Elaine Desnousse, 32 years of age from Seychelles, was born with a medical condition called Bronchiectasis, diagnosed when she was 14. Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition where the lungs’ airways become widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection. Living with Bronchiectasis can be stressful and frustrating; whilst most people with the condition have a normal life expectancy, for people with very severe symptoms, however, Bronchiectasis can be fatal if the lungs stop working properly. This is Elaine’s story.
Life with Bronchiectasis
I was formally diagnosed with the condition when I was a teenager. It was not easy. Growing up, I missed out on school a lot and could not always participate in outdoorsy physical activities. I could not always socialise with my friends or groups to avoid smokers and any risk of infections. But I must say that through it all, I’ve had the full support of my family, for which I am eternally grateful and feel truly blessed to have them.
I have, over the years, followed various treatments, but the progressiveness and criticality of my condition have brought me towards the end of the thread. Unfortunately, in 2018 I was diagnosed with respiratory failure, which simply means my lungs cannot adequately exchange the gases, thereby causing my oxygen levels to be lower and carbon dioxide to be higher than that of a normal person. Due to this, I have been on oxygen therapy 24/7 and using ventilatory support since, thus making my mobility and quality of life much impaired, thereby needing a double lung transplant.
In need of new lungs
My parents and I have been planning to relocate to India for possibly up to 1 year to undergo all the required procedures for a transplant. However, as my medical insurance is not funding the entire procedure, and the government is not willing to assist me, I am humbly requesting a generous donation from you for any amount that would help us cover some of the costs involved. I recognise that my case is a first-ever for Seychelles (I stand to be corrected), and the procedure costs a lot of money, so I have decided to create a page hoping that people could help me raise funds for my transplant.
Grateful for any help
I do understand that everyone has their own financial struggles, so any amount, small or big, that someone wishes to donate is good enough. If you have the urge to feel pity, I humbly ask for your prayers instead, and for that, I will be ever so grateful. For those who cannot donate, please share my page on your social media platforms. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I wish you nothing but good health.
You can visit Elaine’s Facebook page for more details.
