ATHENS, TN — Every eight minutes, another person is added to the transplant waiting list. Heart transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage heart failure. But a national shortage of donor hearts could mean long wait times on transplant lists.
An Athens, Tennessee, woman is opening up about her journey after getting a second opinion and now being a heart transplant candidate.
Belinda Howard is only 60 years old and lives in Athens, Tennessee. She says she was shocked when she heard the news in July. She reflects on the parts of her life that keep her going.
“Love, love, love. It means support. My family is my everything, my world, my life. I couldn't live without them. They keep us whole and together. “I'm the glue that holds them together, so I have to do better,'' says Belinda, a heart transplant candidate.・Howard said.
Belinda was first diagnosed by doctors in July with an enlarged left side of her heart, causing heart failure. After several tests and options presented to her, she decided to get a second opinion.
“It meant a lot to me. It made me feel like there was hope. You know, it made me feel like I could live,” says heart transplant candidate Belinda Howard. I did.”
“That's just what I'm trying to do. I want to take some of the financial burden off of them, the burden on them, because they don't need that extra stress. feels stressed enough about the whole situation,” said daughter Brittany Gibson. ”
The plan of action is to have a pacemaker installed and begin heart transplant procedures by the end of the year. Doctors say she is the perfect candidate for this surgery.
They aim to raise $50,000 to offset some of the costs and shed light on the problem.To help make a donation, please visit our website.
For more information about heart transplants, visit the National Institutes of Health.
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