Keith Childerhose may soon have a new lease on life, but it's been a tough journey.

Childerhose underwent a 10-hour double lung transplant at Toronto General Hospital on Tuesday.

His wife Sarah said she's "elated" and relieved the operation was a success.

Childerhose, 41, has had a rare lung disease all his life but his condition took a turn for the worse two weeks ago.

His wife Sarah Taylor took to Facebook, Twitter and her blog to raise awareness about organ donations and to help find him a donor. The Facebook page has nearly 2,000 'likes.'

There are currently 83 people in Ontario waiting for a double lung transplant.

Childerhose had been on the list since October.

While surgeons were still performing the life-saving surgery Taylor took to Facebook once again to thank everyone.

"Thank you for all your wishes, prayers and wonderful messages," she wrote.

Taylor and the doctors say Childerhose may be well enough to talk about his surgery later this week.