Hi all, I haven't posted in a while but I still follow the thread every day.On the 26th of July it was the third anniversary of my transplant, always an emotional day thinking of the donor family.
When I think back over the last three years it has been quite a journey an amazing one. From lying in hospital on the urgent list during lock down with no family to visit to last week when I was in Italy with my partner having a lovely holiday. I was at my fantastic transplant hospital yesterday it's the only one in Scotland, for an echo and on return to the clinic my brilliant consultant could not keep the smile off his face as he checked the scan, every thing is bang on including blood pressure needless to say I am absolutely delighted as it's always a worry when clinic time comes along, every 6 months. I also met a fellow patient he was only 27 and he got his transplant same time as me he is doing brilliant as well he is a proud parent of two young boys now. I wish my heart hospital could help with the osteoporosis, athritis and hernia but I suppose that would be a bit greedy 😅if anyone who is listed or about to be please don't hesitate to contact me if there is anything you want to ask that I might be able to help you with. Take care char
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So great to see such a positive post! Well done for making it through these last 3 years and showing others there is still hope for those that may need a heart transplant in their future.
Looking amazing by the way!
All the best for a continued successful and happy health journey.
Thank you so much for your reply, I won't deny it it was hard at the beginning but I could not have been in better hands, my cardiology team are amazing. Char
Thank you for your kind words, I was just so happy when I came back to clinic to see such a wide smile on his face. In the two year wait for the phone to go it was him and his team that kept me going and for that alone I am so thankful. Char
Like you don’t post a lot these days, but I do read what is going on. WoW doesn’t time pass quickly? Can’t believe it’s been 3 years, though last Saturday it’s 7 years since my surgery! Thank goodness for the Gold Jubilee 😂
It’s so good to see you doing so well, but can understand how you feel on the anniversary, giving the gift of life to another person is the most beautiful thing.
Hi it's lovely to hear from you I had been wondering how you were doing, are you keeping all right at the moment. I can't believe it's been three years! when I look at the pictures I took in ICU what a difference even after the first year. When it comes to major things the NHS are brilliant but the admin and waiting lists for more routine ops really let them down. Char x
Congratulations on your 3rd Heartiversary!! And here's to many more 🥂.
I'm at 4 & 1/2 years post transplant now, and feel exactly like you. I wasn't in hospital during lockdown, which must have been very isolating and scary, I was 130 miles from home, so family and friends weren't able to visit frequently. As you say, not an easy journey, but aren't we sooo lucky to be still here. I echo your sentiments towards our donors' families, and donors everywhere.
Hi CharThank you for such a thankful and uplifting post to inspire and offer support to others awiting transplant.
And also to see such a post that should encourage others to think about and discuss how important it is to carry a donor card and to ensure family and medical staff are informed of our wishes.
I hope that it is comforting to the donor family to see that they have helped with a gift of life, and to see that you are embracing the opportunity to live life to the full.
I hope there will be many more anniversaries for you still to come.
Hi thank you for your reply, you are right about the donor cards, I still carry one and if there is anything that could still be of use I am sure my family will make sure that they follow my wishes. The last few years have definitely been a rollercoaster but my cardiac team have been with me every step of the way and for that I am so grateful, char
Thank you 😊, I am so glad we have a hospital like the jubilee I go every six months now, MRI Feb, Echo August but I used to be there so often it was like visiting friends and it's good to see they are still there.I am afraid the age is right but on the plus side I only have 14 months to hang on for my state pension 😅char
Hi and thank you, I hope you are keeping all right as you are so young to have heart failure. Mine was caused by a faulty gene and I was 58 when I was diagnosed my fault entirely I ingored the symptoms for years and as it was so bad there only option was transplant. Take care char
Mine was dilated cardiomyopathy triggered by my first pregnancy in 2018 but wasn’t diagnosed until January 2021 and by that point had developed into heart failure.
Overall I think it’s pretty well managed although I’ve been experiencing some symptoms recently and I’m currently waiting for an echo to check on my EF.
My dad also has DCM so the suspicion is that mine is inherited too.
Thank you for your well wishes, I hope that I will be as positive as you if I ever come to need a transplant one day; honestly I think you’re amazing and it’s lovely to read!
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Dilated Cardiomyopathy/ Heart Transplant
Update 
ICD insertion and went for Heart Transplant 
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