SAN DIEGO -- A man with cystic fibrosis got a double-lung transplant and is living disease free, 10News reported.

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Double-Lung Transplant Saves Man's Life

Federico Caram, (pictured, left), battled cystic fibrosis for all of his life. However, a couple of months ago, his life changed after he received new lungs.

"I had to buy an oxygen tank ," Caram said.

Because he was suffering from cystic fibrosis, Caram's lungs were clogged with mucus.

Imagine breathing through a straw 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- that is exactly how Caram felt every time he took a breath, according to 10News.

"I (needed) to fight to live once again," Caram said.

Most cystic fibrosis patients don't live past age 30 -- Caram is 37.

"He probably would not have made it for another year," said Dr. Gordon Yung, a transplant specialist at University of California, San Diego.

Caram's only hope was a double-lung transplant. Caram and his wife, Leticia, traveled from their home in Cancun to San Diego and waited for donor organs to become available.

"He was only able to walk about 150 feet on level ground and he finally really got short of breath," Yung said.

On the couple's 10th wedding anniversary, Caram got a call that he was getting a transplant.

Caram got a second chance at life after surgeons at UCSD transplanted a pair of donor lungs into him.

"I am very happy, very grateful," Caram said.

"He was fortunate to get an organ because we don't have enough organs," Yung said.

Three months after the surgery, Caram is breathing easier.

Yung said because Caram has new lungs, his cystic fibrosis is cured.

"I have a lot of energy. I can't sleep because I have a lot of energy," Caram said.

Caram is making the best of his new gift. He cherishes every breath and every step he takes with his wife.

"Whenever we go walking, he really gets me tired because he walks so fast," Leticia Caram said.

Federico Caram now has the stamina to play his guitar for hours and makes the most of every new minute.

"There's no time to sleep right now," Caram said.

Doctors said Caram's recovery is remarkable so soon after his transplant surgery. UCSD doctors perform 20 to 30 lung transplants a year -- half of those are double-lung transplants. More than 120 patients are currently on UCSD's waiting list for this lifesaving surgery.