Atwater Teen Has Double Lung and Heart Transplant

Atwater teen Shea McNeely describes her childhood as ‘dark.’

"They said that i was lashing out, that i was going through a phase," McNeely said. 

Shea knew something was wrong when she couldn’t keep up with kids in her class so her mom took her to doctor after doctor, but no one knew what was wrong.

"She got darker and darker, and I saw my child just going away," Rhonda McNeely said.

It started out as shortness of breath, but eventually turned into fainting. When that happened, Shea’s mom knew something was wrong.

"she passed out right in front of me and when i saw her, i knew she was in serious trouble," Rhonda McNeely said.

Seven years of uncertainty all came to a conclusion on November 14, 2013.

"I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension," McNeely said. 

A rare disease in which arteries in the lungs become narrowed. Shea was in and out of the hospital for the next year. But doctors found the medication was toxic to her, and her condition worsened. She found out she needed new lungs and ultimately, a new heart.

"I just felt numb, but finally i cracked and i couldnt stop crying for i dont know how long," McNeely said. 

But the new organs couldn’t come soon enough. This past December, Shea went into heart failure, but three days later, her prayers were answered.

"I got an offer, and it was a perfect match," McNeely said. 

Two lungs and a heart later, Shea took her very first breath on her 17th birthday.

"It was the most wonderful birthday present she could’ve ever had," Shea McNeely said. 

Shea is now back home, making weekly trips to the hospital. She will never be off medication and may one day need new lungs. But all of this comes with a cost, which is why Shea’s third grade teacher, Teresa Jacobsen is hosting a fundraiser.

"If you have one less thing to worry about, that’s why I took on this role of fundraising, so Rhonda and concentrate on taking care of Shea," Jacobsen said. 

 

A fundraiser is being held Saturday for Shea at the Merced County Fairgrounds. It starts at 5:30p.m. and will include dinner and an auction.

Individual tickets for the event are $ 40, and table for eight is $ 300. 

Donations can also be made online at www.COTAforSheaM.com.

For more information on the fundraiser, contact Jacobsen at (209) 658-9008.