12/7/2011 Listening Lounge

FOUR FAILING LUNGS by Catie Talarski

Last year there were 1,770 lung transplants performed in the United States -- the most ever in a single year.
For a person with Cystic Fibrosis, the transplant may extend life by years. It could however lead to continued suffering and rejection of the new organ.
When most folks are just hitting their stride in their late 20s, Beth and Brian are instead medicating, massaging and coaxing their lungs into lasting as long as possible. Both have end-stage Cystic Fibrosis, and are struggling with decisions about getting a transplant.
Producer Catie Talarski documented Beth and Brian for a year to understand what its like to live with this chronic disease.