A Grateful Heart
Oklahoma Man Receives Heart Transplant
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Mark Carnell, of Piedmont, headed out the door for an afternoon walk one day, and by the time he reached his neighbor’s mailbox – he was completely out of breath.
Prior to this, Mark had always lived a healthy and balanced life. He and his wife were active in their church and community. This alarming experience while walking caused him to call his team of doctors, who ran tests, performed x-rays and eventually diagnosed him with congestive heart failure. His doctor shared with him that he would likely need a transplant within five years. |
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He worked diligently with his team of doctors to manage his heart failure, lose weight, and live his life the best he could with new restrictions on his lifestyle. By September 2017, his health had deteriorated to a point that the doctors believed that it was time to take the next step. He was placed on a medication that required a hospital stay and was added to the transplant waiting list.
Just two months later, Mark’s lab work had worsened, so he entered the hospital for a second time – this time with the knowledge that he would not leave until a heart became available. He waited for months plugged into monitors and was given medication through an IV in a hospital room. One day, a nurse came into his room right after he had finished lunch ordering him to not eat or drink anything else. Mark’s doctor informed him just moments later that a heart had been offered to him and he would receive a transplant that evening.
Shortly after midnight, the medical team began the surgery – and by 4 a.m. the next morning, Mark was in a recovery room with a new heart.
Since Mark’s transplant, he has lived his life with enjoyment. He has been able to travel across the United States, seeing family and spending time with his wife on a ‘ten states in ten days’ road trip, in which Mark was able to do most of the driving, even in high altitudes.
The highlight of his first trip after the transplant, he went to a family reunion. Mark was able to walk across a bridge over the Missouri river – a distance he had not walked in years. Mark and his wife rejoiced; and thanked God for the donor who saved Mark’s life.
Just two months later, Mark’s lab work had worsened, so he entered the hospital for a second time – this time with the knowledge that he would not leave until a heart became available. He waited for months plugged into monitors and was given medication through an IV in a hospital room. One day, a nurse came into his room right after he had finished lunch ordering him to not eat or drink anything else. Mark’s doctor informed him just moments later that a heart had been offered to him and he would receive a transplant that evening.
Shortly after midnight, the medical team began the surgery – and by 4 a.m. the next morning, Mark was in a recovery room with a new heart.
Since Mark’s transplant, he has lived his life with enjoyment. He has been able to travel across the United States, seeing family and spending time with his wife on a ‘ten states in ten days’ road trip, in which Mark was able to do most of the driving, even in high altitudes.
The highlight of his first trip after the transplant, he went to a family reunion. Mark was able to walk across a bridge over the Missouri river – a distance he had not walked in years. Mark and his wife rejoiced; and thanked God for the donor who saved Mark’s life.
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