Double Lung Transplants Give Couple a Second Chance at Life

Before they met, Frank and Amber Avila struggled with serious lung problems. They never imagined their illnesses would bring them together in happiness and health.

In 2020, Frank, then 48 years old, posted an Instagram photo of himself riding a bike while on oxygen. Amber, 49, was curious since the lung issues she had dealt with since she was 5 years old kept her from rigorous exercise. Amber lacked a protein that protects her lungs and she suffered from nonfunctioning cilia, a progressive genetic disorder that would necessitate a double lung transplant.

Frank, 52, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when he was 3 years old. That caused a host of health issues, including two kidney transplants from living relatives. He underwent a double lung transplant 27 years ago, and his lungs were rapidly declining. He knew he would need a second transplant to live.

Frank did not let it keep him from his love of cycling. “It was the one moment in time where I felt like I was free.” He could ride for one hour using two tanks.

“That's what caught my eye,” Amber said. “He was using oxygen while riding his bike, and that's how we started talking.” 

They caught the love bug at the height of the pandemic. Frank lived in New Orleans and Amber resided in Seattle. Frank started visiting Amber every six weeks. After eight or so visits, Frank proposed. They married on December 12, 2022.

“We knew going into our marriage that we were both in end-stage lung disease. We shared our fate and were well aware of our need for transplants,” Amber said.

Their marriage changed Frank’s view about having a second double lung transplant. “I  was okay with not going through with the second one, but when I met Amber, my whole perspective completely changed. And then I was willing to say, yes, and go through the second one,” he recalled.

It was a decision that saved his life. Because of the complexity of their cases, both Frank and Amber’s physicians both referred them to Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston. Transplant surgeon Ramiro Fernandez II, performed Frank’s “redo” double lung transplant. And not a moment too soon - Frank’s lung capacity had dwindled to just 15 percent. His recovery was difficult, and Amber was there to support him every step of the way. Gradually, he started feeling better and six months later, “I  woke up and I felt amazing,” he said. 

Now it was Amber’s turn. Two years after Frank received his new lungs, Amber received hers in a successful transplant operation at Baylor St. Luke’s in June of 2025.

"Every organ transplant carries risk, but with the care of our experienced team, Amber’s recovery was remarkably smooth,” said Dr. Gabriel Loor, surgical director of the lung transplant program at Baylor St. Luke’s and associate professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. “We’re honored to have helped her breathe freely again.”

Today, Amber and Frank are enjoying their active lives in New Orleans.

“I can walk, I can do anything that I want to do and not be out of breath right now just three months after my transplant. I can hardly fathom it being easier,” Amber explained.

The couple found it incredibly helpful to receive their lifesaving care at the same hospital, with many of the same medical staff. “A lot of the people that we had connected with on a weekly basis for Frank, are now helping me. It's very relational, and that's rewarding because they make you feel important and loved,” Amber said.

Just three months after her transplant surgery, Amber and Frank were riding bikes together, logging 10 miles just before this interview. They are both thankful for the miracle of life they received. “Our faith kept us strong through this whole process…prayers and our trust in God that He will carry us through,” Frank said.

“It's amazing,” Amber said. “We are so blessed. Every day we wake up and say, ‘Thank you, Lord, for this day and let's use it for something positive.’ ”