Kara's heart transplant journey

Help Kara with Her Heart Transplant Recovery!

​We wanted to thank everyone who has been on this heart transplant journey with Kara and our family from the very beginning, the middle, and who are just now joining the journey.

​Kara's path to a heart transplant wasn't a straight one—it was filled with twists and turns that could have led to a different outcome. She was admitted to the hospital on January 13th and hospitalized for six months, waiting for a heart.

​Her first heart transplant surgery was the most shocking. She was prepped, intubated, and the surgeon had already made the 10-inch incision on her chest when the donor heart suddenly became unviable. They tried to shock it twice, but it was over. The surgery was called off, she was sewn up, and extubated, left to recover and wait again. The reality of knowing she was just minutes from receiving a heart that would have failed weighed heavily on us. We were just grateful God had intervened and saved her life at that very moment.

​Over the next two weeks, Kara received two more calls while she worked hard to recover from her attempted heart transplant surgery. Both calls were "dry runs" where she'd go through all the preparations—fasting, blood draws, and tests—only for the surgeon to find an issue with the donor heart at the last minute. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, but our family held onto faith.

On July 12th, she got the official call. This time, it felt different. It felt like the one we'd been praying for.

​The surgery was expected to take 6-8 hours, but the surgeon finished in just four. He said the donor heart was a perfect fit, he didn't need to make any adjustments, and the procedure went so smoothly that he even thought he might break a record. Kara didn't need a blood transfusion and she was extubated a mere eight hours later. Just two hours after that, she passed her swallow test and walked two laps around the ICU. On day four post-transplant, she walked out of the ICU without a walker or wheelchair, and was discharged on day eight.

​Kara's incredible progress is more than just a medical success story; it's a miracle. We've walked through 7 1/2 months of despair and tragedy with her, but through it all, we've seen God's hand at work in all the details.

​Her recovery is only just beginning.

A heart transplant is more than a surgery; it requires intense monitoring for the first year, as the risk for rejection, infection, and death is at its highest. She is required to stay close to the hospital for the first three months of recovery, which has put a huge financial burden on our family. While we are so grateful for the thorough care from her transplant team, we are asking for your help to cover the costs of this temporary housing and the many other expenses that come with this long recovery. Any contribution, big or small, will help us ensure Kara has the best possible chance at a healthy new life.