A lot went on during our trip out west. Things I wasn’t at liberty to talk about at the time but I’ve since gotten permission to share. I haven’t told you a lot of things so I’ll go back in time to catch you up. Three years ago, we went to Colorado in September for my brother’s 70th birthday party. Hubby #2 was there with his wife because we’re all still family and we love each other. I noticed his ankles were really swollen. The first thought that came to mind was, “Something’s wrong with his heart.” I’ve worked in medicine much of my life…I know some things.
A few months later, he called me to tell me he had a genetic abnormality that caused an enzyme secreted by the liver to harden his heart. There is no cure. There was only one option at the time and that was a medication. It wouldn’t cure the problem, but it could extend his life by a couple of years. The only thing was, the medicine was $125,000 a year. Big Pharma had the corner on the market for people with this very rare condition. We all prayed for him and the gears turned quickly. He was able to get the medication but it was still $1500 a month out of pocket. I’m just grateful he could afford the drug…too, too many cannot.
The medication did its thing and Hubby #2 indeed had a pretty good couple of years. Till he didn’t. He had an elective surgery then things went downhill quickly. The day we left for our trip to Colorado, I got three calls. My brother was on his way to the ER with chest pain, elevated pulse, and his blood pressure was dropping. My son-in-law’s parents came down with covid. AND, my second husband was being admitted to the hospital for IV medication to get some of the excess fluid out of his body.
The trip didn’t get started on the right foot.
Fortunately, my brother was fine. He just needed some fluids. We made other arrangements to give Ben and Sue time to get over Covid. But there was still no improvement with Hubby #2. He was told the medicine wasn’t working anymore and the only option left was a heart transplant. He called me again to let me know he had lived a good life…he was ready to go. There are three genetic mutations that could cause his disease. Two with bad news…one with good. He thought his genetic mutation was one of the bad ones. That meant, even if he went ahead and got a transplant, the enzyme would harden the new heart and he’d be in the same position in two more years. He didn’t want to get a heart that could truly help someone if he was just going to die anyway in a relatively short time.
Twenty-four hours later, the entire situation changed. It turned out Hubby #2 had the wild gene…the good one. They were transferring him to Denver for an intensive three days of testing to see if he was a good candidate for a transplant. He told me he was so scared. I told him, “Listen…you’re a doctor. You know you get all the facts first then make a decision. Go. Get the testing. If you aren’t up for it, we’re behind you 100%. Nobody is going to hate you for your decision. If you decide to get the transplant, we’ll be right there making sure you have everything you need. We’ve got you. God’s got you.”
His is a story of courage, bravery, and faith. Hubby #2 went on a rocky ride tangling with these three character traits when he looked death in the face. He had excellent mentors to counsel him on his walk. And he has a wife of strong faith to encourage him, to stand beside him and love him through all of this. He had a successful transplant on July 3rd…the day we got to Ben and Sue’s house. Counting the time before he was transferred to Denver, he spent eight weeks in the hospital. He was discharged from the hospital the day we left Colorado to come home. He still has to stay in Denver till three months after the surgery before he can go to his own house.
I’m so proud of him. It took incredible strength to do what he did. And, I’m so happy for him. My heart breaks for the family who lost a loved one in order to save one of our own. I hope they find comfort knowing there are lives out there saved by their selfless and beautiful gift. I am forever grateful my children didn’t lose their dad and there wasn’t another widow among the ranks.
God’s hand was on this situation from the beginning.
Please, if you can…become a donor so you can help others have the chance to live better lives. It means the whole world to the recipients.
💖
“Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.”
Proverbs 27:19 MSG
#hearttransplant, #heartdisease, #family, #courage, #strength, #bravery, #faith