Heartbreak as mother-of-two Emily Presley dies after 18 weeks on a ventilator and a DOUBLE lung transplant after going for routine check up for a cold... and finding she was dying from horror disease

Emily Presley, 46, went to the doctor in May of 2022 with cold-like symptoms . Her husband said before that, she was a 'picture of health' who rarely got sick

A woman from Kentucky believed she was going to see the doctor about a cold but received a diagnosis of an infection that led to a 16-month hospital stay and claimed her life.

At 46, Teacher Emily Presley visited the doctor in May of 2022 due to symptoms resembling a cold. Her husband mentioned that before this, she was typically healthy and rarely fell ill.

Emily spent her time impacting her students and the staff at Wellington Elementary in Lexington, Kentucky, - as well as in her own family - before she fell ill

Following the development of a severe infection, she was hospitalized and spent four months connected to an advanced ventilator that supported her heart and lungs.

Presley later faced challenges such as lung infections and a viral condition causing widespread inflammation in her body. In October 2022, she underwent two double lung transplants in quick succession.

Jeff Presley, her husband, shared with the Lexington Herald-Leader, 'Time after time she defied the odds. Who could possibly overcome such a trial? Emily.'

In October 2022, she had to go through a pair of double lung transplants within days of each other

Despite her tenacity, Emily's body succumbed to the illness, and she passed away recently. Before falling ill, Emily made a positive impact on her students and colleagues at Wellington Elementary in Lexington, Kentucky, as well as within her own family.

On May 22, 2022, while initially presumed to have a cold, Emily was rushed to the hospital as her blood pressure dropped, heart rate rose, and oxygen levels fell. She was sedated and placed in a medically induced coma.

While she had plans to return to teaching, her health took a turn for the worse again

As her condition did not improve, she was transferred to another hospital due to inadequate oxygenation by her lungs. Following her first lung transplant, her body reacted negatively, leading to the recommendation of removing the new lungs and listing her for another transplant.

Jeff Presley expressed, 'I told the medical team that Emily and I cherish our life together, our friends, and our community. So, if there's a chance for her to survive and enjoy a good quality of life, then the answer to a second transplant is "yes."'

Within a day, she received another matching donor, and the second transplant was successful, allowing her to return home for Thanksgiving in 2023.

After her second lung transplant, she was able to go home and spend Thanksgiving at home with her family

Jeff added, 'In the midst of agony...there was no defeat. Instead, the nurses, doctors, therapists would see a smile, hear "thank you," get inspired, and share stories about this amazing, powerful, wonderful, gracious woman of God who wouldn’t give up.'

She spent Thanksgiving with her husband and children, expressing gratitude for being home and with her loved ones.

Despite plans to resume teaching, her health deteriorated once more. Her family confirmed her passing at around 4 am on Tuesday morning, surrounded by loved ones.