Making History as a Transplant Recipient Mom

CKF Ambassador Inka Nisinbaum’ Transplant Journey

One year after the transplant, Inka was doing well and felt inspired to pursue her studies in Psychology once again. In 2007, she moved to Vienna, Austria, with her future husband, and they lived there until relocating to the United States in 2009. Since then, they have resided in St. Louis, Dallas, and now Colorado. In December 2013, Inka made history by becoming the first recipient of double lung and liver transplants to have a baby—an energetic, healthy boy!

Now, 21 years post-transplant, Inka feels a strong desire to become more involved in her community and share her journey. She believes her story can serve as a beacon of hope for others and demonstrate the power of kindness. Since her transplant, Inka has become increasingly active, engaging in activities like running and boxing while cherishing time spent with her son. She hopes to educate the next generation about the importance of becoming donors, as she recognizes that she would not be a mother to her son without the gift of life from her donor.

Inka was born and raised in Germany, and just one day after her birth, doctors diagnosed her with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).This is a genetic disorder that affects the body's mucus-producing glands, leading to the production of thick, sticky mucus that clogs organs and causes chronic infections. CF is a serious condition that can be life-threatening. When doctors predicted that Inka would not live past the age of four, her family was faced with a harsh reality. However, Inka proved them wrong by exceeding that expectation and living a relatively normal life until she was 22.

Eventually, Inka needed a liver transplant, but her CF complicated the situation because the surgery would require immune suppression, which could lead to bacterial infections in her lungs, ultimately damaging them further. After careful consideration, doctors concluded that she would need a combined lung and liver transplant and placed her on the transplant list.

Inka then faced a long and challenging 15-month wait on the list. Despite her family's efforts to stay positive during 2002, it became increasingly clear to both Inka and her loved ones that she might not survive until the following Christmas without a transplant.

On the evening of December 27th, she received the call that a suitable donor was available for her lifesaving surgery. Unlike many others, Inka did not experience a "dry run," meaning her transplant went ahead as planned without any last-minute cancellations. The surgery took place on December 28th. Afterward, Inka spent a month in the hospital recovering, a process that was not straightforward and came with its own challenges. Nonetheless, she persevered and was eventually released.