Paul's Heart

Jessica – Marching To A New “Beat”

I was messaged last evening, Jessica (from last post) underwent a heart transplant yesterday, had a good night recovering, and is now awake and talking. To say this is exciting and welcomed news is an understatement. What has just happened will have a major impact for all, not just those in Jessica’s life.

To understand where Jessica started from, she is a 4 time cancer survivor. That should be enough of a medical wonder. Similar to me, treatments that she received for her treatment of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, caused long term damage to her heart over the decades requiring her to have a heart surgery to replace one of her valves.

Now, I will stop there for a moment. In my lifetime as a long term survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma myself, dealing with multiple cardiac issues, one thing I am more than aware of over the decades, many of my fellow long term survivors find themselves in need of a heart transplant. But because of the various damage we deal with, and the complications that can arise, we are less than ideal candidates for a heart transplant. After all, doctors do not want to “waste” (I hate using that word in this case) a donated organ, on someone who is not likely to survive. And so, in the hundreds of people I have come across in my survivorship, I have never heard of anyone having a heart transplant, and only a few actually qualify, only to succumb prior to the surgery for one complication or another. One important side not, I do know a doctor who is aware of two survivors who have gone through a heart transplant successfully, but I am unaware of who they are. But Jessica makes the first person I, and many other survivors know, and personally know, to now have undergone a heart transplant.

Post-transplant will be no cakewalk. She will be observed for several days for any complications as she recovers. And then, they will likely start to get her moving. There will be a major part of her recovery that will require help, emotionally. Many open heart surgery patients, myself included, will mention the emotional struggles of surviving a near fatal event and surgery. And then of course there will be cardiac and physical rehab.

Many of us hope that she gets strong enough, and well enough to go home in time for Christmas. It is a lot to ask, but Jessica is a very strong willed woman. She will have to adjust to a lot once she is released from the hospital and no doubt, with so many eyes on her (other survivors), she will have plenty of support. There are so many questions we have, and they will wait until she is ready to answer them.

Whether you believe in miracles or any other positive energy, today is a great day!

A Miracle For Jessica

I first wrote about Jessica over four years ago, well actually, I gave her a guest post. She is a long term survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, except longer in terms of years, as well as much younger than I was when I faced it. You can see that post at this link:

Unfortunately, early last month, Jessica suffered a massive heart attack. Her heart, compromised from late effects from her treatments (same situation as mine), without warning, caused a near fatal, actually at times, fatal, event. Doctors did everything they could to save her. And they did. But it left her in a situation that will call for just one more miracle. She must have a heart transplant to survive.

That moment will come tomorrow. A donor has been found, and Jessica will be given that literal second chance at life, from the gift of life, a heart transplant.

So I ask all my followers of Paul’s Heart, whether you pray or believe in positive vibes and thoughts, to send everything you have her way this evening, and tomorrow, and for the entire transplant team to protect and guide their hands, minds, and skills as they save Jessica’s life tomorrow, so that she can return home to her two sons.