I am a retired engineer with three sons and three grandchildren. My heart problems started in 1983 at the age of 44. I had triple by-pass surgery in 1987, after my second heart attack.

In 1999, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and had to undergo a second open heart surgery, which included a triple by-pass and a placement of a St. Jude aortic valve. Life did not improve.

After numerous hospitalizations, defibrillators, primacor pump, heart transplant evaluation and assortment of medications, my name was placed on UNOS registry on April 18, 2006.

Thanks to the donor’s family, I received my gift of life on May 4, 2006. After numerous complications and a very bumpy ride, I resumed my normal life eight months after transplant. My gratitude to the skilled doctors, nurses, staff of St. Luke’s Hospital and the Heart Exchange Support Group’s whose encouragement and prayers pulled me through the difficult time.

Now, I am an active member of the Heart Exchange group and a SLEH Auxiliary member.