Hey there, everybody. Wow!!! I know it's been a long time since my last update...please forgive me. But, I've finally been able to do so many more things than just simply sit around and type on a computer like I had been doing for the last few years. I am doing GREAT and I am able to enjoy life once again.
I received my transplant at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, VA (just outside Washington, DC) on March 5, 2011 (a little less than 5 months ago). The operation was a success up until the point where I developed an infection in my lungs about 2 weeks post transplant and the docs had to go back in to clean that all up. They did and I slowly got better. I was in the hospital about 7 weeks total. We definitely made some very good friends while I was there. The docs, the nurses, everybody in there was absolutly wonderful. While I was in the hospital, I met a guy by the name of George Ortega, who received the heart from the same donor from whom I received the lungs. George and I have continued to keep in touch over the months and he too is doing well...thank God!!
This past weekend I was blessed by being able to meet the donor's family. My angel was a young 19 year old man who passed away way to soon in his life. His family misses him greatly and love him very, very much. They are also very proud of him, Jami, for being an organ donor and saving the lives of 4 people. If you go onto facebook and search RIP Jami Interiano, you can get a little glimpse into his life. He definitely loved life, his family and his friends. I am proud, as is George and the other recipients to have Jami living on within our bodies. Thank you so much to the Interiano family and to Jami for making the decision years ago to become an organ donor. You saved my life and I will be forever grateful.
Well, like I said, I am doing well. Still a little pain in the sternum area where they wired me back together, but other than that I am breathing like nothing was ever wrong with me. I know as soon as I woke up from my surgery that I was going to be fine, and I am. I love it!!!!!! 
I want you all to know that I am indebted to you forever for your prayers and your support during a very difficult time in my life. I will never forget all of the kind words of inspiration, the cards that I received over the years, the new friends that I have now...none of it. I thank you so much for all of it. I feel undeserving of all the goodness that has come my way. Your love and inspiration made it all worth fighting for and I am proud to have gotten to know many of you. I love you all very much, as does my family. We literally could not have done this without you and God. I am now paying forward all of the good things that I received just like I had promised myself I would do when I was sick. It's a blast!!
I'll try to keep this blog a little bit more up-to-date in the future. I am on facebook a lot. I know there are a lot of Chuck Campbells out there, but if you search New Lungs for Chuck on facebook, you can probably find me. I'd love to talk to any of you any time!!
Much love, Semper Fi, and Thank you all so very much,
Chuck