0:00:04 > 0:00:06'Oh, my God, I love it!'
0:00:10 > 0:00:11I feel proper bridey now.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14I'm getting married in three and a bit weeks' time.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17I think I've planned everything to a tee.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Perfect.
0:00:19 > 0:00:2221-year-old bride-to-be Kirstie was born with cystic fibrosis,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25a genetic disease that is slowly destroying her lungs.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Do I still look pretty with the oxygen?
0:00:28 > 0:00:31This would have been the best time of my life.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34I've got my fiance, we're getting married,
0:00:34 > 0:00:36we've got a dog, we've got a house -
0:00:36 > 0:00:38really this is the best time of my life,
0:00:38 > 0:00:42but one thing has changed it to be the worst time.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46I still enjoy it, I still love my life and I wouldn't change it.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49I would just love to have some working lungs.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53She needs a lifesaving transplant.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Without one, doctors have given her six months to live.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58I am desperate for a transplant.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01You know, if I carry on this rate of decline
0:01:01 > 0:01:07and if things don't change, then I won't be here.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16COUGHING
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Two months ago, Kirstie was placed on the lung transplant waiting list
0:01:27 > 0:01:29after her health dramatically deteriorated.
0:01:29 > 0:01:34Her medical team decided that this would be the only way to prolong her life.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40I'm all right, just had a little vein pop in my lung.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43I can taste the blood - lovely!
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Her lungs are so full of infections that all Kirstie can do now
0:01:48 > 0:01:50is wait for that call to come.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56You've got a 50% chance of never getting a call.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00So, there is a 50% chance that I will die on the waiting list.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03The average waiting time is a year to 18 months.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08So if you think I've already been given six months, that's a long time,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11you know, 12 months to 18 months.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15So I'm hoping it's not going to be that long, obviously!
0:02:18 > 0:02:23Kirstie lives in Devon with her fiance, Stuart, and their dog, Kia.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Good girl, Kia.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29She's a fighter, complete fighter.
0:02:29 > 0:02:30Can't put her down.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32You tell her she can't have something,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35she'll do what she can to make sure she can prove you wrong.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38She will find a way to make sure she does,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42and when she does have it she'll let you know about it and make a fool of you.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44But she likes that, she enjoys it, that's who she is.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- You make me sound like a right bitch! - You're not a bitch.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51But you're a fighter, you're a fighter at everything you do, aren't you?
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Everything in your life is a fight.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Not had an easy ride, and you fight the whole way there.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02See, once I get my transplant, I'm going to have to try and keep up with him.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Kia!
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Hey!
0:03:06 > 0:03:07Good girl!
0:03:07 > 0:03:10The couple met in Exeter almost two years ago,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13long before Kirstie had thought seriously about needing a transplant.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16What did you think when you saw me?
0:03:16 > 0:03:19"There you go, there's a pisshead."
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- I was drunk, wasn't I?- Yeah.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- You were a fun-loving person, weren't you? - Yeah.- Up for a laugh.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- WHISPERS:- Got around a bit.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- What?!- That night - how many people that night?
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Don't, don't put that on camera.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Don't say that.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- I did not! You can't say that on camera, my nan's going to watch this. - Oh!
0:03:39 > 0:03:41MUSIC: "I Like The Colour Of Your Hair" by Eels
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Even though Kirstie has always been ill,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46until recently she led a very active life.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51And when she and Stu first met, things were very different from today.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54# I like the colour of your hair
0:03:57 > 0:04:00# I think we make a handsome pair
0:04:02 > 0:04:05# I can only see my love growing
0:04:08 > 0:04:11# I like the way this is going... #
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Kirstie qualified as a pole dance instructor when she was 19,
0:04:15 > 0:04:20and, until a couple of months ago, she ran daily classes for people wanting to keep fit.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Bring that to the back, lower the arms,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28squeeze with the legs, and come to this position.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Yeah!
0:04:33 > 0:04:35But strength and agility have gone.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42Now during the day Kirstie must take a tank of oxygen with her wherever she goes.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50And at night she's connected to a special ventilator called a BiPAP.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52'I need a BiPAP at night,'
0:04:52 > 0:04:57which is a machine that you put on, it's a mask.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59It's just there.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03It's very sexy.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08And that basically has an airtight fitting,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10and it forces air into my lungs.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16She also has to take high doses of pain medications around the clock,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19and IV antibiotics that are fed directly into her bloodstream.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25That's the IVs - apart from that, obviously, that's a lollipop stick.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Yeah, and they just come in these packs here,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32and then I attach it to my portacath.
0:05:32 > 0:05:38And then it slowly goes in, like over about an hour.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40SHE COUGHS
0:05:42 > 0:05:47Kirstie is one of around 9,000 people in the UK with cystic fibrosis.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52But no two are the same - some experience milder symptoms of the disease,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55while others can deteriorate rapidly.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57So far, there is no cure,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01and the average life expectancy is around the mid-30s.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04CF has meant Kirstie's whole life has been plagued
0:06:04 > 0:06:07with painful coughing, a constant stream of medicines,
0:06:07 > 0:06:08and battling to breathe.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12DOG BARKING
0:06:12 > 0:06:15In one way, I love CF for who it's made me,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19but obviously I'd quite easily trade it in!
0:06:19 > 0:06:24It's an unwanted friend that you'd easily hand in at a heartbeat.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Apparently they don't do like a rollercoaster one.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Kirstie has always been open about her condition,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40and was upfront about it with Stu right from day one.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44She told me what illness she had,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47so I looked it up to see what cystic fibrosis was.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Even after I read all that, I thought I'd still ask her out on a date.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53But you didn't think it'd be like this, not then.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55No, but nor did you.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Well, I did, because I knew what happens.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00No, but you didn't expect the decline to be so quick.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03No, I didn't expect to be on the transplant list at 21.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- No, you didn't expect to be here at 21, did you?- No.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Stuart and Kirstie's immediate focus is their upcoming wedding,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12and as the transplant call may come at any time,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15they've had to make some special arrangements.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19The venue we chose, they said if I had to reschedule it at any point,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22they would be happy to, right up until the day.
0:07:22 > 0:07:28And things like the flowers - they're fake, so they won't waste.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32And the cake is fruit, which keeps for ages.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35And pretty much everything else -
0:07:35 > 0:07:39apart from, probably, the suits we'd probably lose a bit of money on -
0:07:39 > 0:07:43pretty much can wait.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Including the guests!
0:07:45 > 0:07:48We'll just shove them in a cupboard for a while.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53The number of people signed up as potential donors in the UK
0:07:53 > 0:07:56is not enough for all those who need them.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59So Kirstie and Stuart face the very real possibility
0:07:59 > 0:08:03that she might die before the transplant call ever comes.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07It's something we might have to deal with,
0:08:07 > 0:08:12but I believe in that positive thinking, and I know it's coming.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14I know, I know you want to be positive,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17and I'm positive, you know I'm positive,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19but there is that real...
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- I'm more realistic than I am pessimistic or optimistic.- Yeah.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- But that's just different ways. - Whereas you're just an optimist.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Yeah that's... I believe it will come.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31I just can't see you being beaten.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Kirstie has now been waiting for her transplant
0:08:49 > 0:08:50for over two and a half months.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52She's had a difficult morning,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55but Kirstie and Stu have a busy day planned.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00I need the oxygen, extra oxygen tank as well.
0:09:01 > 0:09:06That's a cylinder - this can leak, that doesn't.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Just in case it goes wrong, we have a spare one.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22With only a week till their big day,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Kirstie and Stuart are off last-minute shopping for their wedding.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30'We were going to get married anyway. We're not doing it
0:09:30 > 0:09:32'because I might die. We're doing it
0:09:32 > 0:09:35'because we want to spend the rest of our lives together.'
0:09:41 > 0:09:44SHE COUGHS
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Even underwear can restrict Kirstie's breathing.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Ah.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15I don't know why I put a bra on today.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17It was a stupid idea.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23I am really out of breath today, and my lungs do feel quite bad,
0:10:23 > 0:10:28but it's just pushing through that, really.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31And there's plenty of time to rest.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Attach it to one of the things.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47'Everybody's rude.'
0:10:47 > 0:10:51People just like kind of step over you, arse in face.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54They don't really care, they're just like completely unaware.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57But we've got a technique now with the bits of metal at the front.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01They really hurt people's ankles, so accidents do happen, unfortunately.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05I do say sorry. No, I do, but I don't mean it.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07But if they're rude, then I'll keep going through.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11If Kirstie wants to look in a shop, it's handy to have a wheelchair.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13I can go to where I need to go.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Because she can just stare at items for ten minutes
0:11:16 > 0:11:20deciding if she likes them or not, so there's benefits, there's benefits.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- Basically, he's saying he can dump me anywhere. - Really I can do what I want.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26- It's fun, isn't it? - HE CHUCKLES
0:11:26 > 0:11:30First up, a pair of smart shoes for Stu.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Stop. They are lush.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37They're really nice, don't you think?
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- Cos these are like a bit duller... - I like the duller.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- ..these have got a nice shine. What? - I'm not a shiny shoe kind of guy.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45But it's a wedding, you've got to have nice shiny shoes.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- They'll go with other things. - These have purple laces.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Stuart, don't wind me up.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Them ones are nice as well.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- OK, we'll try these on. - Do you want to try them ones?- No.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- Try on the other pair as well. - Don't want to.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- You're just agreeing with me? - Yeah, shut you up.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- Come on. Hi, can we?- All right, yeah.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Thank you, mate.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15I really want to see them with a trouser leg.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- I've got shorts. - I think you should run down there and get a pair of trousers.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Not the golf trousers, not down that way.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- It's pretty much the similar colour, isn't it?- I suppose.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Yeah, you'll have to put them on.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- No I'm not putting them on. - No, come on.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Dressing room there, you go put them on, and then come back out.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40- What's wrong with this? - No, no, no, I want to see them on, please.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42I love you.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45I'm so deflated your tyres and taking you back in a minute.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48If he puts a pair of naff shoes on for the wedding,
0:12:48 > 0:12:52everyone's going to look and go, "They're naff shoes, mate, they're cheap."
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Right, OK, just untuck that bit.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Stand properly.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06I don't know, you have to decide.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Your bum looks good in those.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- Till. - We're not going to the till yet. We might as well look at my bits.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Or do you want to pay then I'll look at my bits?
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Yeah, before you make me pay for everything else.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25Thank you.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Excuse me, can we squeeze past, please?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- Excuse me.- Excuse me, please.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- Sorry.- Thank you.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- Want to get out? - Yeah, I do, I need some air.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39- Want some food?- Yeah.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I really like that dress over there.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51I'm, like, seriously contemplating a cocktail.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- Can I just have an orange juice? - Orange juice, sure.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- Is that all you want?- I'm driving.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00I'll go for the Martini.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I never do, so why not?
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Your Martini.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Thank you.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Oh, that's so good.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Mmm.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Oh, yes, a warm feeling up my back now.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18Hello, alcohol.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Lucky you've got a wheelchair, because you couldn't walk after that.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30At two o'clock, Kirstie has her second IV of the day.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34But she isn't going to let her medical routine spoil her lunch with Stu.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36We'll just be as discreet as possible.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Whilst drinking a margarita!
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Can be doing anything up to like six IVs a day.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53Like, hours long each, so it can be a bit intense, but it's so easy now.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58It's just like, just attach and go, so it doesn't restrict me too much.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Which one am I attached to? You don't even know.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02But it can be a bit frustrating, like,
0:15:02 > 0:15:06because obviously you've got to remember to take the stuff with you.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13A few hours spent buying shoes and having a quick look around the shops has come at a price.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Kirstie's lungs are now causing her a lot of pain.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26With it getting harder to breathe, she needs to use the BiPAP mask.
0:15:26 > 0:15:32This forces oxygen into her lungs, allowing her exhausted body to rest.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44The lungs get tired, so consequently,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47everything else becomes tired, and Kirstie needs to rest.
0:15:47 > 0:15:48Thanks a lot.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53When we first got together, we'd just go down to the pub.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Go out, have fun and do all sorts of things.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Now we still have fun and we still have a laugh and a joke,
0:15:59 > 0:16:04but we're very inside people because, like you've seen,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08it is so much to get out and around and to plan ahead
0:16:08 > 0:16:11and if Kirstie's got a good day, Kirstie's got a bad day.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12She gets so tired.
0:16:14 > 0:16:20I can only imagine it's like suffocating, drowning - I don't know.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Just looks unpleasant and painful.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Wouldn't want strangers to go through the pain like that.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29You wouldn't want anybody, let alone the one you love
0:16:29 > 0:16:34just lie there in pain, having to use a machine to help her breathe.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36It's horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anybody.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40And if I could take it, even if it was just for one day
0:16:40 > 0:16:44just so she could have a day off, if that's all I could do, I'd do it.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45But I can't.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Throughout her life, Kirstie has had good days and bad days.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04MUSIC: "Blinking Lights (For Me)" By Eels
0:17:04 > 0:17:08# Blinking lights on the airplane wings
0:17:08 > 0:17:12# Specially for me
0:17:12 > 0:17:16# Ain't no rainbow in the sky
0:17:16 > 0:17:19# In the middle of the night... #
0:17:20 > 0:17:25She has to have regular checkups at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28When here she's under the care of Dr Nick Withers,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30who has known Kirstie since she was a teenager.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35Everything Kirstie does at the level that you and I would be running up the stairs.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38That's why she looks so exhausted all the time.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39And that's just sitting down.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43And trying to walk is like sprinting or running a marathon for her.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47Her lung function is about 16% compared to what a normal,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50healthy person of the same age and height would be.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53And, as a measure of how seriously unwell Kirstie is,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56we normally think about referring people for transplantation
0:17:56 > 0:18:00when their lung function gets down to about 33 or 30%,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02so she's well below that level now.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06If she doesn't get a transplant within a reasonable timeframe
0:18:06 > 0:18:10then I'm afraid there's nothing else that we'll be able to do to help her.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26It's going to work fine.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28It's all going to work fine.
0:18:28 > 0:18:34Kirstie, her mum, Lynne, and sister Kerry have an appointment at the local beauty salon
0:18:34 > 0:18:35in preparation for the big day.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39Somebody's getting married in six days!
0:18:39 > 0:18:44This morning, woke up with a huge temperature.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48And, yeah, racing heart rate, and wasn't very well.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52But I've had loads of meds and we're fine now, so...
0:18:52 > 0:18:57She needs at least two or three days good rest.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58Nothing in between.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01She really needs a good run up for the wedding.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06I've told everybody, Wednesday in the evening, it's early night.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11You know, she's not up at the bar drinking all night, that's for sure.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21Do you want my hands?
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Lovely, thank you.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27We're dancing to Michael Buble, "Hold On" -
0:19:27 > 0:19:29literally, because I'll be holding on!
0:19:29 > 0:19:35We're going to just kind of like move around a little bit,
0:19:35 > 0:19:37but not really do a lot.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40And then we do that for, like, 30 seconds and then want people
0:19:40 > 0:19:45to start coming in and then I can make my way off the dance floor!
0:19:49 > 0:19:53It's quite annoying because, obviously, I used to be a dancer,
0:19:53 > 0:19:58so not being able to do a proper dance for our first dance is really annoying.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02I'm taking my liquid oxygen when I go down the aisle.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07But it's going to be like a different holdall thing
0:20:07 > 0:20:11because Stuart's mum's making like an ivory one for it.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Just so it doesn't look so ugly.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23That looks hilarious.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27So, the same kind as your sister, just at the top and squared?
0:20:27 > 0:20:28Yeah.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Are you all right?- Yeah.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- I thought you jumped then!- No.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40My painkillers are wearing off now so my chest is getting a bit sore.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47As always Kirstie pushes herself to carry on despite being so ill,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50especially as tonight is another important step towards marriage.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53It's my hen do tonight.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Just a few drinks and be a good laugh.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58I know they haven't got a stripper.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00I hope they haven't got a stripper,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04because I'm just not really into that, to be honest.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08But I don't think Mum would want a greasy man all over her furniture
0:21:08 > 0:21:10so I don't think there's a stripper.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11Nah.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13No.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Uh-uh.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36GUESTS TALKING
0:21:36 > 0:21:42STRAINED COUGHING
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Kirstie's still feeling very unwell,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50but she wants to make sure everyone has a great night.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53LAUGHTER
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Somewhere in there is a piece of paper.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00- You have to get them right, all of them. - Where was your first kiss?
0:22:00 > 0:22:04On our first date, in his car.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- Oh, classy! - Yeah, he agreed with that.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Aww, that's sweet.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12And, to be fair, we nearly didn't kiss
0:22:12 > 0:22:14because he was too much of a wuss.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17He was! He was.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Where was your first sexual encounter together?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Are you listening, Julie?!
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Where was their first sexual encounter!
0:22:25 > 0:22:28In his bedroom at his mum's.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29EXCITED LAUGHTER
0:22:29 > 0:22:34He went, "I'm not answering that, you'll have to get Kirstie to!"
0:22:34 > 0:22:35Did he not answer it?
0:22:35 > 0:22:37He is old enough.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Ann, a close friend of the family, has known Kirstie since the day she was born.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46MUSIC: "I Want To Make Love To You" by Etta James
0:22:46 > 0:22:47What's that?
0:22:47 > 0:22:51And she's arranged a special surprise for the hen.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Did you sort this out?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56# I don't want you
0:22:56 > 0:22:58# To work all day
0:22:58 > 0:23:01# But I want you
0:23:01 > 0:23:03# To be true
0:23:03 > 0:23:08# And I just want to make love to you
0:23:08 > 0:23:10# I don't want you
0:23:10 > 0:23:12# Sad and blue
0:23:12 > 0:23:14No!
0:23:14 > 0:23:16SCREAMING
0:23:17 > 0:23:19# Love to you
0:23:19 > 0:23:22# Ooh, ooh... #
0:23:25 > 0:23:27That was funny.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28Where is Ann?!
0:23:31 > 0:23:35I'm so glad you were the one that was put on the floor.
0:23:37 > 0:23:38You loved it.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47THEY SING: "Here Comes The Bride"
0:23:51 > 0:23:53It's been a busy few days for Kirstie,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56and she's forced to spend the weekend resting at home.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07However, her condition suddenly turns critical, and she's taken
0:24:07 > 0:24:10to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for emergency treatment.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Her lips went blue, her ears went blue,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30her face started to go grey.
0:24:30 > 0:24:31Called an ambulance.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34You don't know what to think, but when she can't breathe
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- you think, "Oh,- BLEEP."
0:24:39 > 0:24:42It's the first time it's been this bad since she's been with me.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46I know she's been rushed to hospital before with other problems,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49but not being able to breathe and going blue,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52to the best of my knowledge, has never happened before.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57So, I think that was just a shock to everybody and...
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Just a massive shock.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Especially with the wedding on Thursday, as well.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04It happened on the Monday.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Kirstie is renowned for her timing, shall we say.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11She always times things to the best possible place.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12But it's not her fault.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Kirstie's seriously unwell with her chronic lung disease, her cystic fibrosis
0:25:21 > 0:25:24and she really is living life on a knife edge at the moment,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27and any small thing can tip her over.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31There is a risk that she could die of her lung disease at any stage
0:25:31 > 0:25:35and that could happen before her wedding.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40We obviously need to discuss with Kirstie and Stuart, her fiance,
0:25:40 > 0:25:45and her mother, this afternoon whether we need to put other plans in place.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50That might include arranging for her to be married in hospital.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56The life threatening infections in Kirstie's lungs are making her weak
0:25:56 > 0:26:01and the doctors want to keep her in for a seven-day course of medication.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05But with the wedding only a few days away, there isn't enough time.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10And, despite the risks, Kirstie is still determined to go ahead as planned.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13It's what she's been looking forward to all year,
0:26:13 > 0:26:15since she got the ring, no doubt.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17And that's what she wants.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Just kind of a waiting game until her lungs will work
0:26:20 > 0:26:23to a degree where she can cope without the machine.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28So, until then it's as much rest and any help we can get
0:26:28 > 0:26:32to get her there for Thursday is the game plan now.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36She just needs to lie back and whatever we've not done we've not done, it's tough.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Just getting her to the wedding is now the important part for us.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42HER VOICE IS MUFFLED THE MASK
0:26:42 > 0:26:44Sorry?
0:26:44 > 0:26:47You're hungry - you want me to get you some food?
0:26:47 > 0:26:49What do you want?
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Think I'll have soup.
0:26:51 > 0:26:52What soup do you want?
0:26:52 > 0:26:54We can't really be fussy.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Shall I get whatever they've got?
0:26:56 > 0:26:59And if you don't like it I'll go down the shop and get you tomato soup.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03Anything else? Drink? Coke? Sprite?
0:27:03 > 0:27:04Sprite or Coke?
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- Sprite.- Sprite today.
0:27:07 > 0:27:08And a soup.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10What do you want for dessert?
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Chocolate soup? Chocolate?
0:27:12 > 0:27:16- I want a roll as well. - Yeah, I'll get you a roll with your seeds,
0:27:16 > 0:27:18cos you like chewing the seeds.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Dr Withers and the team have done everything they can.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25Now they must wait and see how Kirstie responds to the treatment.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29No-one knows if she'll be well enough to get married on Thursday.
0:27:40 > 0:27:45It's the day of the wedding, and Kirstie arrives straight from hospital.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51She's still very weak, but nothing will prevent her
0:27:51 > 0:27:54from marrying Stu in front of all their family and friends.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57She's got more backbone than anybody I know.
0:27:57 > 0:28:0021 years of age, been through so much...
0:28:00 > 0:28:02and so strong.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07We're the bloody weaklings, aren't we?
0:28:07 > 0:28:08We're the weak ones.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Bless her.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- What's the time, Mum? - Um, it's ticking.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Yeah, it was a little bit scary.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22And, um, a bit full on.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26My team have set up loads of things just to get me here today
0:28:26 > 0:28:30and I knew they'd make sure it happened.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33I think it'll be fine, so it's all good.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37The adrenaline's kicked in now, so it's fine.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Two of Kirstie's specialist CF nurses and her physiotherapist
0:28:43 > 0:28:47have come to the wedding to keep an eye on her condition.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51She's come here with the knowledge that today could have been too much for her,
0:28:51 > 0:28:53and we may have been dealing with...
0:28:53 > 0:28:57not a very nice event at her wedding.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01We've come with the drugs prepared to help her through
0:29:01 > 0:29:06any symptoms she might have had, and thankfully she's nice and calm.
0:29:06 > 0:29:11And we obviously discussed that with her, with Stuart, with Lynne...
0:29:11 > 0:29:12And both her consultants.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15..just so we all knew what's the best thing for her
0:29:15 > 0:29:17if she did suddenly collapse or become unwell.
0:29:27 > 0:29:28Hello.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32What you smiling about so much?
0:29:32 > 0:29:36I've just had a little sneaky strip-a-gram.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Stuart's in there in his cerise pink boxers!
0:29:39 > 0:29:41THEY LAUGH
0:29:41 > 0:29:43- You always get it, don't you? - I know!
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Right, I've got to go and see Kirstie.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Yeah, that looks really nice.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Really pretty.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Yes, really does look pretty.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Know for a fact that she was always going to make it.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05I know her heart, and I know her head.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09She has drive and determination like nobody else in the world.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11And you can't question that.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13And it's why I'm marrying her.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15Simple.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18MUSIC: "Rule The World" by Take That
0:30:18 > 0:30:23# You light the skies up above me
0:30:27 > 0:30:32# A star so bright
0:30:32 > 0:30:38# You blind me, yeah
0:30:38 > 0:30:43# Don't close your eyes
0:30:43 > 0:30:46# Don't fade away
0:30:46 > 0:30:51# Don't fade away, oh
0:30:51 > 0:30:55# Yeah, you and me we can ride on a star
0:30:55 > 0:30:59# If you stay with me, girl
0:30:59 > 0:31:02# We can rule the world
0:31:02 > 0:31:07# Yeah, you and me we can light up the sky
0:31:07 > 0:31:10# If you stay by my side
0:31:10 > 0:31:15# We can rule the world... #
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- Hi.- Hi.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- You blubbing already?- Always.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28So, Stuart and Kirstie, it is my duty to remind you
0:31:28 > 0:31:34of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36I call upon these persons here present
0:31:36 > 0:31:39to witness that I Stuart Karl Tancock...
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- To witness that I, Kirstie Mills... - ..take thee, Kirstie Mills...
0:31:43 > 0:31:45...do take thee, Stuart Karl Tancock...
0:31:45 > 0:31:48..to be lawful wedded wife.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50..to be my lawful wedded husband.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52I promise to give you my love and friendship,
0:31:52 > 0:31:56- be there for you when you need me the most... - ..to trust you, comfort you,
0:31:56 > 0:31:59all that I have I share with you.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02..to support you, to laugh with you, and to confide in you.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06- I promise to respect you... - ..and be faithful to you, always.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09These promises I make for the rest of my life.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13You are husband and wife.
0:32:13 > 0:32:14Congratulations.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:32:19 > 0:32:24# Oh, I'll be there for you... #
0:32:24 > 0:32:25Mr and Mrs Tancock!
0:32:25 > 0:32:29APPLAUSE
0:32:32 > 0:32:36You all here today, thank you so, so much for that.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39To spend our day with us it means so, so much to us.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41Especially after, well, as most of you know,
0:32:41 > 0:32:43this week has not been the easiest.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47But I'm not going to go into that because it's not about that today, it's about us,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50and I'm sure she doesn't want to go into that today...
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Yeah? Or do you?
0:32:52 > 0:32:54LAUGHTER
0:32:54 > 0:32:57I think everybody in here will admit Kirstie looks beautiful.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00No questions asked.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04APPLAUSE
0:33:04 > 0:33:06I'd give an arm and leg for you.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08Anything I could...
0:33:08 > 0:33:10APPLAUSE
0:33:10 > 0:33:12- Oh,- BLEEP- me.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14God, this week's killed me.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16LAUGHTER
0:33:23 > 0:33:27So the bride and groom can concentrate on enjoying their day,
0:33:27 > 0:33:31the nurses take charge of Kirstie's medical needs.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34Sarah and Liz have known Kirstie since she was a child,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37and they've become firm friends over the years.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Kirstie kind of floundered with what it was she wanted to do in life
0:33:41 > 0:33:44because there were things she wanted to do that her CF
0:33:44 > 0:33:47physically wouldn't let her do, simply wouldn't let her do.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51She found pole dancing and thought, "I can do this," and completely flourished.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54She'd found a focus, found what she was fabulous at, which was teaching.
0:33:54 > 0:34:00Kirstie even persuaded Sarah and Liz to have a go at pole dancing.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03She was particularly good as a teacher, very encouraging.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06I thought I'd be ridiculous at it, but she was really lovely.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08- She didn't make us feel stupid. - No, she didn't.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12She gave me just that little bit of confidence to say,
0:34:12 > 0:34:14"I tried it, I wasn't that bad."
0:34:14 > 0:34:16And she obviously gets satisfaction from that,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19and not being able to do that... she took so much pride
0:34:19 > 0:34:23in being able to do that, that's what's sad -
0:34:23 > 0:34:27again her CF has whipped it out from under her.
0:34:27 > 0:34:34As the meal ends, Kirstie goes back to her room to rest and gather strength for later
0:34:34 > 0:34:37leaving the guests to carry on without her.
0:34:37 > 0:34:38'I think what would be amazing is'
0:34:38 > 0:34:43if she woke up tomorrow married and her call came then.
0:34:43 > 0:34:48But the reality is that you don't know when her call is going to come.
0:34:48 > 0:34:53It could be any length of time, and she knows that,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56which is why she knew how important it was to have her day now.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01She's been upstairs for about two hours resting.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04The nurses have been very on me making sure that
0:35:04 > 0:35:08if Kirstie gets out of breath she's got to go straight back to her room.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12It's been very risky to her health, it has been.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16She's on her way down the stairs now coming back out all ready again.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20She is absolutely exhausted and she could do with being down here
0:35:20 > 0:35:23for an hour and going back up but that's not Kirstie.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25She'll be down here for as long as she can.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Kirstie does stay with the guests,
0:35:29 > 0:35:33and is still going strong well into the evening.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36- Well, I've definitely got the shiniest shoes today. - They are nice shoes.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45The morning after the wedding, Kirstie goes back into hospital.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51After a few days' treatment the infections in her lungs
0:35:51 > 0:35:54are brought back under control and she's able to return home.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59Got to get the consultants here to see, but going home now.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14It's been almost a week since the wedding,
0:36:14 > 0:36:18and now Kirstie is out of hospital they can get on with life as a married couple.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21This isn't going to work.
0:36:21 > 0:36:22But I said...yeah, it should.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24But did I say it wouldn't?
0:36:24 > 0:36:25That's not the point.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28I said it wouldn't, and it didn't.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Just give in.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Be a good husband.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34That's never going to happen!
0:36:36 > 0:36:38I won.
0:36:38 > 0:36:39Yes, dear, you won.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40Oh, thank you.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Kirstie has been on the transplant list for over three months.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49Time is running out.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53And her recent stay in hospital has brought this clearly into focus.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58I feel like everything's just sped up on me again.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02It's like we're in gear five already
0:37:02 > 0:37:05and we've managed to go up a notch already.
0:37:05 > 0:37:10And everything's just decreasing so quickly.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13And now I'm just waiting on borrowed time if you get what I mean.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17But I'm still really positive about getting a transplant.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Now the wedding's come and gone,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23every phone call now we think could be the call,
0:37:23 > 0:37:25so the focus is hopefully the transplant will come.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28We're going away for a couple of days,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31but obviously if a call comes we'll pack and go.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33Maybe we should take another suitcase.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37MUSIC: "Waiting for a chance to come" by Noah And The Whale
0:37:37 > 0:37:39- Where is your hairdryer? - You put it away last.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44- Are you sure?- Yeah.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47It does feel stressful trying to leave the house,
0:37:47 > 0:37:52cos I'd like to just be helping out but that's not going to happen.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Look in one of the wedding boxes.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57Why is it in there?
0:37:57 > 0:38:01That's why you should things back where they belong, Stuart.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05Cause it's hard to feel like
0:38:05 > 0:38:10# You're worth something in this life
0:38:10 > 0:38:13# When you're walking next to me
0:38:13 > 0:38:17# I can hear my body speak
0:38:17 > 0:38:22# We're just waiting for a chance to come. #
0:38:26 > 0:38:29We've got to go back to the house.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Disabled badges.
0:38:31 > 0:38:32- Oh,- BLEEP.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34You have to go back.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53# Sorrow found me when I was young... #
0:38:55 > 0:38:58After a few days' honeymoon Kirstie becomes so desperately ill she is
0:38:58 > 0:39:02no longer stable enough to wait for her transplant in Devon.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Nobody expected it to happen this quick.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Not even she did.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10But, unfortunately, with this disease the effects can go
0:39:10 > 0:39:13so quickly or really slowly.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16I mean, the average life expectancy is 38.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17Kirstie's 21.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22She will not make 38 without a new set of lungs.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25To be honest, I don't know if she'd make 22.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29# I don't wanna get over you... #
0:39:31 > 0:39:35Kirstie has to be taken now to Harefield Hospital in London,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38one of only six specialist transplant units in the country.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Even though her transplant call is yet to come.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47In life you don't know who you're going to fall in love with.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50I fell in love with her, I accept it - it's that simple.
0:39:50 > 0:39:55When I first got together, and after a couple of months it got like more serious...
0:39:55 > 0:39:58and her mum like, collared me and took me to one side
0:39:58 > 0:40:01and she was like, "Do you know what's going to happen, Stuart?"
0:40:01 > 0:40:02And I was like, "Yeah... Really."
0:40:02 > 0:40:05And we had a massive chat about things and it's like,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08"Well, you know it's a short time limit you've got."
0:40:08 > 0:40:10And I was like, "Yeah, yeah."
0:40:10 > 0:40:14But I'd rather have something short and be as happy as I can be,
0:40:14 > 0:40:19than a lifetime with someone that you just go through the motions.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24I took my option...
0:40:24 > 0:40:28And I don't regret it at all.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33# I don't wanna get over you
0:40:38 > 0:40:41# I don't wanna get over you... #
0:40:46 > 0:40:51Just over 24 hours after Kirstie arrives at Harefield Hospital
0:40:51 > 0:40:53there's exciting and unexpected news.
0:40:53 > 0:40:54I've got to go in now.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Such good news.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Ann, can you tell us what's happening? Just very quickly.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03There's lungs available and if it goes ahead at 1.30 we're going to know.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08This is the happiest day ever, eh?
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Fantastic.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14It's over three months since Kirstie went onto the transplant waiting list.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17And now there are donor lungs available.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20It's the news that Kirstie and her family have been waiting for.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23KIRSTIE COUGHS
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Before Kirstie can have the transplant the lungs
0:41:27 > 0:41:31have to be checked to make sure they're a suitable match.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35If all goes well the transplant will go ahead.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37Everyone is in for a long night.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41HEAVY COUGHING
0:41:46 > 0:41:52But in the early hours of Saturday morning there is disappointing news.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56The transplant coordinator tells everyone that the lungs were too large for Kirstie's body.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00So they're unable to go ahead with the operation.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03As soon as she walked in the room I could see in her eyes it was a no,
0:42:03 > 0:42:07and I just dropped my head and I think everybody else did exactly the same, to be honest.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Everybody, everybody was gutted.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Even the nurse on duty that night was gutted.
0:42:12 > 0:42:17We were so excited for Kirstie this chance came along and this was it,
0:42:17 > 0:42:22and the next minute you're back down in the bottom,
0:42:22 > 0:42:24the lowest you can be again because,
0:42:24 > 0:42:29well, she's still got the same crappy lungs inside her.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31But they weren't meant to be.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35So now just waiting for the next one.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40It's not uncommon for people on the waiting list to experience a false alarm.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43But it's devastated news for Stu and the family.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47However the one person keeping positive is Kirstie herself.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49She's still upbeat. Doesn't faze her.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51I mean, the moment the woman said,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54"Unfortunately, Kirstie, these were too big",
0:42:54 > 0:42:56within about 15 seconds, she was like,
0:42:56 > 0:42:58"OK, guys, you can go. I'm going to sleep."
0:42:58 > 0:43:02And just switched off. I don't know how. I haven't a clue because I couldn't do it.
0:43:02 > 0:43:08She understands that false alarms happen quite a lot, so she's all right with it all.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10Despite everything Kirstie is going through
0:43:10 > 0:43:12she somehow still finds the energy
0:43:12 > 0:43:16to keep her friends and family updated through Facebook.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19"After last night's false alarm I feel very emotionally drained.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23"I think my family were in a lot of pain and seeing their faces was pretty hard.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25"So I ushered them away pretty quickly.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28"I said a prayer for the donor.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31"Somebody's life was still saved last night so I'm grateful for that.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33"I was just sad it wasn't my chance yet,
0:43:33 > 0:43:37"but today I feel much better mentally and even physically a little bit."
0:43:37 > 0:43:40That was her last update at 11 o'clock in the morning.
0:43:40 > 0:43:41And that is Kirstie.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43She'd never let you down.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49But Kirstie's body does let her down and the updates stop.
0:43:52 > 0:43:56Every day in the UK three people die on the transplant list
0:43:56 > 0:43:59while waiting for a donor to be found.
0:44:01 > 0:44:05Over the next two days Kirstie's condition gets worse.
0:44:11 > 0:44:15Lynne and Stuart got calls this morning, very early, about 4am
0:44:15 > 0:44:19to say Kirstie had taken a really bad turn and they were going to intubate her.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23But when they got here the coordinator came in and said we think we've got lungs.
0:44:23 > 0:44:28And hopefully within about another hour we should know if the condition of the lungs are good to go.
0:44:28 > 0:44:30In which case, please God.
0:44:32 > 0:44:34So - just waiting.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37This really needs to happen today. Really, really poorly.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41She was coughing up blood. So badly infected now.
0:44:41 > 0:44:42By the sounds of it
0:44:42 > 0:44:45there's not much breath left in her body, really.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49- PHONE RINGS - That might be Lynne.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52Yes, Lynne... Hello.
0:44:53 > 0:44:55Yes...
0:44:55 > 0:44:56What?
0:44:57 > 0:44:59No!
0:45:00 > 0:45:02Oh, no.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05Oh, God.
0:45:05 > 0:45:09OK, love. I'm coming in. I'm coming in.
0:45:09 > 0:45:10All right, love.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12I'll be there in a minute.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18No go. They're no good.
0:45:18 > 0:45:19What did she say? >
0:45:19 > 0:45:21Just they're no good.
0:45:21 > 0:45:23They're obviously not healthy enough.
0:45:26 > 0:45:28How did she sound?
0:45:28 > 0:45:30Distraught. I need to go to her.
0:45:30 > 0:45:31Sorry.
0:45:31 > 0:45:32Give her our love.
0:45:32 > 0:45:33Yes.
0:45:42 > 0:45:44Time is running out for Kirstie.
0:45:44 > 0:45:47Now more than ever she needs this transplant.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51# Money came like rain to your hands
0:45:51 > 0:45:53# While you were waiting
0:45:53 > 0:45:58# For that cold long promise to appear... #
0:46:00 > 0:46:0424 hours later Kirstie's heart and lungs are no longer strong enough to keep her alive.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09# My God is a good God who cares... #
0:46:09 > 0:46:14She's been put on an ECMO machine to do the work for her.
0:46:14 > 0:46:19It was a complicated procedure but the doctors had no other option.
0:46:22 > 0:46:23Their words were,
0:46:23 > 0:46:25"If we don't fit the ECMO today,
0:46:25 > 0:46:28"she might get through tonight and she might not."
0:46:28 > 0:46:34So, you get told that you sign the consent forms.
0:46:34 > 0:46:38Because one night's not long enough and fingers crossed the ECMO does
0:46:38 > 0:46:42a long enough job for Kirstie to get the lungs and get out of here.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46This is only a temporary solution.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50In general it's not possible for a patient to be on ECMO for more than five to ten days.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54The window's getting smaller and smaller.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57We have to have that phone call for lungs.
0:46:58 > 0:47:00We just need something.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02We need a miracle now.
0:47:02 > 0:47:06We're praying for that miracle and I would give anything at this point.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12Kirstie and Stu have been married for exactly three weeks.
0:47:14 > 0:47:18And as a husband now I need to provide for her and help her
0:47:18 > 0:47:24but I cannot provide this and I should...but I can't.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27Still got hope.
0:47:27 > 0:47:30If you haven't got hope, you're even more useless.
0:47:33 > 0:47:38I do not want to drive away from this hospital without my wife next to me.
0:47:38 > 0:47:41That's now my goal and my dream...
0:47:43 > 0:47:45..here.
0:47:49 > 0:47:53But no lungs arrive. And with Kirstie clinging on to life, the wait goes on.
0:48:02 > 0:48:06# Rather die in your arms Than die lonesome
0:48:10 > 0:48:15# Rather die hard, than die hollow
0:48:17 > 0:48:21# The higher that I climb
0:48:21 > 0:48:25# The deeper I fall down
0:48:25 > 0:48:29# I'm running out of time
0:48:29 > 0:48:34# So let's dance while we're waiting
0:48:34 > 0:48:39# We will live longer than I will
0:48:39 > 0:48:41# We will be better than I was
0:48:41 > 0:48:46# We can cross rivers with our will
0:48:46 > 0:48:50# We can do better than I can
0:48:50 > 0:48:53# So dance while you can. #
0:48:53 > 0:48:55I left hospital last night, got home
0:48:55 > 0:48:58and after about an hour there I got a phone call from Lynne.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02Basically screaming at me, I think the words were, "Get your arse here.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05"We've had a call. The lungs are here."
0:49:09 > 0:49:13The donor lungs are a match for Kirstie and are on their way to Harefield.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16But after waiting so long her body is in danger of shutting down altogether.
0:49:16 > 0:49:21She has to be taken to the operating theatre
0:49:21 > 0:49:26and put on bypass while they wait for the donor lungs to arrive.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29It just finally seems like we're getting somewhere now.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32There's light at the end of the tunnel. So we're nearly there.
0:49:35 > 0:49:38Nearly four months after going on the list,
0:49:38 > 0:49:41Kirstie's transplant operation finally goes ahead.
0:49:45 > 0:49:46It lasts four and a half hours.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52We're just waiting around now until we can pop in and see her.
0:49:52 > 0:49:55Just a waiting game again. Another waiting game, but we're getting there.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57We're getting towards the end game.
0:49:57 > 0:50:00- Hi. I spoke to you on the phone. - Yeah. Stuart.
0:50:00 > 0:50:02- Is that right? Hi, Gavin Wright. - Nice to meet you.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05- She's doing very well.- Yeah?
0:50:05 > 0:50:07She is being ventilated just with air.
0:50:07 > 0:50:11Her lungs don't need any extra oxygen. They're really top quality.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14Is she still on ECMO, or is that all?
0:50:14 > 0:50:16No, no. We've removed all of the pipes for the ECMO.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19And she's just living off her own lungs now, off her new lungs.
0:50:19 > 0:50:22- Yeah.- She doesn't need ECMO any more.- That's amazing.
0:50:22 > 0:50:23It's all looking good.
0:50:23 > 0:50:26- Thank you so much.- See you soon.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29- Thank you very much.- Thank you. - Thank you.- Yeah.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33- It's all right. It's all good. That's amazing. Oh,- BLEEP.
0:50:34 > 0:50:37She doesn't mess about, does she, eh?
0:50:37 > 0:50:43She scares the crap and puts us on the edge and right up, generally play the wire, doesn't she?
0:50:43 > 0:50:47- She's not giving you an easy ride. > - I wonder if she saw the bright light?
0:50:47 > 0:50:50I don't know. It can't have been far off.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53Kirstie very nearly died.
0:50:53 > 0:50:57The donor lungs became available at the last possible moment.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00Kirstie was desperate to get a lung transplant.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03She was so unstable that we had to go on bypass
0:51:03 > 0:51:06because the ECMO was not able to do the job any more.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08She was very lucky.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10With Kirstie's old lungs removed,
0:51:10 > 0:51:12consultant surgeon Mr Toufan Bahrami
0:51:12 > 0:51:16can see the full damage caused by her cystic fibrosis.
0:51:16 > 0:51:21This X-ray is the morning before the operation.
0:51:21 > 0:51:24This is the evening following the procedure.
0:51:24 > 0:51:28And we can see the left lung is completely blocked
0:51:28 > 0:51:32and the only part which was partly functioning is the upper lobe.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35All the white patchy area,
0:51:35 > 0:51:38they are damaged lungs due to infection.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41Three-quarters of the right lung was not functioning.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45Immediately after surgery, the structure of the lung is normal.
0:51:45 > 0:51:47In six, seven years of transplant
0:51:47 > 0:51:52at Harefield, I haven't seen such a poor state of lungs
0:51:52 > 0:51:55in a cystic fibrotic patient.
0:51:55 > 0:52:01# Let the rain wash away All the pain of yesterday
0:52:01 > 0:52:04# I know my kingdom... #
0:52:07 > 0:52:08How are you?
0:52:08 > 0:52:11Kirstie has had her new lungs for nine days,
0:52:11 > 0:52:15and is still coming to terms with the enormity of what's just happened.
0:52:16 > 0:52:23I didn't expect to be so near the edge of life really.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29I knew I was ill,
0:52:29 > 0:52:36and I think I was so used to trying to convince people I was ill
0:52:36 > 0:52:43that I'd kind of forgotten just how ill I was myself.
0:52:44 > 0:52:48Every day is an improvement. I mean, every time you see Kirstie
0:52:48 > 0:52:50you can see more swelling's gone down.
0:52:50 > 0:52:51She's got a smile on her face.
0:52:51 > 0:52:55The surgeon said they're some of the best lungs they've put in anybody,
0:52:55 > 0:52:57so we have to be thankful for that.
0:52:57 > 0:53:01Kirstie will be more than grateful for that, and I know she'll do
0:53:01 > 0:53:03the donor proud whatever she does.
0:53:03 > 0:53:09I think nothing really prepares you for this.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13It's very traumatic,
0:53:13 > 0:53:15but it's definitely worth it.
0:53:16 > 0:53:20I think you read and read so much information
0:53:20 > 0:53:26that it just, you never know how.
0:53:31 > 0:53:34But, like I said, it's definitely worth it.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36It will be when I walk out of here as well.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42Little steps, isn't it?
0:53:42 > 0:53:45And then you can start beating up Stuey.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47Did that anyway!
0:53:47 > 0:53:48Can you do that already?
0:53:53 > 0:53:55Someone's got to keep him in line.
0:53:57 > 0:54:03# When the daylight comes Do you feel it?
0:54:03 > 0:54:11# Leave your bag of bones Underneath your bed
0:54:11 > 0:54:17# Everything is as it should be... #
0:54:17 > 0:54:19Walkies!
0:54:21 > 0:54:22Walkies!
0:54:22 > 0:54:26It has been almost seven weeks since Kirstie's transplant.
0:54:26 > 0:54:28What a couple of months.
0:54:34 > 0:54:39Her memories of the days leading up to the operation are still very fresh in her mind.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43I was really fighting then.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45Every breath was literally...
0:54:46 > 0:54:49I just, I can't even explain how hard it was.
0:54:49 > 0:54:54I mean, difficult doesn't, it wasn't difficult, it was just impossible.
0:54:54 > 0:54:59And obviously, I'm so glad that I had the strength,
0:54:59 > 0:55:01I had the family
0:55:01 > 0:55:05and the surgeons, and my donor just,
0:55:05 > 0:55:07and they saved my life really.
0:55:07 > 0:55:11- Stu, go and get Kia a stick. - You get a stick. You can walk now!
0:55:13 > 0:55:16Kirstie's struggle has barely begun.
0:55:16 > 0:55:19It will take months to get her strength back.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22And she faces a lifetime of anti-rejection treatment
0:55:22 > 0:55:24so that her body accepts her new lungs.
0:55:24 > 0:55:29But Kirstie knows now she and Stu have a future.
0:55:29 > 0:55:34I'm living and I'm breathing, and my chest is clear.
0:55:34 > 0:55:38I feel like I can do so much more. I just don't feel breathless.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42And when I do, it's because I've run somewhere. I've done something.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45I've done a lot of exercise, and it's a normal breathlessness.
0:55:45 > 0:55:47It's because I'm unfit.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50I can't reach if you're pushing me away at the same time.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54It's nothing's that's wrong.
0:55:54 > 0:55:57It's just I'm working my lungs.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59My shiny new lungs.
0:55:59 > 0:56:00Give me a kiss then.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02When we kissed before,
0:56:02 > 0:56:04I could only do it for a short time
0:56:04 > 0:56:06and I had little oxygen in my blood anyway so it was like,
0:56:06 > 0:56:09just a feeling of breathlessness. So we'd just like,
0:56:09 > 0:56:11all we'd do was this, wouldn't we?
0:56:12 > 0:56:15That was as much as our kissing got.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18But now we can kiss properly!
0:56:19 > 0:56:22- And I don't feel breathless.- Nope.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25- Don't take your breath away any more, do I?- No!
0:56:26 > 0:56:32# I really want to go out
0:56:32 > 0:56:36# I really want to go outside To stop to see your day... #
0:56:39 > 0:56:41Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:56:41 > 0:56:43E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk