Double lung recipient Paul Leintz, second from right, stands with donor Jesse Johnson’s father Bob Johnson, from left, son Jackson Nesmoe, 11, and mother Audre Johnson during a 10-year anniversary party of Leintz’s transplant on June 19 at his home in Fargo. Special to The Forum
FARGO – “Don’t get too attached,” the doctor advised Paul Leintz’ parents when they adopted the ailing newborn.
Leota and Hank Leintz of Fargo knew their son had cystic fibrosis, and his condition became considerably worse as he grew older.
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic disease that clogs the lungs and digestive system with thick, sticky mucus, causing shortness of breath, frequent infections and persistent coughs.
After a weekend in Minneapolis when watching a pay-per-view wrestling match left him frequently winded, Leintz was put on a double lung transplant list in 1999 when he was 28 years old.
From that day on, his life became a waiting game.
“They kept saying 18 months, 18 months, just wait 18 months,” said Leintz, now 41. “It was frustrating to say the least, but I kept working, trying to live my life the best I could.”
His symptoms became so severe that yawning became too difficult. He had a lung capacity of 17 percent.
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