My friend’s New Heart

Hi friends!!

I couldn’t help but share that my friend, Troy, has finally received his heart transplant. After two years of waiting for a new heart, it finally arrived early this morning. Last night he got the call that they had a possible heart for him. When I was called and told the news, I didn’t want to get my hopes up.

Nearly two years ago, in August 2011, he had a call for a heart, and it ended up being a “dry run.” Meaning after the heart was evaluated by a team of doctors it wasn’t a good heart. Just because it was a match, didn’t mean it was healthy enough, and in that case it wasn’t. Troy had been prepped for the heart and was in the OR about to receive anesthesia, when we received the news it was a no go. It was heartbreaking!! No one wanted to face Troy after hearing the news. He was so excited for the new heart, and ready to go, and then heartbreak!!

He had a stroke last April (2012), while I was in Boston getting ready to run the Boston Marathon. Before being put on the transplant list, he has had two open heart surgeries, a stroke, and many other surgeries. He stays alive with a LVAD and a pacemaker. His health is volatile, and he has already lost his father and older brother to the same condition he has. His story amazes me!!

I have never met anyone with the stamina and courage as he has. He couldn’t leave Spokane, and always has to be in cell phone range, just in case he gets a call for a heart. He has 2 hours to get to the hospital after receiving the call. He couldn’t enjoy all the things he loved before: football, hiking, mountain biking, traveling, etc. He was a very active young man, and after receiving the news about his diagnosis, his life changed.

I have watched him and his family wait for this heart. I have seen his hope and faith, and on other days his doubt and discouragement. Even under his circumstances he always has a smile on his face.

Just as fast as his life changed with the bad news of his condition, it has changed again….

He has a new heart!! He can now live a some what “normal” life again, with so much more freedom. All that he enjoys to do, he can finally do again in due time. I could write forever about how he has inspired me and others. But I wanted to share my feelings since receiving the news. I have taken so much for granted, and I realize this now more than ever.

• I could run whenever I want, Troy couldn’t.
• I could leave the state, city, anytime I wanted, Troy couldn’t.
• I could visit my family whenever I so pleased, Troy couldn’t.
• I have a healthy heart that allows me to enjoy all that I love, Troy didn’t.
• I could have days of endless energy, Troy couldn’t.

These are just a sample of all the things I took for granted. I don’t know if I could respond the same way Troy has if under the same circumstances. He has never lost hope and faith. He has never complained. He was always grateful for what life he did have. Sure, there was days he longed to be active and travel, but he always kept hope that that day would be soon, and it was!!

I dedicated my Boston marathon to Troy this year, even before receiving the news of his new heart. He has inspired me and is my top motivation for Boston.

Life is short and precious, and I have learned that through all circumstances, you can always find good. Troy has been a great example of this. He left family and friends to receive medical care for his condition, moving to a place where he knew no one. I was here doing my undergrad and was able to introduce him to some great people. And now he loves it here.

Through this he has met many new people he loves, and he has learned many things about himself. Through his experience, I have learned I have so much more to be grateful for. With his new heart, I have a new perspective about life.

I thank God for his new heart, all the glory goes to Him. My prayers and thoughts go out to Troy and his family, as he receives this new heart. My prayers and thoughts go out to the family who lost someone special.