Journal Entry 16: Conquering the Heart Walk

Sept. 1–9, 2009

Tuesday, September 1st, was my biopsy. I found out on Wednesday that I had another zero rejection! My next biopsy won't be until the end of October. My biopsies won't be as frequent and are now scheduled every other month.

My Cardiac Rehab classes are continuing through the month of September. I had my second test and the nurses said there was a big difference in my test results since I began classes back in July. I love going to my cardiac classes! The nurses are so caring and supportive. It's great to see all the heart transplant/LVAD patients working hard and enjoying their workouts. The Sharp Cardiac Rehabilitation Center is a wonderful program and does so much to improve the quality of life for their heart patients.

Labor Day weekend we spent with our daughter, Nichole, and her husband's family in Coronado. Larry and I also celebrated our anniversary that weekend. We started the day off at the beach at the Hotel Del Coronado. Later we went back to the hotel swimming pool and I went swimming for the first time in three years! Before I couldn't swim because I had the LVAD and couldn't submerge in water. Wow ... what a great feeling it was to take that first step into the pool. It was a hot day and the water was so refreshing. Larry and I enjoyed splashing around the pool with our granddaughters. That evening we had a group of 30 family members meet for dinner at Asia Bistro in Coronado. Larry and I couldn't have asked for a better anniversary weekend.

Debbie completes the San Diego Heart Walk 2009.

Debbie completes the San Diego Heart Walk 2009.
For several months I've been getting myself ready for the San Diego Heart Walk on Saturday, September 19th. Well the day is finally here! Several of my friends met at our house at 5:30 am. We carpooled to Balboa Park to the War Memorial Building where the walk began. I had 28 family/friends join me on the walk. The walk was very well organized and had a record breaking 10,000+ walkers. It was so exciting! The Sharp Heart Transplant/LVAD Team consisted of about 100 walks. I loved seeing so many nurses, doctors, transplant and LVAD patients participating in the walk. Many of them completed the 5K walk and I was happy to finish the one-mile "Survivor Route." When I was crossing the finish line, I was thinking that 3 1/2 months ago I was sitting in a chair finding it difficult to get up and go from one room to another in my house. I can't describe the joy I felt as I crossed the finish line! I hope my donor was looking down from heaven and was proud of me. 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.