The key points are temporarily unavailable. You can still read the full Story below.
Main Points
Queen Mette‑Marit, who underwent a lung transplant in the summer, has been seen publicly on several occasions but will now reduce her official appearances to allow further rehabilitation. The Royal House announced on a Wednesday that the queen “is still in rehabilitation after the lung transplant and will, in principle, not have an official programme until next summer.” The statement followed her discharge from the National Hospital on 14 July, when she was still the Crown Princess. During King Harald’s illness and funeral she had attended several events, but she has also had to cancel or postpone plans for health reasons. Experts say that recovery after a lung transplant can take up to a year. “The first year after a transplant is a rehabilitation phase,” said Marthe Gundersen, a health‑care adviser for lung disease at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. “Some patients have a relatively uncomplicated course, while others need additional investigations and medication adjustments.” Gundersen cautioned that brief public appearances should not be taken as a definitive sign of health, noting that “we do not know how much energy the queen expended or how she was feeling the day before or after an event.” Lung specialist Olav Kåre Refvem, former chief physician at Oslo University Hospital and the National Hospital, praised the queen’s early return to public life. “I am impressed,” he told VG. “She has performed in front of tens of thousands and an international press corps in a very early rehabilitation phase, which is more than one could expect in such a situation.” Refvem added that the body must still adapt to the new lungs, that the transplant must “grow” and that the immune system is in a constant state of alert. “The immunosuppressive drugs are necessary because the body may try to reject the new lungs,” he explained. “They can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and cough, and if the immune reaction is strong, the treatment may need to be intensified. When the reaction is under control, doctors try to reduce the dose to the lowest level that still protects the lungs.” He warned that the more the immune system is suppressed, the greater the risk of infections. Aleksander Sekowski, information chief at the Organdonation Foundation, highlighted the heightened infection risk during the flu season. “Many transplant recipients follow a hygiene regime similar to what we all experienced during the COVID‑19 pandemic,” he said. “It is not the shop, restaurant or bus that is dangerous, but close contact with sick people.” Gundersen agreed that maintaining hand hygiene and avoiding exposure to sick individuals are essential. Rehabilitation after a lung transplant typically involves gradual physical activity, strength and endurance training, and learning to manage the new medication regimen. The process can take six to twelve months, but the exact timeline varies. “There is no fixed date for when a patient is ‘in shape,’” Gundersen said. “Some recover quickly, while others may take longer.” After the first year, follow‑up appointments are scheduled every three to six months, with at least one annual visit to the National Hospital in Norway. Long‑term monitoring continues for life, with regular tests and medication adjustments. Experts also noted that the psychological impact of a transplant can be significant. “Both body and mind are affected,” said Sekowski. “The most serious side effects can include cancer, organ failure, poor sleep and nightmares.” Gundersen emphasized that the goal is not only to keep the new lungs functioning but also to enable the patient to live as fully as possible within their new limits. “For some, that means spending time with grandchildren; for others, it could be running a marathon or returning to work,” he said. As the first anniversary of Queen Mette‑Marit’s transplant approaches next summer, the Royal House will likely continue to monitor her recovery closely, balancing her public duties with the medical and personal adjustments required after such a major operation. Article source: Verdens Gang | Image credit: Verdens Gang
Queen Mette‑Marit, who underwent a lung transplant in the summer, has been seen publicly on several occasions but will now reduce her official appearances to allow further rehabilitation. The Royal House announced on a Wednesday that the queen “is still in rehabilitation after the lung transplant and will, in principle, not have an official programme until next summer.” The statement followed her discharge from the National Hospital on 14 July, when she was still the Crown Princess. During King Harald’s illness and funeral she had attended several events, but she has also had to cancel or postpone plans for health reasons. Experts say that recovery after a lung transplant can take up to a year. “The first year after a transplant is a rehabilitation phase,” said Marthe Gundersen, a health‑care adviser for lung disease at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. “Some patients have a relatively uncomplicated course, while others need additional investigations and medication adjustments.” Gundersen cautioned that brief public appearances should not be taken as a definitive sign of health, noting that “we do not know how much energy the queen expended or how she was feeling the day before or after an event.” Lung specialist Olav Kåre Refvem, former chief physician at Oslo University Hospital and the National Hospital, praised the queen’s early return to public life. “I am impressed,” he told VG. “She has performed in front of tens of thousands and an international press corps in a very early rehabilitation phase, which is more than one could expect in such a situation.” Refvem added that the body must still adapt to the new lungs, that the transplant must “grow” and that the immune system is in a constant state of alert. “The immunosuppressive drugs are necessary because the body may try to reject the new lungs,” he explained. “They can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and cough, and if the immune reaction is strong, the treatment may need to be intensified. When the reaction is under control, doctors try to reduce the dose to the lowest level that still protects the lungs.” He warned that the more the immune system is suppressed, the greater the risk of infections. Aleksander Sekowski, information chief at the Organdonation Foundation, highlighted the heightened infection risk during the flu season. “Many transplant recipients follow a hygiene regime similar to what we all experienced during the COVID‑19 pandemic,” he said. “It is not the shop, restaurant or bus that is dangerous, but close contact with sick people.” Gundersen agreed that maintaining hand hygiene and avoiding exposure to sick individuals are essential. Rehabilitation after a lung transplant typically involves gradual physical activity, strength and endurance training, and learning to manage the new medication regimen. The process can take six to twelve months, but the exact timeline varies. “There is no fixed date for when a patient is ‘in shape,’” Gundersen said. “Some recover quickly, while others may take longer.” After the first year, follow‑up appointments are scheduled every three to six months, with at least one annual visit to the National Hospital in Norway. Long‑term monitoring continues for life, with regular tests and medication adjustments. Experts also noted that the psychological impact of a transplant can be significant. “Both body and mind are affected,” said Sekowski. “The most serious side effects can include cancer, organ failure, poor sleep and nightmares.” Gundersen emphasized that the goal is not only to keep the new lungs functioning but also to enable the patient to live as fully as possible within their new limits. “For some, that means spending time with grandchildren; for others, it could be running a marathon or returning to work,” he said. As the first anniversary of Queen Mette‑Marit’s transplant approaches next summer, the Royal House will likely continue to monitor her recovery closely, balancing her public duties with the medical and personal adjustments required after such a major operation.
News Desk is the editorial publishing account for Tringlobe Media News, covering breaking news, public affairs, entertainment, community developments and regional stories across Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally.
