donor letter

So, I debated on if  I should share this part of my journey but I then remembered why I do this blog in the first place. I write down my experiences so that I can hopefully help someone else in the same position that I was in. So here is my letter. It took me awhile to write it because who really knows what to say to someone who has lost someone  they love? Although, I knew deep down that no matter what I had to let them know how thankful I am.

Something else I didn't share was one night I just broke down. I am so overwhelmed with how great I feel and how I was given a new chance at life but then it hit me how much my donor's family must miss their loved one. I grieved for them and vowed I would do everything in my power to take care of this new heart. I also shed tears because I just simply couldn't believe all I had been through and that I made it through. It was an emotional night for me and almost every day I think of my donor's family and include them in my prayers. I hope to hear from them soon.....

Dear Donor Family,

                Hello! My name is Carmen. I live in Virginia with my husband and two dogs. I was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease at 11 months old. My whole life I have been limited to what I could do. I have had many surgeries and procedures to fix and maintain my heart. Most of my memories from childhood are of hospitals but my dad tells me that I was a fighter and always made the most of the life I was given. About six years ago I was told that they could no longer maintain my heart and that a transplant was necessary in order for me to stay alive. So I finally found a wonderful transplant center in which I waited almost 5 years for a match.

In the meantime, life was hard. I could not walk very far without getting short of breath. I had constant occurrences of pain or passing out from simple daily tasks. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous gift. Because of your donation I no longer have to use a wheel chair, I can now exercise for the first time in my life, and I now have some sense of independence. It is amazing how much life has changed and how wonderful I feel. I hope to go back to school next year and pursue a career with the American Heart Association so that I can help others with similar heart conditions.

I once again want to thank you for donating your loved one’s organ. I am so sorry for your loss but I promise to take good care of this heart. My family and I are extremely grateful that I now have the chance to live a full and “normal” life.

                Sincerely,

    Carmen