Twenty years ago, a groundbreaking medical procedure saw Lucinda Winnem become the first Australian woman to undergo a triple heart-lung-liver transplant. The complex surgery, performed at Brisbane’s Prince Charles Hospital in 2005, not only saved her life but also created a unique medical first: her own healthy heart was transplanted into another patient. This extraordinary event positions Winnem as one of the few living heart donors globally, a concept that continues to captivate.
Born with cystic fibrosis, a severe genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, Winnem’s early life was marked by grim medical prognoses. Doctors initially warned her parents she might not survive past her fifth birthday, a prediction she dramatically defied. The triple transplant was essential for her lungs and liver, but due to surgical expediency, her heart was also replaced, albeit with a strong, unaffected organ that would then embark on a new life within another recipient.
This remarkable act of giving, a ‘domino transplant,’ underscores the profound interconnectedness made possible by modern medicine. Winnem expresses deep gratitude for the gift of life she received and finds immense fulfillment in knowing she, in turn, provided a similar chance to someone else while still alive. This reciprocal exchange of life-giving organs, especially involving a living donor, remains a rare and inspiring facet of transplant medicine.
Sixteen weeks after her life-altering surgery, Winnem married Damon Simpson, her steadfast partner who remained by her side through her extensive health challenges. Their meeting in 2003, a chance encounter at a shopping centre, led to a deep connection. Winnem’s candid disclosure of her impending transplant early in their relationship solidified their bond, with Simpson’s unwavering support proving his commitment.
The wedding ceremony itself was a testament to the medical team’s dedication. Three of the doctors involved in Winnem’s 12-hour transplant operation and recovery were present, including surgeon John Dunning and transplant physicians Peter Hopkins and Keith McNeil. Their presence transformed the celebration of marriage into a profound celebration of life and survival.
Professor Keith McNeil, now a commissioner for excellence and innovation in Adelaide, still cherishes a photograph of the medical team with the newlyweds. He reflects on the immense courage of patients and the remarkable possibilities opened by transplant surgery, citing examples of patients achieving extraordinary feats post-transplant. For Winnem, achieving personal milestones like marriage exemplifies the fulfillment of her dreams.
Cardiothoracic surgeon John Dunning recalls Winnem as an “outstanding individual” and an “outstanding success story.” He remembers the lengthy operation, which extended through the night, and highlights the collaborative effort of the surgical and medical teams. Despite the demanding nature of such procedures, Dunning was particularly struck by Winnem’s unwavering grace and cheerfulness before and after her transplant.
Winnem’s positive outlook, which she credits in part to her mother’s unwavering support, has been a hallmark of her journey. Even with a significant J-shaped scar as a lasting memento, she maintains a sense of humour. Her mother, Kaylene Winnem, was a constant source of strength, instilling in her a belief that anything was possible with determination.
Two decades on, Winnem is thriving. She and her husband Damon live in a picturesque home in the Gold Coast hinterland and are raising their seven-year-old son, Angus. Medical professionals are unaware of other cases worldwide where a woman who has undergone a heart-lung-liver transplant has successfully given birth, making her motherhood a significant medical achievement.
Winnem’s journey defied numerous medical predictions. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an infant due to her salty skin, she navigated a path fraught with uncertainty. The condition, formally identified in 1938, carried a high mortality rate, but Winnem consistently surpassed expectations, moving from predictions of not reaching her fifth birthday to needing a transplant by her mid-twenties.
Her pregnancy, though ultimately requiring an emergency caesarean due to pre-eclampsia and placental insufficiency at 27 weeks, was a testament to her resilience and meticulous care. Born 12 weeks premature, weighing just 832 grams, their son Angus is a vibrant child, embodying the fighting spirit that has defined his mother’s life.
Professor Peter Hopkins, one of Winnem’s transplant physicians, highlights her exemplary adherence to her medication regimen, taking around 150 tablets weekly. Her dedication to a healthy lifestyle and consistent medical follow-up have been crucial to her long-term success. Queensland Lung Transplant Service celebrates significant outcomes, with 77% five-year survival rates for lung transplants, exceeding international averages.
Winnem’s story is a powerful narrative of medical advancement, personal fortitude, and the enduring capacity for life and love. Her ability to not only survive but to flourish, build a family, and experience profound joy, stands as a beacon of hope and a remarkable chapter in Australian medical history.
