Go here to see part one and two of the heart transplant series.

For many people, being sick is a private thing. Visitors that just “drop by” can be dismissed by the patients in short order.

I saw this during my training with non-transplant patients. What seems to unlock that door of privacy was the phrase “I am a heart transplant recipient”. The entire atmosphere in the room changes immediately. I have been welcomed by patients and family in such enthusiastic ways that it makes me smile to be welcomed and not feared. As we talk, the patients and myself, we share each others stories, what happened, how long have they been waiting, family, and lots of other general

things. I always tell them I am NOT a doctor or a nurse or a medical professional, but I have been here and I have done this transplant thing and possibly I can give them some HOPE.

With most, an immediate bond starts to form. Their guard is lowered a bit and often I become a bit emotional as we talk. I become emotional, a bit misty eyed, as I remember how I felt and also because as sick as I was, many of these people have been through years of what I went through in less than a month. We all have our own fears. And transplant patients each have theirs. For some it might be money, others worry about not being able to work in the

garden again (due to the mold & spores in the ground that can cause rejection), others worry about going back to work, can I drink a beer, can I ……….. fill in the blank.

Sometimes it’s the BIG question ……..

how long will I live? The one that can only be answered by God ………

come back for part 4 and the conclusion soon!

 I am a hospice and bereavement volunteer and I have shared some of my stories here on Senior Health Moment about my experiences. Recently I met Don from 2nd Heart Beat and learned of another kind of health volunteer – a transplant volunteer.

Don was nice enough to share his story on how he became motivated to volunteer and what he gets out of it. I am delighted to provide you with his interesting thoughts and story in 4 parts beginning below:

Part One: How it all started

To understand a bit about how I decided to become a volunteer, you first need to know a little about my “story”.

In the big scheme of things I am a walking, talking miracle. It started one Saturday with a heart “issue”, that didn’t know that I had. This first chapter ended 27 days and 6 hours later when I walked back in the front door of my house that the paramedics had carried me out through, with a new HEART.

 Yes, I had a heart transplant.

The transplant happened at one of the largest and most respected transplant centers in the world. The doctors, nurses and staff were phenomenal to me and my family. They, truly saved my life, not once, but over a hundred times. However, in retrospect, there were 2 individuals, both volunteers, that stopped by to see me that ultimately led to my desire to volunteer. To give something back.

Come back soon for Part 2!

Read Don’s thank you letter to his transplant nurses