Living on the edge of impossibility

When Irina got very sick and had to be admitted to the hospital, she was gasping for breath. At that time, she needed the supplemental oxygen 24/7. Treatment helped, and her condition gradually improved, so she hoped she would not need oxygen long-term. However, her lungs did not fully recover. "Cystic fibrosis, respiratory insufficiency stage II, multiple bronchoectases, chronic cor pulmonale, and pulmonary hypertension" the long list of diagnoses in her medical chart shows that her body has lived on the edge of impossibility for a long time and has exhausted its reserves. At this time, Irina needs to use the oxygen concentrator at night--it relieves severe hypoxia and lets her lungs rest. 

Thanks to the overnight oxygen, in the morning, Irina has the energy to play with her younger sister, to go out with her friends, to attend school - in other words, to live. Irina is 15 and she is already attending college. She keeps up with fashion news and tries her best to look attractive. When you live with a serious medical diagnosis since infancy, that can be a difficult task. Irina likes to hang out with her friends, but when she stays home because of bad weather or feeling unwell, she also keeps busy - she watches movies, listens to music, or works on seed bead embroidery. She is the oldest child in her family and enjoys spending time with her younger sister, helping her with homework, and giving her advice.

Lively and even-tempered, Irina isn't going to resign herself to the illness taking over her life. The oxygen concentrator will help Irina keep her illness under control and to continue carrying out her plans.

Name: Vydryk Iryna, 22.06.2004

City: Zubylne village, Volyn region

Diagnosis: cystic fibrosis with pancreatic insufficiency