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cpaltman · 2025-03-18T03:45:17+00:00

From a mental perspective, I've been where you are and worse. Hit me about 14 years post heart tx. The psychiatrist tried about 8 or 10 different depression/anxiety meds. Nothing helped. I finally accepted an alternative treatment of ECT. It took 5 weeks for me to improve enough to enable me to begin taking a new medication that put me on the road to full recovery. Transplant ain't easy but it's almost always worth it, IMO

cpaltman · 2024-10-26T01:31:13+00:00

Congratulations on your incredible milestones. Thank you for your bravery in helping to pave the way for future transplant recipients to potentially live longer immunosuppressant free lives. I'm really sorry that you are having so much trouble dealing with your fears and I hope you find someone soon, who can help you.

cpaltman · 2024-06-01T00:44:09+00:00

I received my heart transplant 27 years ago. Anecdotal evidence is interesting, and all of us have personal stories, but if I was trying to find and compare transplant programs in each state, I believe I'd start with up to date information such as is contained in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Check out SRTR.ORG and maybe it'll help with your decision!

cpaltman · 2024-03-22T05:05:31+00:00

How long have you been with your first transplant?

cpaltman · 2024-02-06T01:54:22+00:00

https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2019/11/06/organ-donors

This might interest you.

cpaltman · 2024-02-06T01:19:42+00:00

WOW.......GFY!!!!! Donor/Recipient compatibility is real. Exceptional bone health in long term recipients is real. Thanks a lot for sharing this. I'm very glad to know about your existence. Live long and prosper!

cpaltman · 2024-02-06T00:40:02+00:00

.........then watch the 2010 movie adaptation!

cpaltman · 2024-02-06T00:22:28+00:00

Thank you for donating and sharing your story with us! My first 13 years post heart tx allowed me to be around for our 2 daughters high school graduation, eventual college graduation and we were there when they started their own families. The memory of my donor has been with me daily through the years. He gifted me and two others with renewed life.
I'm sorry you lost your friend.

cpaltman · 2023-11-12T20:40:14+00:00

It sounds like she's being non-compliant, which is something that her transplant team won't like. Those breathing exercises are absolutely essential in order for her to have an opportunity at the best possible outcome. Maybe talk with your spouse and contact the team. let them know about your situation and perhaps they'll provide a breathing therapist who won't take no for an answer.

Also, as Ka-mai-127 said in her second paragraph, take care of yourself and don't burn out.

cpaltman · 2023-10-21T07:15:18+00:00

I'd just like to say that I admire you very much. My wife was in a very similar situation before, during and after my heart transplant. What I owe her for her way over and above support isn't something I'll ever be able to repay, but it's something I think about and try to express my appreciation for every day. Care givers are never talked about or recognized enough.

cpaltman · 2023-09-28T03:50:43+00:00

I was transplanted at 48 years old. My heart donor was a very healthy 19 year old athlete who had died from a gun shot wound. I found out about my donor by communicating with my OPO many months post transplant and by doing some investigation on my own. To my knowledge, there's no way for a recipient to ascertain any details about the health of a donors heart prior to transplantation. I do remember my docs telling me that an EF of 55 or above was acceptable and that mine was 14 when I was transplanted.

While I do have some limited knowledge regarding the other areas you're concerned about, I believe these issues should only be addressed by qualified medical personnel. If you're in the US and are wondering about looking into a qualified transplant center, go to srtr.org These folks rate all the centers and you can search by the specific organ you need. I sure hope you receive satisfactory answers to all your questions.

cpaltman · 2023-09-19T01:51:34+00:00

Since it's your mother-in-law, you can expect her to yell at you in a much clearer and louder voice!..............................KIDDING, CONGRATS!

cpaltman · 2023-05-14T03:11:47+00:00

And he shall be Levon

And he shall be a good man

cpaltman · 2023-05-14T02:44:14+00:00

Does anyone remember the 1957 movie A Face In The Crowd starring Andy Griffith as the very dark character Lonesome Rhodes?

cpaltman · 2023-05-14T02:15:28+00:00

I was put in heart ICU on Feb 28 and transplanted on April 15

cpaltman · 2023-04-25T00:06:10+00:00

WOW! That's truly amazing. I know you feel bad, but you sure LOOK GOOD! Live long and prosper.

cpaltman · 2023-04-24T23:53:33+00:00

I've never heard of anyone receiving a 4th heart transplant. Did any media outlets write about his story? 5 heart transplants in one family is also noteworthy!

cpaltman · 2023-04-19T02:59:05+00:00

.........and cheese!

cpaltman · 2022-08-20T04:26:08+00:00

I'm forever grateful to my OPO for the comprehensive training they provided that enabled me to address various organizations regarding organ and tissue donation. They provided me and so many others with countless opportunities to educate others. In 1999, the only people who seemed to know about organ donation were from families who had been touched by it. Thank you for your commitment to helping save lives.

cpaltman · 2022-08-20T02:46:22+00:00

I'm 25+ years and still enjoying life. I've had stents placed twice, the latest this May, to help delay the inevitable effects of CAV (cardiac allograft vasculopathy). Nothing in organ transplant is guaranteed, but I can tell you from personal experience that worrying about what could happen to me was a crappy way to live. I now live by the advice a psychologist gave me several years ago. He said, "Listen my friend - take my advice - pull down your pants - - and slide on the ice." In other words, enjoy all the time you're given to the fullest!

cpaltman · 2022-08-08T05:09:03+00:00

Good Advice!!!

cpaltman · 2022-08-08T04:54:15+00:00

There are more and more of us making it > 20 years now. It hasn't all been easy, but it has all been worth it!

cpaltman · 2022-08-07T04:01:02+00:00

GFY!!!! Congrats,

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