Will newheart@snowcrest.net Red Bluff, California age 65 two sons, David and Steve

My Health

I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in January of 1988, caused by a virus. Like many of you, I had never heard of such a thing before. I was not allowed to do any lifting over 30 pounds and had to exercise in moderation and generally slow down in everything I did. My wife and family were very supportive, although it was difficult sometimes to understand why dad just pooped out.
     My wife had a day care in our home and I made myself useful by helping out; shopping and so forth. We retired from day care and moved from San Jose to Red Bluff, California, in June of 1990. I spent many a day and night in hospitals. One weekend, a relief doctor checked me out and said, "My advice to you is, get on the transplant list or make your peace with your Maker!" I had been told for many years that I would eventually have to have a transplant.
     One day in May of 1994, my wife and I were puttering around in our yard when I felt pretty funny. I sat down and rested for awhile but that didn't help. We had dinner and finally I said I thought I had better go to an emergency room. When we arrived, they took me right in. The doctor checked me out and gave orders to give me some kind of medicine. I knew I was in real trouble when the doctor did not leave to check on other patients but stayed right there. I was admitted to the hospital with my heart rate of 140 to 180 bpm. I was in the hospital for 7 days, without the doctors being able to reduce the heart rate. They air mailed me to the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. I was there for another 7 days. In the meantime they were able to reeduce my heart rate and also evaluated me for a transplant.
     I was able to go home with many medications to keep me going. On November 11, 1996, I had lost 16 pounds in 2 weeks, had no energy and had no appetite. My son took me to San Francisco to have a right heart catherization to determine exactly what was going on. When the doctor examined me, she said I would be admitted and would stay until I received a new heart. I was lucky in that I only waited about 6 weeks. On December 19, 1996, 2 nurses came in and woke me up at 5:00 AM and told me they had a heart for me. That day became my second birthday, as well as a great Christmas present for me and my loved ones.
     After the operation, which took only 4 hours (very quick for a transplant operation), my wife was surprised to see me the next morning, sitting up eating jello. The surgeon, Dr. Hill, told my wife it was a very good match, one of the best he had ever seen. Any one of you who is considering the possiblity of having a transplant need to consider the alternative. Not a lot of choice, is there? One of the most difficult things for me was to realize was that in order for me to live, someone else had to lose their life. I only hope that I can be worthy of the sacrifice made. I guess the good Lord is not finished with me yet. I am very grateful to those who, suffering due to their loss, were willing to help those in need. Thanks are not enough, but that's about all I can say.
     I am back to doing many things I did before, my woodworking hobby, and much more energy. I am enjoying life once more. I guess I've rambled on enough.

My Job

I worked for many years in roller and ice skate rink management in California. I later worked for a company that supplied anything you might want, from blueprints to build a rink to retail sales items. My main job was to build roller skates. I was always active, sometimes roller skating, on the job 10-14 hours a day. Luckily, that happened to be my favorite sport and exercise. When something would go wrong with our home; plumbing, electical, or whatever, I was able to fix it. After I was diagnosed, I had to retire. On April 21, 2000, I passed my third annual heart exam after having my heart transplant with flying colors. I'm doing great!

My Meds

Talk To Me!

If any one would like to contact me, I would be happy to answer any questions that I can. Remember, I am not a doctor, only a patient, so don't ask me medical questions I know nothing about. I can't afford to be sued for practising medicine without a license. <g> I have a web site that you can visit at http://www.snowcrest.net/newheart/index2.html. Good health to all.

Update Update Update Update

August 15, 2000 - My latest biopsy was on August 10. The results showed zero rejection! They changed a couple of my meds, reflected in the meds table above.

  Will -- October 18, 1997

All information on this site is opinion only. All concepts, explanations, trials, and studies have been re-written in plain English and may contain errors. No one here is a doctor. No information on this page should be used by any person to affect their medical, legal, educational, social, or psychological treatment in any way. This web site and all its pages copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Jon C.