Plano Man Living With Deadly Condition Thankful To See Another Holiday
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PLANO (CBSDFW.COM) - The fact that a Plano man is alive to celebrate this holiday season, is a wonder to his doctors and others who suffer from the same deadly disease.
Every step and every breath Bill Vick takes is one more than he should.
"I'm grateful to be alive," said Bill Vick.
The 76-year-old has pulmonary fibrosis, a deadly diagnosis for 200,000 people each year.
"My doctor at that time told me I'd be on oxygen within six months."
Vick was a competitive athlete when he was given three years to live.
" I was actually training for sprint triathlon."
But three years later, he's considered a medical miracle.
"I'm probably the only one out of 200,000 patients I can't tell you why," explained Vick.
Former Plano Mayor Jeran Akers survived the disease the only way anyone ever has, with a double lung transplant.
Vick is the first know patient to avoid that.
"He's the first one I've ever heard that's done that," marveled Mayor Akers.
Vick credits exercise, diet and prayer among the reasons for his otherwise unexplainable survival that will allow him to celebrate his 51st anniversary with his wife.
"Particularly this time of year at Thanksgiving we don't realize all the things we have to be thankful for and I'm thankful for every day I can sit in the sunshine," said Vick.
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