Cassidy Magill Evans shares her story about her organ transplant (at age 29), what goes through one’s mind when life support is looming near, the value of family, the benefits of competent and caring medical professionals, and the impact of her grandmother, the late Allene Magill. Cassidy’s heartfelt commentary about her medical journey is informative and inspiring, including her request for listeners to consider the life-changing effects of organ donation. A great episode to share with others.
SHOW NOTES
2:25 – heart transplant at age 29, no previous cardiac issues
3:00 – post-partum cardiomyopathy
3:30 – placed on a Life Vest and a low ejection fraction
4:30 – a 49-day stay in the hospital
5:15 – the fear of leaving one’s children behind, without a mom
6:15 – emergency room, to a two-week stay, to “we’ve done all we can for you”
7:00 – options and prognosis regarding Cassidy’s heart
8:30 – praying and deciding to move forward with a heart transplant
9:45 – ECMO
10:15 – shifting one’s perspective during and after a heart transplant
11:00 – Cassidy’s mom, cardiomyopathy, and her heart transplant months after Cassidy’s
12:00 – the wait for a heart, and testing for the best match, for improved outcomes
13:00 – antibodies after pregnancy can affect transplant success
14:20 – a ten-hour surgery
14:50 – the new heart needs to wake up
16:00 – the importance of family and a support system
17:30 –Dr. Allene Magill, an influential leader in education, and in Cassidy’s life
19:00 – Cassidy’s decision to change her career path change
21:00 – Shifting plans to find the “sweet spot” for one’s work
22:30 – teaching and learning, equal importance
23:00 – organ donors changes lives and save lives
25:00 – donor family and recipient interaction
25:30 – a donor’s organ can be classified as high-risk
26:00 – How does life change when you have someone else’s heart replace your own?
27:15 – Piedmont Cartersville, Piedmont Atlanta, Samsky Heart Failure Clinic
28:00 – great teachers…
29:15 – Matt Fox, Becky Reynolds
30:00 – Cassidy’s closing comments
LINKS
LifeVestTM - Cleveland Clinic page
Organ Donation - American Society of Transplantation