By Kylie Capps ’14 | Staff Writer

After years of struggling with heart issues, Alex Peabody ’16 received a double heart and lung transplant in May of 2013, at the age of 15. Now, over a year later, the Tower asks Peabody on his current condition.

Q: What is the state of your health? Has anything changed since the story about you was published?

A: Yes. My health was going well through the winter then in March I had an allergic reaction. At first they weren’t sure if it was an infection or an allergic reaction, so they put me on a bunch of antibiotics to make sure it wasn’t an infection. Because of the allergic reaction my lung function went from 110 percent (expected) to 50 percent. I was having a lot of trouble breathing and was coughing up mucus, so it was hard to get around.

Q: How did the doctors respond to the problem?

A: They did three biopsies, one regular, one through my trachea and then they had to do one in the back in between my ribs, so they could get a bigger chunk to make sure it wasn’t any type of rejection. (They concluded) it wasn’t any type of rejection just a severe allergic reaction, but they still don’t know what it was from. They raised (the dose of) one of the medicines I am already on, but it suppresses my immune system even more, which is why I have to wear the mask. But the medicine also lowers the inflammatory response, which helps it go back to normal.

Q: Do you have to wear a mask everywhere you go?

A: No, just in really crowded areas like school.

Q: Why does your weight fluctuate?

A: The steroids make me fluctuate weight, which also messes with my blood sugar.

Q: Does the weight fluctuation bother you or is it uncomfortable? Will it continue to fluctuate?

A: It doesn’t bother me too much. When they lower my medicine it will become more stable.

Q: What activities have you been doing?

A: I have been riding my bike and walking my dogs a lot.

Q: What do you plan to do this summer?

A: This summer I am going to Europe with an orchestra for a month. My parents are going to be there at the same time to check up on me.

Q: Explain your Instagram video, why did you want to do that?

A: I wasn’t sure if people felt comfortable asking questions and I wanted them to feel comfortable. I just wanted to let them know I am open to answer anything.