A University of Central Florida student is recovering from her second lung transplant and will be able to go home from the hospital to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family.

Jordan McCaskill, 20, suffers from cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disease that causes lung infections and damages the lungs and digestive system. 

Two years ago, McCaskill underwent a life-saving lung transplant. In May, her body rejected the new lungs, and in September, McCaskill found herself in a critical situation: undergo another lung transplant or die.

In October, McCaskill underwent a second lung transplant at Florida Hospital Orlando, where she has been recovering.

On Monday, she and her doctors, heart and thoracic surgeon Dr. Duane Davis and pulmonologist Dr. Cynthia Gries, spoke to the media about her recovery and life-saving surgery.

“I’m thankful for both my donors and both my doctors. They believed in me and they took a chance when a lot of people wouldn’t, so I’m very thankful for them,” McCaskill said.

McCaskill said she is looking forward to sleeping in her own bed for the first time in two months and returning to classes at UCF, where she is a junior majoring in English and creative writing.

McCaskill has been sharing her experience on her blog, “With Every Breath: My Life with Cystic Fibrosis.“

McCaskill following her surgery in October. (Florida Hospital Orlando)