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Received 2 heart transplants at Mayo Clinic
My name is Michael. I am 44 years old. I have been blessed with receiving 2 heart transplants at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. I am glad to meet everyone.
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Dear Friends,
Our young son had a heart transplant two years ago. Sadly he had Giant Cell Myocarditis … A rare, aggressive disease that destroyed his own heart. The transplant has gone very well except the disease came back in his wonderful donors heart!
I had been living on the edge of life since! The anxiety was practically unbearable, except for Gods strength! There is some confusion as to how best treat now as there is no evidence base to advise the way forward.
Suffice to say his condition is being managed,,,the last treatment being a chemo drug for chronic leukaemia! Thank God it has worked and he has been well since. I was living with soo much uncertainty I couldn’t function.
My fear was ‘ could he survive another transplant if he needed/ could have one?
You have both answered my question. Especially Michael, bless you. God is good…his wonders to perform…We only know and experience so little here but when the Kingdom comes there will be know more tears or suffering.
Meanwhile we simply need to know we are loved and perfect love casts out all fear!
Take care, dear friends and once again thank you for sharing a part of your journey with me. Safe uncertainty and Trust in God is getting me through alongside my two new friends!
Much love
Linda
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1 ReactionLinda i will pray for your son. Transplant patients live on the edge of the abyss. Never truly knowing what tomorrow might bring.
Would love to hear it.
We shall be praying for you too
XXL
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1 Reaction@bsox1901, I would like to add my welcome. So glad that you connected with @linda59 and @rosemarya here. Your discussion will be welcome by others seeking support for heart transplant. You may also be interested in following some of the discussions in the Heart & Blood Health group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/heart-blood-vessel-conditions/ For example:
– Dilated Cardiomyopathy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dilated-cardiomyuopathy-meds/
– Coronary Artery Disease https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/im-a-46-year-old-female-who-had-recently-been-diagnosed-with/
Michael, what care must you take now to keep you and your heart healthy? How is your short-term memory now?
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1 ReactionHi there,
One of the major things that helped our son grow strong, healthy and fitter was a freestanding bike frame that he cycled on at home before he could even use his upper body much! It gave him confidence to grow a little healthier each day! Now he’s peddling 15 miles per day to work on an extremely hard terrain in the countryside!
Who knew this was possible 2 years on!!
Happy cycling folks
XxL
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3 ReactionsMichael, I have sent the Life Restored Poem to you via private email message.
I do not want to infringe on any copyrights. And I do not know the source to mention in credit. So I’m sending you a personal copy for your personal reflection.
Please let me know if you receive it.
Rosemary
I found the author.
The poem is from a book written by Joseph Kralicek in 2007. It is called “The Courage of One: The Inspirational Poetry of a Transplant Recipient”
I am still deeply moved by this message. My donor is always in my heart.
Rosemary
Yes I did get it. That was amazing. Thank you.