Welling woman defies all medical odds to dance her way back to full health

Janice Campbell, 66, of The Green, was diagnosed with emphysema when she was 37 years-old and suffered with the progressive illness for more than that 24 years while she waited for a lung donor.

66-year-old Janice Campbell knows how to dance

To make matters worse, after waiting five years on the transplant list for a match, the mum-of-two was given a 10-20 per cent chance that she would live through the operation. 

Speaking to News Shopper, Mrs Campbell said: “The worst feeling in the world is getting the phone call.

“I was living on my nerves before the operation.

“Being told I had emphysema was quite a blow.

“I sort of, wasn’t living.

“It was like watching people living, but not actually living myself.

“When I was walking, trying to get onto a train, I couldn’t catch my breath.

“After my operation I literally had to learn to walk again - I couldn’t stand.”

The chronic disease, which severely restricts your breathing, was most likely brought about by Mrs Campbell’s smoking habit that she maintained through most of her working life at a Japanese bank.

Daughter Tina introduced her mum to the dance-fitness exercise and now can't keep up with the pace

Her daughter Tina Campbell, 32, said: “All my life I had seen my mum in and out of hospital since I was two years old.

“Even the nurses were shocked by her physical fitness.

“They did not think she would live in to the age of 60.

“She was scared of going out.”

In spite of the marginal odds, Mrs Campbell pulled through the dangerous operation and wants others to know about the importance of organ donors and her surprising love for the South American fitness dance Zumba.

“There is a need for donors,” she said, “I’m very thankful for my donor.

“I’m very sad for them but without them, I would be dead.

“Throughout death, life can continue.”

Mrs Campbell sharing a slow dance with Zumba founder Beto Perez

Her philosophy of life now continues through dance and as part of her physio, the light-footed dancer spends 45 minutes a day practicing the workout art form.

Mrs Campbell said: “They said I needed to exercise and I have been been one to go to the gym.

“I always loved to dance but couldn’t.

“With Zumba, anyone can do it.

With her second lease of life Mrs Campbell has been relishing every opportunity, going to Take That and Steps concerts with her family, as well as meeting up with Zumba founder Beto Perez who described the Welling mum’s story as “an inspiration.”