears.
“We were surrounded by an incredible group of friends who have provided immense support during this time, alongside our family, who have also been wonderful. This group of friends feels like the family we chose for ourselves.”The atmosphere was charged with emotion as tears mingled with laughter and smiles, leaving no one untouched by the moment. Despite its simplicity, I found myself making mistakes in the dance.”It was truly astonishing, as I never imagined I would find myself dancing with him once more.”
John, a resident of Barrow-upon-Soar, underwent lung volume reduction surgery in 2020. Unfortunately, the procedure was unsuccessful, leading to a recommendation for a transplant.
In February 2023, he received the sobering news that finding a donor could take as long as a year after being placed on the transplant list.
Just over four weeks later, he received a call informing him that doctors had located suitable lungs for transplantation.
In a surprising turn of events, it was revealed that one of the lungs harboured an infection deemed irretrievable. However, just a week later, another pair was discovered.
The family went to the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, where John underwent the procedure.
Catherine recounted, “After saying goodbye to him in the lift at the hospital before his operation, I reached the ground floor with my son and simply broke down in tears.”Accompanying me was my son, who displayed remarkable strength. As John has often pointed out, the challenges I faced during the operation may have been more significant for me than for him.
Following his surgery, John reported that he noticed an improvement after waking after a 10-hour procedure.
He stated, “I am not confined to using oxygen tanks or restricted to walking for just a few minutes without becoming breathless.”
The previous year, he completed 3.1 miles (5km) at Nottingham’s Harvey Hadden Stadium during the British Transplant Games, an experience he described as “emotional.”
On January 20, known as Blue Monday and often referred to as the most depressing day of the year, a couple reached out to BBC Radio Leicester with a voice note in response to a call for listeners to share their reasons for cheerfulness.
A note revealed plans for a 40th wedding anniversary celebration this year, with a Mediterranean cruise scheduled shortly after John’s recent hospital discharge.
Catherine expressed that the BBC’s contact took her by surprise, describing it as having come “completely out of the blue” as they sought to delve deeper into her story.
The duo has encouraged individuals to engage in conversations with their family members regarding their preferences for organ donation following their passing.
According to reports, “Each year, hundreds of opportunities for transplants are missed because families aren’t sure what to do.”
“In just two minutes, you can choose to become an organ donor, potentially saving the lives of up to nine individuals.”
