Woman Has Double Lung Transplant
WAUWATOSA - Monday morning, Nicki Cyrak got the call she's been waiting for. Two lungs were available for her double transplant. The doctors at Froedtert Hospital told her to check in as soon as possible.
Cyrak suffers from cystic fibrosis. For her whole life, the disease made it difficult to breathe.
As she was surrounded by friends and family, Nicki knew that was about to change.
She spoke with TODAYS TMJ4HD right before her surgery. "I'm scared, excited, nervous, nauseous, a bit of everything," she said.
Originally Nicki's insurance company, Aetna, told her she would have to have the surgery at Loyola Hospital in Chicago. They considered Froedtert "out of network" and said the hospital didn't do enough lung transplants.
Nicki was furious. She's been treated at Children's Hospital and neighboring Froedtert since she was a child. The doctors and nurses have become like family.
She turned to the I-Team with her story.
Finally, Aetna allowed Nicki to use Froedtert for the transplant. An anonymous donor saw the story and offered to pay for Nicki's out of pocket costs.
Nicki's mother, Betty says, "That was a huge victory."
Parents Betty and Jim Cyrak were by Nicki's side before and after the transplant. They delivered this good news."The surgery went well. It went extremely well," Betty reported.
Nicki's dad says she woke up briefly from the anesthesia and showed everyone, she is still a fighter. "She gave the nurse a thumbs up," he said.
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