His Safe Haven Boone Pulmonary Rehab helps a singer before and after his double lung transplant.
H
owie Ambrus loves to sing. His big, belting voice often took center stage as he sang the National Anthem at Mizzou sporting events. But Howie’s passion for singing was threatened when he was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes inflammation and organ failure. It can occur in any part of the body. In Howie’s case, his lungs were affected. He found himself short of breath and his health quickly deteriorating. “Both my lungs were failing . . . so I needed a double lung transplant,” he says. To qualify for a transplant, Howie had to get into the best shape he could. Weight loss was a critical part of this plan, but Howie found it to be a scary thought, since exercise was difficult because of his failing lungs. “That’s when I first started going to Boone Pulmonary Rehab. I was able to work out while they watched me and made sure I was okay. I probably wouldn’t have had the confidence to work out otherwise,” says Howie. Howie’s team of nurses and exercise physiologists monitored him carefully and helped him get physically stronger. “In order to get on the transplant list, Howie had to be able to meet certain criteria and demonstrate that he had the required degree of physical capability and
20
BOONE HEALTH
Spring 2021
Howie Ambrus, double lung transplant patient.
