Health, Doctors and Common Sense

Breathing didn't come too easily for Tim Pfeifer before his double lung transplant in September.

Tim Pfeifer, right, jokes with his mother, Ellie, at home in Elk Grove. The 18-year-old, who got an ovation from his Christian Brothers High School classmates at graduation last month, next plans to study accounting at Sacramento State, which could prove useful in a business he started with his father. He also wants to get a summer job and move out on his own.

Tim Pfeifer got new lungs in a September surgery.

Holding medications in one hand, Tim Pfeifer throws a toy for his dogs. He faces more health problems since his lung transplant: diabetes and – because of the anti-rejection drugs he takes – a type of cancer known as post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease.

Tags: Accounting, Commencement, Diabetes, Double Lung Transplant, Elk Grove, Graduation, Health Problems, High School Classmates, Jokes, Lungs, Medications, Mother Ellie, Ovation, Pfeifer, Rejection, Sacramento State, Summer Job, Toy Dogs, Type Of Cancer, X96