My activity was always limited growing up, and as an adult, it got even worse not having been able to do the simplest things with my family. I couldn’t walk more than a block before I would need to stop and catch my breath, or climb a flight of stairs without resting. Five weeks after my transplant, while walking to the ice cream parlor, which is only 8 blocks away, my 8-year-old son Christopher said he was having a great day because we have never been able to do anything like this before. It has been 12 weeks since my transplant and I have been able to do more in these last few weeks than I have been able to do in about 20 years...I know there are no words that can take away the pain you feel over the loss of your loved one. But know that every night before I go to sleep, I ask God to help you and your family, because without you I would not have a life or future to look forward to. Thank you for being so strong and kind. KarenPS – My son is looking forward to maybe riding a bike with me in the fall and he enclosed his own message: Thank you for giving my mom a new heart. Now we get to do things together. Love, Christopher |
The following is an excerpt of a letter from Karen, a 36-year-old heart transplant recipient to her donor family.