I was born with cyanotic congenital heart disease meaning I was blue in color, with ASD (a hole between the chambers), VSD (abnormal communication between pumping chambers), transposition of the great vessels (the aorta and pulmonary artery were misplaced) and pulmonary stenosis (restricted blood flow to the lungs.  In 1990, I was told that the only hope for survival would be a heart/lung transplant. In January 1999, 9 years later after lots of hope and prayer, I knew that I was not getting better and agreed to a transplant.  I was declining rapidly.

                                                                                                                                                                                   I could not walk through the house, wash my hair, or take care of my family. On October 8, 1999 my coordinator Karen Neylor called, she said “we might have a donor for you”. The transplant took place from 7:00am until 12:00 noon.  My husband saw me at 2:00pm that afternoon.  The first things I remember when waking up in recovery was my husband saying you are beautiful and PINK.  My fingernails and lips had already turned pink.  I was up in just a couple of days. I still had 2 of 8 chest tubes, a paralyzed diaphragm and was in pain.  But, I also had a new heart and two new lungs. 

I’m learning patience and realizing how special life is and it should not be taken for granted   I am extremely grateful to the donor family who in their grief made the decision to give the incredible “gift of life” to someone like me.   I pray God will bring peace, courage and strength to their families. Above all I thank God; he continues to allow me to stay with all of the people whom I love dearly.  My prayer is that everyone would consider being an organ donor.  After all, Heaven doesn’t need your organs, just your soul!

If someone you loved needed an organ to survive, it would change your whole outlook on organ donation. I have been a member of the Heart Exchange since 2000, and served four years as President.