Lincoln-Way Teen Takes Next Big Steps after Double Lung Transplant

Rachel Sweet was just as jittery as her fellow Lincoln-Way West graduates on Tuesday night.

But the 18-year-old from Mokena was calmed by a sense of accomplishment perhaps unmatched in her peers. Just more than a year prior to graduation, Sweet received a double lung transplant that would change her life, one that previously had been spent confined to her home or shuttling to doctor’s appointments.

“I was determined to not let my transplant interfere with me graduating with my class that I started with,” Sweet said. “All my teachers, friends, family, supporters were there and it was nice for them all to see me complete this important chapter in my life.”

At 4 years old, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs and fills them with fluid, making even the simplest tasks and experiences difficult, or even impossible. Her first three years at Lincoln Way West were spent being tutored at home.

“[It was] very hard to do anything, especially breathe,” Sweet said. “I couldn’t go out with friends and do normal teenage things like go to the mall, go to school, go out and see friends (they all had to come see me at home).”

In March 2014, Sweet underwent a transplant at Loyola Hospital.

“Now I can’t sit still,” she said. “I’m always wanting to get up and do things. I get up in the morning ready to go. I’m always trying to find things to do and things I’ve never done before because of my breathing.”

She sat in the stands at football games and danced at her senior prom, all topped by the chance to walk across the stage to receive her diploma. TV news camera crews were waiting to interview Sweet after her big moment, and the teen met them with undaunted self-assurance.

“My breathing is so much better. I can do things and I don’t have to think twice about if it’s going to be too much work on my lungs for me to endure.”

This summer Sweet will spend some time relaxing, including bon fires, pool parties, and other group events to send her friends off to college. She will begin classes in accounting at Joliet Junior College in the fall, with hopes to transfer to Arizona State University—her dream school.

And she plans to rediscover another of her passions.

“I’ve always wanted to do one of those color runs, bubble runs or fun runs,” Sweet said. “They sound fun to do and you do it for fun. I’d find friends to come with and we’d just run as much as we can and enjoy the experience.

“I haven’t ran for 5 years now. It’d be nice to get back at it.”

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