Marie Pope Heart Transplant

It's finally that time. After 3 1/2 years on a Total Artificial Heart (TAH), Marie was finally approved for a transplant and officially put on the transplant list Thursday, July 14th, 2022. God has moved in some amazing ways. Once a heart is located, Marie will spend at least three weeks in the hospital. We are asking for your help to cover some large deductibles and extra expenses we will incur during her hospital stay. Anything you can do is greatly appreciated.

Let us fill you in if you have not followed Marie's story.

On November 19th, 2018, Marie was taken to the ER because of an unusual heart rhythm. Because it was Thanksgiving week, she was admitted to the hospital for observation, and multiple procedures were scheduled for the following week.

Believing she had a simple heart issue, the doctors did an ablation and a heart biopsy. The ablation did not help, and her heart started to fail during the biopsy. The family was called in, and the doctors were unsure of the next steps. One doctor decided to call a Baptist Medical Center for help. The doctors from Baptist were able to put Marie on ECMO, stabilize her, and save her life. God showed up.

In the next week, they confirmed Marie had Giant Cell Myocarditis. This is a very rare disease, with only 300 cases reported in the medical literature. The only true cure was a heart transplant, but due to high PRAs, Marie was not eligible. After being on ECMO for 45 days, the answer was a TAH (Total Artificial Heart).

Our prayer was that at a later date, Marie would be able to have a heart transplant. The first year was taken up by significant grafts to her right leg because of bed sores from the extended stay in the hospital. In the second year, we were put on hold because of COVID. After retesting last year, it was clear Marie could now get a transplant, but she needed to work on her health.

Now the day has arrived. Marie is officially on the transplant list and may get a new heart in the next few weeks. There will be a significant stay in the hospital, lots of recovery at home, and a whole new way of living. It is incredible what God has been doing.

If you can help financially, we would greatly appreciate it. Even if not, please continue to pray for Marie's health and the procedure that is coming soon. We will be leaving updates here as the process continues.

This has been hard, but God is good!