Every March around her birthday, Kiwi nurse Amy Ng-Thomson walks to the peak of Auckland's One Tree Hill, looks out across the city and reflects on how far she has come. Five years ago, she was wheelchair-bound and living on oxygen 24/7, before she received the gift of a life-saving lung transplant.
"I walk it each year because it's a rite of passage, as well as a yearly tribute to my donor and their family, who selflessly agreed to donate their loved one's organs," she says. "The day I got called in to receive my new lungs, my sister looked at me and thought, 'Amy doesn't look like she's going to last much longer. She told me this after my transplant."
Today, the 41-year-old works in the operating theatre as a clinical coach, and as a senior nurse in the quality and risk department at Middlemore Hospital, where she's passionate about providing the best healthcare. She's able to go on dates with her husband Owen, 42, spend time with family and friends, and travel. Most importantly, Amy's finally able to breathe.
"I was 24, married and in my third year of nursing when I couldn't figure out why my hands had got really puffy," remembers Amy. "I needed my wedding rings resized. My shoulder and knee joints were also really painful."
She was diagnosed with the rare and chronic autoimmune disease scleroderma, which meant her immune system was causing her body to mistakenly attack itself. Amy hadn't ever heard of the condition and she jumped on Google.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 26, 2023-Ausgabe von Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 26, 2023-Ausgabe von Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
JESS' TEARS OVER JUSTIN'S SHOCK ARREST!
Jessica Biel is reeling after her husband Justin Timberlake's shock arrest in the Hamptons during a night off from his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
NICHOLAS GALITZINE 'I WAS DRIPPING IN JEWELS!
The actor discusses working with Julianne Moore on Mary & George, from Wednesday on TVNZ+
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
KIWI BROADWAY DARLING MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA
Theatre queen Scarlett reveals her behind-the-scenes struggle
EMMA'S PREGNANCY NIGHTMARE 'I SPENT ALL DAY VOMITING!'
The Matakana mum's morning sickness was so extreme, she was hospitalised 20 times
CHIEFS STAR EMONI'S HEALING JOURNEY
How family helped the rising rugby star bounce back from his shattered Rugby World Cup dreams
AMANDA KNOX'S NEW LIFE DOTING MUM & CRIME PODCASTER
From Italian prison to US podcast host, Amanda has reinvented herself in a big way
SHORTY STARS EMMETT & HOLLY'S HIDDEN HEARTBREAK
The acting duo reveal why a tragic loss has left them scared of starting a family
PIRIPI & STEPH WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!
The groom's TV confession left his bride reeling from the start
POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE
A bombshell book has opened up painful wounds for the family