Bethany Bibb’s long awaited double lung transplant is completed.

“She is doing fine,” Elizabeth Bibb, her mother, said. “She is breathing on her own.”

Bethany has been at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus since Aug. 2. On Nov. 6, Bethany finally received her double lung transplant. She spent five and a half months in the hospital.

“She is able to do everything now,” Elizabeth said. “She can talk. She is able to breath now. Before she had no lung function.”

Bethany is taking medication for her stomach and medication to keep her body from rejecting the lungs. If Bethany takes care of her lungs, she shouldn’t have any immediate problems with them getting infected.

“She has to take her medication,” Elizabeth said. “She can’t be around people that are sick. If she gets sick, she has to get treatment immediately. She has regular doctor appointments and blood work.”

Bethany is undergoing pulmonary treatment twice a week.

“She is still weak,” Elizabeth said. “She gets out some, goes to church and sees her friends. She is taking everything one day at a time.”

Since the age of three, Bethany has been battling cystic fibrosis (CF). CF affects different parts of the body, mostly places with mucus membranes. Mucus keeps the body moist and lubricated. CF thickens the mucus, making it hard for the bacteria to escape, which starts causing infections. Some people encounter lung problems, some encounter diabetes and some people have stomach issues. Bethany has dealt with lung and stomach issues, Elizabeth said.

The family thanked the community for its support. The community supported the Bibbs with donations, love and prayers. The family also thanked the New Jerusalem Christian Center and all of the churches in the area.

“We would like to give a special thanks to Bethany’s Buddies,” Elizabeth said.

Bethany’s Buddies is a grassroots community group that organized fundraisers raised more than $37,000.

“They brought the fundraisers together,” Elizabeth said. “They did everything that needed to be done, so the family could concentrate on getting Bethany well.”