Rose

Organ donation affects me greatly, in the way that I would not be here today if it wasn’t for my heart transplant that I received in November 2019. At the time, I was only 19yrs old, and the 2 years leading up to 2019 had become drastically different for me. I knew that my body was weakening and giving out on me, quite literally – I could feel it. 

At age 12, I was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart disease and knew that at some point I would need a transplant. I was lucky that my heart could hold out for as long as it did, but as I got older and more time passed, my heart required more strength and energy to keep me alive. From 2017 to 2019, my health took a great decline. I missed a lot of time in my last 2 years of high school, along with social opportunities and experiences with friends because my body was too weak to handle it.

As my heart failure progressed – I was listed and put on home I.V. medication to keep me from long term hospitalization. 

November 13th, 2019 was a day of new life for me.

I had been woken out of my sleep that morning, receiving THAT call. 

I feel eternally grateful for the care I received through Norton Children’s as well as support from KODA – I was only listed for 4 months before receiving my transplant – I was expected to wait 2 years initially. I was able to get a picture of what my heart looked like after being removed – I was not making it 2 more years.

I was in quarantine at home for about 5-6 months, spending ALOT of time resting, hanging out with my grandparents, picking up hobbies however I could, and the occasional bout of any safe, menacing activities I could get up to.

I enrolled in Community College and shortly after that we were in a pandemic – which we all have our stories about.

I am almost 5 years post transplant and there is not a day that goes by that I’m not excited to share my story or show gratitude as a recipient. I’ve been able to immerse myself in work that I’m passionate about and find opportunities for new passions that years ago I was only dreaming about. I recently just started a new job as well as celebrated my 24th birthday.

I’ve had no rejection for 5 years!! 

Being a heart transplant recipient is my favorite fun fact about myself and really – a gift that keeps giving. 

Because of another’s loved one, I am able to still be here, living. I hope that as I continue through life, my  gratitude remains loud. It’s not said lightly, nor is it corny, but being an organ donor is quite literally heroic. My goal is to embody that heroism as I continue through life.