Hi there! Facing an organ transplant can be a scary proposition. I feel like anybody facing this kind of surgery faces a lot of fear. There is fear of not finding a match, or finding a match in time; fear of rejecting the organ, fear of the other side effects that come with anti-rejection meds, etc. Several years back; I was pre-qualified for a double lung transplant because my lung function tests showed that I was entering a danger level for lung failure. That was in 2016. I was able to divert the need for transplant then, but, have been in a slow decline since then, and Mayo feels like I need to get listed now. I will begin my journey on May 16 with two weeks of pre-qualifying tests to see if I am still a candidate for a transplant. Lung transplants are particularly more difficult than other solid organ transplants in that the new lungs get exposed to foreign elements when a person breathes in outside air. I have learned that I am HLA Class 1 and Class 2 positive, which means I am autoimmune and will more than likely be constantly rejecting the new lungs. These genes are rare, as is my blood type B+ which will make cross-matching extremely difficult if not impossible. Mayo still thinks I should go for it, but I am worried about my quality of life if I do. I have been in Pulmonary Rehab for several months now and it has helped me a lot with energy and shortness of breath. My present plan that I follow is to stay as fit as possible and keep a positive attitude. I keep a sunny disposition and do not dwell on what may lie ahead. Today, I am breathing ok, I can walk, I can still go shopping (or other places), walk my dogs a mile each day...... so, I will just enjoy this day and be grateful that I am at this level, at this time. That is my story; anyone else out there with HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens) complications?