Monday, July 10, 2000
Heart receivers express thanks
By Tom O'Neill
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PIERCE TOWNSHIP — Stop. First things first. Put your hand over your heart.
Never take that muscle for granted.
This was the message Sunday at the eighth annual picnic for “Change of Heart,” the University Hospital support group for heart-transplant recipients.
Nearly 300 people came to the sprawling Clermont County home of transplant recipient Darrell Harper, including 42 recipients, their families and medical staff in the transplant program. The event featured games, swimming, music, a magic show, a teen scavenger hunt, photos, a golf chipping contest and stories.
“Life is great,” said Bill Oldrieve, 64, of Mount Healthy, who in February 1986 became only the fifth person ever to receive a new heart at University. “Breathing is great.”
He talked about dying, of seeing a flash, and looking down what appeared to be a hallway, and of waking up after a 91/2-hour procedure that was then still experimental.
“I never really tried to analyze it,” he said in words that slowed as he went. “I guess the good Lord let me get through it.”
He has six grandchildren, all born since his transplant.
He and many others spoke glowingly about the doctors and nurses who saved them.
Dr. Lynne Wagoner, co-director of the transplant program, called Sunday's event “overwhelming.” She brought her daughters, Emily, 3, and Caroline, 11/2. As she spoke, transplant recipient Gerald Montgomery, 55, of Lockland came up for a hug and a hello.
On average, 13 to 15 people die every day in the U.S. awaiting a transplant, and someone is added to the list every 14 minutes, according to LifeCenter, the regional transplant coordinator for Cincinnati.
The national list of those awaiting vital-organ transplants exceeds 70,000. As of June 30, there were 265 local patients on the waiting lists.
One of them is Jim Upson, 66, of Springdale who has congenital heart failure and a
rather tireless sense of humor that never strays far.
“I have a heart-to-heart with my heart every morning,” he said.
His lesson in life: “Don't waste time.”
Few did Sunday.
Dyllan Short of Carrollton, Ky., heard the disc jockey's music and started in on a dance that probably doesn't have a name. Just all arms and legs.
And he smiled like only a 3-year-old can.
Dyllan was 11/2 when he received a heart transplant. His parents, Tim and Wanda, stood back, watched and wondered. Their four other children sat nearby.
“He knows he's special,” said Mr. Short, leaning against a tree. “It still scares us though. Great some days, others ...”
Natasha Benge, 23, of Delhi was born with a heart defect. She received her second heart transplant on April 30, and wore a surgical-type mask to prevent infection. She was a 16-year-old student at Oak Hills High School when she received her first transplant in 1993.
“I took life for granted,” she said.
She plans to attend the University of Cincinnati in the fall.
She'll major in medicine.
Church breaks silence on AIDS
Experts: Gas prices likely to slide to $1.35 a gallon
New bridge connection a concern
Heart receivers express thanks
2 shootings leave two men dead
Fire injures 4, limits access to Cincinnati Zoo
Jobs, and a slice of Americana
Landlord gets tenants to safety in Avondale fire
She learned firefighting from the inside
Antiques grace MainStrasse
Hetfield-less Metallica turns concert into karaoke
Ky. Speedway's tune: Hard rock, no problem
Results of our news poll
Veteran celebrated in Italy
Youth programs get $18,300 boost
Chamber's fund-raiser beats goal
Demolition derbies a fair hit
Fairfield wants grads at home
GE union OKs deal
Golf to be played for fund-raiser
Hamilton city offices moving
Pig Parade: She's a Honey
GET TO IT
Tristate digest
Who should be cast away?
