Australia’s first female triple transplant patient celebrates 20 years since lifesaving surgery

In June 2005 at just 24 years of age, Lucinda Simpson received the life-changing call she’d been anxiously waiting for—a suitable organ donor had been found who would save her life.

Within hours she was in the operating theatre at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) receiving a heart, liver and lung transplant, while her healthy heart was transplanted to another patient in what is known as a ‘domino transplant’.

Lucinda had lived her entire life with cystic fibrosis, and prior to her transplant, her lungs had deteriorated to the point where she struggled to breathe and was unable to perform simple household tasks. Her liver had also been scarred from the disease and a heart, lung and liver transplant quickly became her only option.

Surgically, it is less complex to transplant the heart, lungs and liver as a block, which meant that Lucinda had the rare opportunity to become a living heart donor.

Now, 20 years on, Lucinda is not just surviving but thriving in her full and happy life alongside her husband Damon and seven-year-old son Angus.

“Since my transplant, I’ve had the opportunity to marry the love of my life, give birth to and raise our beautiful boy, purchase our dream home and return to work,” Lucinda said.

“I’m eternally grateful to my donor and their family. I think about them every day.

“I also think about the person who received my heart a lot. I hope they’re doing well.”

The birth of Angus was an incredible feat in itself, with Lucinda believed to be the only heart, liver and lung transplant patient in the world to carry and give birth to a baby.

“There was a lot of preparation involved before I became pregnant, such as changing my medications to ensure they were pregnancy-safe, rigorous testing of my health and working extensively with the obstetric team at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH).

“Angus was born prematurely by emergency caesarean at 28 weeks after I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. He weighed just 832g – about the size of a soft drink can.

“Hearing his first cry was an absolute relief, and while we had a long and difficult road ahead in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“Angus is now a happy and active seven-year-old boy now who loves running, jumping, climbing and action heroes. He’s the light of our lives.”

TPCH Thoracic Transplant Unit Clinic Director Dr Peter Hopkins has been a familiar and trusted face throughout Lucinda’s transplant journey, alongside many other staff members who have worked in the transplant team for more than 20 years.

“When a transplant patient comes to TPCH, they’re a patient for life. It’s an honour to care for these people and to help them thrive like Lucinda has,” Dr Hopkins said.

“Lucinda is a model patient in every sense of the word, and a large part of her highly successful transplant outcome is due to her diligence and commitment to looking after herself. She eats well, exercises and remembers to take her medication.

“We look forward to seeing Lucinda continue to enjoy the beautiful life she has built for herself.”