From Tragedy to Triumph: A Family’s Journey Through ECMO and Transplant
For over 12 years, Terez Depasquale and her husband have been the epitome of a perfect family. Married at 18, they wasted no time in starting their family, and within a few years, they were raising four beautiful children. They had risen from humble beginnings to build a life that was truly a testament to their hard work and dedication. However, as the year 2021 drew to a close, the happiness of their household was abruptly disrupted. Terez's third son brought the COVID-19 virus home from preschool. Thankfully, all four children remained asymptomatic, but Terez and her husband weren't as fortunate.
Terez's husband fell seriously ill. One day, she found him unresponsive on the couch. What ensued was a panicked 911 call and a rush to the hospital. Despite the medics' best efforts, he wasn't responding, and the hospital lacked an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine. With an unyielding spirit and determination, Terez went to the end of the earth to get her husband on ECMO. She enlisted the help of many people, contacted numerous physicians and hospitals, and eventually, by what seemed like divine intervention, a hospital just 20 minutes away accepted him for ECMO treatment.
The battle had just begun, however. Terez had to learn quickly about the medical world. She attended rounds, made friends with hospital staff, and learned the ins and outs of the ICU. She became her husband's fiercest advocate while he spent six months in a medically induced coma. Despite numerous complications, including multiple organ failures and a bronchopleural fistula (a hole in the lung), Terez didn't give up. When the hospital suggested moving her husband to comfort care, she refused to accept it. With renewed resolve, she reached out to NYU's transplant team, pleading for help.
In a moment that still gives Terez chills, NYU emailed her back. They assured her they specialized in transplants for COVID-19 patients and would help. That moment marked a turning point in Terez's fight.
Although she initially hoped that her husband's lungs could be salvaged, she had to face the reality that a double lung transplant was necessary. This realization was heartbreaking, but it also sparked a new perspective for Terez. She began to see their situation not as a disaster, but as an opportunity for growth. The transplant journey was hard and demanding, but it also profoundly changed Terez and her family. They learned to appreciate life in a way they hadn't before, and Terez found a new purpose in advocating for organ donation.
Speaking to young people considering organ donation, Terez emphasized that it is a gift like no other. She explained that the fear of doctors not doing everything they can to save a potential organ donor's life is a misconception. Terez urges them to become donors, reminding them that the unimaginable can happen at any time and that the gift of life can make a world of difference.
Since her husband's successful double lung transplant, Terez's life has changed dramatically. From a stay-at-home mom, she has turned into a fierce advocate for organ donation, using their story to inspire and educate others. Her resilience and strength, fueled by love for her husband and family, have turned a challenging chapter in their lives into a source of hope and inspiration for many.