Williamsburg man celebrates birthday a month after VCU lung transplant

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Williamsburg man celebrated his 43rd birthday after a successful lung transplant at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), which occurred in mid-May.

A month after a surgery that took place on Sunday, May 11, Ty McLain became the inaugural patient of  VCU Health Hume-Lee Transplant Center’s new lung transplant program.

“Last year, I couldn’t blow my birthday candles out," he said. "This year I can."

On Friday, June 6, Tami McLain, Ty's wife, shared her relief over her husband's condition a month after surgery.

"I remember that first appointment we had in late October, and Ty said, 'How long am I going to be out of work for this?' and he said, 'About four months,' and Ty said, 'How about we shoot for three?'" Tami said. "Here we are, not even a month away, and we're already home."

This news comes after VCU announced the start of the lung transplant program late last year, under medical director Vipul Patel, M.D., and surgical director Z.A. Hashmi, M.D.

Hume-Lee became the third in Virginia to offer a lung transplant, according to the university.

"He came off the machines to breathe within 12 hours, and he started walking within 24 hours after transplant surgery," Patel said. "Amazingly, he was walking at a faster pace than he used to. That was amazing to see."

McLain was born prematurely, and his lungs were not fully developed. He thought it was asthma initially, but according to VCU, it was actually bronchial pulmonary dysplasia. This transplant allowed McLain to breathe normally.

“I was determined to do this because the life I had before wasn’t a life. I didn’t have a life,” McLain said. 

43-year-old Ty McLain celebrated his birthday at home after a lung transplant at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) that occurred on May 11. (Photo: VCU)

43-year-old Ty McLain celebrated his birthday at home after a lung transplant at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) that occurred on May 11. (Photo: VCU)

43-year-old Ty McLain celebrated his birthday at home after a lung transplant at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) that occurred on May 11. (Photo: VCU)

43-year-old Ty McLain celebrated his birthday at home after a lung transplant at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) that occurred on May 11. (Photo: VCU)

43-year-old Ty McLain celebrated his birthday at home after a lung transplant at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) that occurred on May 11. (Photo: VCU)

43-year-old Ty McLain celebrated his birthday at home after a lung transplant at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) that occurred on May 11. (Photo: VCU)

VCU said that when an organ is available for transplantation, patients may have to travel far distances and be away from home for a long time. They emphasized that having a center close to home "reduces the burden for both patients and their caretakers."

"It's important to have a transplant program within the region of the patients, especially in the eastern part of this region," Patel added. "Patients need to stay within 2 hours of the transplant program, which Richmond VCU Health can provide."

“VCU Health is answering the call to help our neighbors,” said Marlon Levy, M.D., MBA, senior vice president for VCU Health Sciences and chief executive officer of VCU Health System. “The need for lung transplantation is high in Virginia and in the region. This program will provide patients with an option close to home.”

Nationally, more than 950 people are waiting for a lung transplant. VCU reports that numbers change daily; there are roughly 30 Virginians waiting for a lung or a dual lung and heart transplant. 

“Bringing lung transplantation to VCU Health isn't just about adding a new procedure — it's about rewriting what's possible for our patients,” Patel said. “This first transplantation marks the beginning of a new chapter; one built on decades of expertise and a relentless drive to provide patients with the care they need most.”