Journal Entry 6: Hope for the Future

Debbie Kinney
May 11–17, 2009

After a full weekend of family and fun, I needed a couple of days to relax. I was still sore after having my battery replaced on Friday. However, Monday I noticed I was feeling light-headed. I wondered if my pacemaker had been set differently or did my LVAD pump need it's RPMs lowered?

I saw Chris, my home health care nurse, on Tuesday. I told Chris I had been feeling light-headed. Chris noticed my blood pressure was lower than usual. She called Kristi, my transplant coordinator, and Kristi told me to take my Diovan (a prescription) only once a day and see if it would help me feel better.

I woke up Wednesday morning not feeling well. I called Dr. Prabhu, my pacemaker/defibrillator specialist. He told me to come to his office that day. Dr. Prabhu checked my pacemaker/defibrillator and determined everything was programmed correctly. However, when he reviewed my settings, he noticed I had experienced atrial fibrillation and it was probably why I hadn't been feeling well. He told me to call him if I had any more problems.

It's Friday, Chris and Cora both made home health care visits today. Chris said my blood pressure was still low and to drink plenty of fluids. Chris and Cora checked my driveline sight and determined it needed cauterizing because more hypergranulation had appeared. Cora cauterized my driveline sight and said she would be back next Tuesday and Friday to cauterize again. I asked if I was doing anything wrong to cause the hypergranulation. They said it's my type of skin and when it gets wet around the skin the hypergranulation forms. I was glad to hear I wasn't doing anything wrong.

It's Saturday, May 16, around 9 am and I just received a call that I'm back up for a HEART!!!! Kristi, my heart transplant coordinator, called me and told me to be on "standby." Kristi said if the person ahead of me doesn't have a perfect crossmatch, then I would be next in line for the heart. I called my husband and several close family members and friends. Talking with my family and friends helped me to pass the time while I waited to hear from Kristi or Vicki. I understood I may not get this heart, but it was the closest I'd come to getting a heart since being listed. My adrenaline and emotions were running wild. I felt so much excitement, yet I was trying to keep myself calm in case I didn't receive the heart.

It's shortly after 11 am and I received a call from Vicki, the transplant coordinator on call. She said the person ahead of me crossmatched with the heart and I wouldn't be getting the heart. This time, it wasn't meant for me. I believe this heart is meant for the other person and I pray everything goes well for them. Now, I need to calm down, relax and enjoy my weekend. WHEW!! That was a close call!! Getting that call this weekend gave me hope for the future. Follow more of Debbie's heart transplant journey.

For More Information
To learn more about the heart transplant program at Sharp Memorial Hospital, please contact the program directly by calling 858-939-3831, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 3:30 pm.

To learn more or to find a cardiologist affiliated with Sharp, please call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-824-4277) or go to Find a Doctor.