Athlete. Driven. Recovery

In 2007, Ralph Marziale was diagnosed with Scleroderma.

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder that causes a buildup of scar tissue on the skin and internal organs. Unfortunately, this disease attacked Ralph's lungs, causing Pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects arteries in the heart and lungs. The scarring blocks the lungs’ ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. The vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs become hard and narrow. Your heart must work extra hard to pump the blood through and your heart weakens and can develop failure. After approximately thirteen years of different treatments, Ralph's lungs would start to reject the medication and fail.

April 2020

Ralph had a series of lung collapses from April - August 2020. At this point, his Pulmonologist referred him to the transplant team at the hospital University of Pennsylvania. After being on the transplant list for only two weeks, his lungs were completely failing, so Ralph was med flighted to HUP. As soon as Ralph arrived, he was immediately placed on ECMO (full life support). Ralph underwent a seven-hour surgery and received his new lungs.

Today

Ralph's recovery has been extremely difficult. During his hospitalization of 8 months, he fought through the unthinkable. Ralph was on a feeding tube for 6 months, which was the result of his autoimmune disorder. He fought sepsis and went into cardiac arrest. He fought COVID and pneumonia multiple times and was on a ventilator for 3 months. Ralph had to learn how to talk again and because of being in bed for so long, he developed myopathy and neuropathy. It has been a long journey of healing and will continue to be. Ralph's body was weak and fatigued, and nerve and muscle damage can take months to heal but as of today, Ralph is working hard to regain all that this has taken away from him.

Athlete. Driven. Recovery.

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