Compassionate Support for Transplant Recipients and their Families

My Story

I remember sitting in the ICU room listening to the doctors tell me "YOU NEED TO BE EVALUATED FOR A HEART TRANSPLANT!" I was devastated. I thought that they had it wrong. I just needed some different medications and lifestyle habits. My heart would be fine.

It was the day of my father's funeral and I was already emotional from it. My feet were swollen and my horrible cough for over a year was still a daily issue. I had lost weight from frequent upset stomach aches which caused me to vomit after I ate. After seeing seven specialists for my throat, lungs, stomach, and heart and ER visits prior to this one ,the diagnosis was finally confirmed. I was in severe heart failure. I had received an ICD/defibrillator two years prior and my heart function was still declining. My life has forever changed. Would I live to see my three children grow up or leave my husband alone to raise them? I just didn't know how to feel. I trusted God but felt like he had let me down and had forgotten about me. I was sad, mad, hurt, numb all at different times. Fortunately for me I had finally received the treatment I needed to save my life but it is still an uphill battle. Depression and anxiety became my new daily fights alone with the health challenges, An almost three month hospital stay stretched my will to levels I didn't know I had. I had lost my joy and peace for a period of time, but I knew God hadn't given up on me. It took over a month to get listed on the transplant list and when I finally was told I had a donor it turned out not to be a good fit so I had to wait again. I actually was in the surgery room waiting for over three hours prepped for the new heart. I am so grateful my doctors made the right call to not give me another weak heart. I already had one so another poor one was not an option. Physically I recovered well but my emotions were everywhere. I didn't know how to fit in anymore. I had missed Christmas , my twin girls' birthday and my anniversary since I was hospitalized. I spent another five weeks with a relative because my house had a water leak and the house was not safe for me. When I finally returned home things had changed, I had to fit in to a new normal. So I do know how it feel so be a stranger in your own home. I was so used to being confined in one room when I returned home for over three months I stayed mostly in my bedroom although I had a whole house to move around in. I also had to force myself to put clothes on since a hospital gown had been my attire for quite awhile. I sought counseling for my mental health and to improve my emotional wellness while my body was adjusting and healing. Weekly visits to the doctor to see if my body was not rejecting the new heart was now my new job. Thankfully for me my body did not reject my new heart. Now I still have some daily pain from nerve damage from one of the procedures and am not able to fully use my right arm. I attend weekly occupational therapy and three months of cardiac rehabilitation, but I am a survivor and want you to know you are too.

Navigating the organ transplant journey can be a daunting experience, fraught with emotional highs and lows. As a heart transplant recipient, I empathize with the daily challenges many of us face, from anxiety and depression to physical pain and social struggles. This trauma can often feel overwhelming, affecting not just the recipient but our families and caregivers who strive to support us. They may not fully grasp the emotional fatigue and mood swings that accompany our recovery, but their love and care are invaluable. We believe in guiding families through this process with compassion and understanding, ensuring that no one feels isolated in their struggles. Remember, you are not alone in this journey—together, we can navigate these challenges and find hope amidst the difficulties.

Caregivers also need ongoing support to help them deal with their own traumas about their loved one and how it affects them as well. Taking on unexpected responsibilities will test you to your limit and can cause chaos in the home. Staying updated on appointments, medication management, pain issues and every other area of life is stressful and can be overwhelming. We can help you balance your life and your loved one going through the transplant lifelong journey.

I have a second chance at life with my new heart. I want to support you on your journey!

Monica Douglas Davis, LPC

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