Wally Brandt celebrates life

Wally Brandt rides his bike on Dickinson city streets and goes for power walks every day. He appreciates his renewed ability to exercise.

Wally recently returned home from the University of Minneapolis where he underwent a lung transplant on Sept. 6, 2006.

"I was on the transplant list for three years. I didn't think I'd ever live long enough to get a lung," he said.

He came home on March 15, with short visits for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He continues to need home care, which is provided by his friend and caregiver, RayeAnn Brandt.

Brandt, 57, is a native of Hebron. He farmed with his brothers near Hebron and later worked for Dickinson Parks and Recreation. He stopped working when he became ill with emphysema and chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease.

The doctors suggested exposure to pesticides and anhydrous ammonia contributed to the disease.

"Smoking for 40 years didn't help it," said RayeAnn.

His lungs were functioning at less than one-third of capacity. One lung collapsed 12 years ago.

Wally described living with the lung diseases as "hell." He walked around with the assistance of oxygen. Toward the end, he was housebound.

"I couldn't walk from the hospital parking lot into the lobby without gasping for air," he said.

The days leading up to the transplant started with his 6-month checkup in Minneapolis. As they were walking down the clinic steps to go home, he told Rayeann, "I quit."

He could no longer endure the trip from Dickinson to Minneapolis.

"Five seconds after he said that, my cell phone ran. We were standing outside the transplant clinic. They had a lung," said RayeAnn.

Wally was admitted to the hospital and prepared for transplant of a single lung. The procedure took from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. At the same time, surgeons were transplanting a double set of lungs and another single lung.

When RayeAnn returned from the motel at 10 a.m., Wally was sitting up in bed.

"I could breathe. It was like a dream come true," he said.

"A second wind. That's what he said," said RayeAnn.

"Now I walk every day at Wal-Mart. I ride my bike when it's nice," he said.

Wally takes numerous anti-rejection medications and must exercise his lung with coughs and breathing devices.

"His color is so different. He was grey before," said RayeAnn.

Wally spent extra time in Minneapolis because he contracted pneumonia during Thanksgiving. A normal transplant stay is three months, said RayeAnn.

The doctors advised Wally to set realistic goals toward his recovery.

One of his goals is to break a registered quarter horse, which he received as a gift from a friend in Minneapolis.

"She's just a pretty little colt and gentle," said Wally. "We're going to Minneapolis in two weeks to get it. I never expected to go horseback riding again."

Wally must return for checkups every two months during the first year and every three months the second year. His next checkup is May 13.

Wally expressed his appreciation to everyone who supported the medical benefits held at Dickinson and South Heart. The money helped cover expenses while living in Minneapolis.

"If you haven't been there, you can't comprehend," said RayeAnn.

Wally and RayeAnn look forward to the future.

"It's a new life, a new beginning," she said.