From 14% to Full Breath: Remembering Tanya Bothma's Double Lung Transplant Journey
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What does it feel like to breathe freely for the first time at 40 years old?
Tanya Bothma lived most of her life fighting for every breath.
After years of chronic lung disease, she underwent a pioneering double lung transplant that changed everything; only to later face the reality of chronic rejection.
This episode explores lung transplant survival, organ donation, chronic illness, and the emotional complexity of living with borrowed life. A story of resilience, medical reality, and extraordinary courage.
This episode was originally recorded in 2024 while Tanya was on the waiting list for her second double lung transplant. In December 2025, Tanya received that transplant.
Sadly, Tanya passed away shortly after. Her story lives on as a testament to courage, love, and the life-changing power of organ donation.
This episode was first published in November 2024.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/spear-reit-a-new-breath
https://odf.org.za/
https://save7.org/
https://podcasthon.org/
Tanya Bothma lived most of her life fighting for every breath.
After years of chronic lung disease, she underwent a pioneering double lung transplant that changed everything; only to later face the reality of chronic rejection.
This episode explores lung transplant survival, organ donation, chronic illness, and the emotional complexity of living with borrowed life. A story of resilience, medical reality, and extraordinary courage.
This episode was originally recorded in 2024 while Tanya was on the waiting list for her second double lung transplant. In December 2025, Tanya received that transplant.
Sadly, Tanya passed away shortly after. Her story lives on as a testament to courage, love, and the life-changing power of organ donation.
This episode was first published in November 2024.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/spear-reit-a-new-breath
https://odf.org.za/
https://save7.org/
https://podcasthon.org/
Chapters
- 00:00 Intro
- 01:25 Growing up unable to breathe
- 03:42 Childhood and getting on with it
- 05:31 Marriage and a miracle pregnancy
- 06:05 14% lung capacity
- 07:50 Making history
- 09:11 Six years of full breaths - and chronic rejection
- 11:00 The waiting list
- 13:10 Honoring organ donation
- 15:28 Why Tanya advocates for organ donor awareness
- 17:38 Gratitude and legacy
