Timothy Kunes of Keewaydin underwent heart transplant surgery in July 2007. He now participates in Clearfield Hospital's cardiac rehabilitation program. With Mr. Kunes is Jennifer Natoli, exercise physiologist.
To learn more about organ donation by logging on to www.core.org or www.organdonor.gov or by calling
800-DONORS-7.
Click here to learn more about Clearfield Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Services.
On July 16, 2007, Timothy Kunes of Keewaydin was one of those people when he became the recipient of a new heart.
"I'm alive today because someone cared enough to be an organ donor. I believe it's very important to raise awareness about organ donation and get more people involved," said Mr. Kunes.
The circumstances that led to Mr. Kunes' need for a new heart began when he was a teenager. At that time, he contracted rheumatic fever, a serious inflammatory condition that can affect many parts of the body. In his case, the disease caused permanent damage to his heart.
In spite of this, Mr. Kunes lived an active and full life, working as a farmer, until about 13 years ago, when cardiac trouble resurfaced in the form of a heart attack. He underwent open-heart surgery to repair five blocked arteries at the University of Pittsburgh Presbyterian Medical Center.
Though he made it through the surgery, Dr. Srinivas Murali told Mr. Kunes that his heart was badly damaged, and that eventually he would need a new one. That news was hard to hear, but Mr. Kunes didn't let it bring his spirits down.
"I didn't get depressed. I had faith and knew that God would take care of me," he said.
A difficult year
For more than a decade, Mr. Kunes was able to cope relatively well with the limitations brought on by his heart condition. But in August 2006, his health took a turn for the worse – he experienced another heart attack. This time he wouldn't bounce back as he had before.
The damage was so substantial that his heart was unable to effectively pump blood. His other organs, especially his kidneys and lungs, started to shut down, so doctors prescribed a daily intravenous infusion of medication to improve circulation throughout his body. They also implanted a pump near his heart to help with blood flow. Both were temporary solutions.
It was during this time that Mr. Kunes' fiancée, Sandy Plubell, noticed a dramatic decline in his health.
"He experienced severe side effects from the medication he was taking. He was very weak and couldn't walk far. He had daily visits from home health and was in and out of the hospital many times. His quality of life was diminished," she said.
After many trips to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for evaluation and a slew of tests, Mr. Kunes was put on a priority list for a transplant in June 2007.
Now all he, his fiancée and family could do was to wait – and pray.
A donor is found
Late-night phone calls usually bring bad news. But when Mr. Kunes was roused from bed on July 15, 2007, at 11:30 p.m. by a ringing phone, he was happy to hear the voice on the other end.
It was Allegheny General with news that a heart had become available. Doctors thought it would be suitable for Mr. Kunes, but needed him to come to Pittsburgh right away to be sure.
Mr. Kunes was elated, but calm. Ms. Plubell on the other hand, was anxious.
"I think I was more nervous about the surgery than he was," she said.
After arriving in Pittsburgh at 2:30 a.m., Mr. Kunes underwent more screening tests, and then was prepared for surgery. Mr. Kunes' cardiac specialist in Pittsburgh, Dr. David Dean, led the medical team that retrieved the heart from the donor hospital; they arrived back at the hospital at 6:20 a.m.
The transplant surgery, which was performed by Dr. Stephen Bailey and Dr. George Magovern Jr., lasted until 12:30 p.m. For the next couple days, Mr. Kunes remained sedated while he recovered; Ms. Plubell and other family members were at his bedside.
"He had all kinds of machines and tubes hooked up to him. It was hard to see him like that, but we were thankful that he made it through the surgery. The doctors and nurses were wonderful," Ms. Plubell said.
Mr. Kunes remained at Allegheny General until Aug. 21, 2007, when he was transferred to a rehabilitation center due to some complications. Ms. Plubell was with him throughout his stay in Pittsburgh.
When Mr. Kunes was finally discharged on Sept. 14, 2007, he knew his health concerns were far from over. He will take anti-rejection medication for rest of his life as well as several other prescriptions to keep him healthy.
Since the operation, he's had 11 biopsies of his new heart to make sure it's not being rejected. He will continue to have yearly biopsies and will undergo periodic cardiac tests.
But it's all a small price to pay for a second chance.
"I'm feeling better each day. I still have limitations, but I can walk farther now and don't get out of breath as much. The doctors said that in about a year, I should be back to feeling like my old self, even before my first heart attack," Mr. Kunes said.
He doesn't know the name of the heart donor, but does know that the gentleman was in his mid-30s and lived in the mid-west.
He said he plans to send a letter of appreciation to the donor's family through CORE, the Center for Organ Recovery and Education.
Mr. Kunes encourages everyone to learn more about organ donation by logging on to www.core.org or www.organdonor.gov or by calling
800-DONORS-7.
"Many people can benefit from one donor. Organ donation is a powerful way to help others. If you're not an organ donor, take the time to learn the facts about donation. If you are a donor, make sure your family knows this so your wishes are carried out," Mr. Kunes said.
Cardiac rehabilitation aids recovery
In November, Mr. Kunes enrolled in the cardiac rehabilitation program at Clearfield Hospital to aid his recovery.
Exercise physiologists Jennifer Natoli and Dave Barber created an individualized exercise program for Mr. Kunes. They also counsel him about how proper nutrition can reduce the risk of other heart events.
"Cardiac rehab has been very beneficial. The first week or so, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep up, but now I realize how much it's helped me and how good exercising, especially walking, is for my heart. It's a safe environment and the staff does an excellent job. I would recommend the program to anyone with a heart problem," he said.
Mrs. Natoli said she admires Mr. Kunes' courage and believes his ability to focus on the positive, and not the negative, has been instrumental in his recovery.
"Having a positive outlook can make the difference when facing a serious illness. Mr. Kunes is a testament to how one can overcome adversity and see the bright side of life. He's extremely committed to doing what's best for his health and is a joy to have in our cardiac rehabilitation program," Mrs. Natoli said.
Mr. Kunes said going through the transplant experience has made him appreciate life more. He said it's hard to put into words the gratitude he feels for his fiancée, family and friends who supported him during his illness, and for the medical professionals who saved his life.
"They have all been wonderful. I look forward to each day. I'm very fortunate," Mr. Kunes said.
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