Valley Station man given second chance after double-lung transplant in Louisville, needs donations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Valley Station man has been given a second chance at life thanks to a double-lung transplant.

Edward and Michele Cardwell were married in 2018.

"What is a price of a life?" Michele said. "For me, there is no cost. It is priceless. I have him today."

Edward was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2015 by doctors.

"I've been fighting this for many, many years," Edward said.

Louisville man Edward Cardwell recovers after double-lung transplant

But it wasn't until last year that the 49-year-old man's lungs deteriorated.

"It got so bad, Edward was sitting here on the couch and he couldn't walk over there to the island," Cardwell said.

"Getting up to go to work, and I just couldn't breathe," Edward said. "My oxygen was down to like 40."

Doctors told Edward he needed a double-lung transplant. He was placed on the wait-list.

"I could've been dead by now," Edward said.

Edward remained on that wait list for 12 days.

"I will never forget, I was at home and got the phone call that they got the donor for him," Michele said.

Doctors removed and replaced his lungs on Oct. 31, 2023. Edward said he can't thank his donor and their family enough.

"Now I look back and I want to say 'if you can donate life, please do,'" Edward said.

However, Edward's health has prevented him from working for more than six moths. And now, six hospitalizations, one major surgery and many homecare bills later, they're drowning in debt.

Michele said they've already sold his truck to help with other costs.

"We are five months behind on our mortgage," Michele said. "What are we going to do? Go live in the car?"

Despite the crushing weight of tens of thousands of dollars, they have received unwavering support from their church family. Some of their neighbors have also helped them keep up with the house.

"It's amazing to see how good people are and people do suit up and show up," Michele said.

Together, they pray for his health. He has had to return to the hospital once post surgery, because he contracted RSV and pneumonia, but as of now, he is doing better. Edward wants to eventually go back to work.

"I am enjoying life now, to where I couldn't last year," Edward said. "I was stuck in the house, dragging an oxygen cord all around the house."

Michele said she plans on starting a non-profit in his name to help others through similar situations.

If you want to donate to Edward's Help Hope Live Campaign, click here.

According to Donate Life Kentucky, more than 1,000 Kentuckians are awaiting life-saving organs. For more information about Donate Life Kentucky, click here.