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News – Health-Related:
Heart Transplant Patient Receives Cardiac Pulmonary Rehab at MCMC
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By Mindy Grunst, RN, Program Coordinator
Mecosta County Medical Center’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. In June of 2009, Terry Holliday celebrated his 1st birthday, even though he is in his sixties. Seem impossible? Not for Terry. Because of a generous organ donor, Terry has a new heart and a chance to continue living a new life.
Retired from the U.S. military in 1992, Terry Holliday served our country for over 28-years. But little did he know that one of his biggest battles was yet to be fought.
 The battle began in September of 2007 when Terry’s cardiologist told him to prepare himself and his family for only having 6 months to live. His family doctor wasn’t satisfied with this report and referred him to another cardiologist. After many tests, Terry was sent to the University of Michigan for what he thought would be more tests. It was at that time that he was placed on the Transplant list and a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted. This is a battery operated, mechanical lifesaving device that actually did the work of his heart and allowed him to live a ‘somewhat’ normal life until he received his new heart.
For 8 months, Terry was connected to the LVAD. He could leave his home and the device would operate on an 8 pound battery back-up, but the life of the battery was only 3 hours. Terry’s wife, Hortencia, was his primary caregiver and learned the ‘ins and outs’ of the LVAD. Since patients on the heart transplant list are strongly encouraged to attend Cardiac Rehabilitation, just two weeks after he received his LVAD and very debilitated, he “staggered” into MCMC with his wife. At first, a few minutes at a time on the treadmill were all he could handle.
Working through the program established by the MCMC’s cardiac and pulmonary rehab staff, Terry increased his strength and endurance, adding biking and weight lifting to his exercise regimen. His LVAD was continuously monitored to make sure that the batteries were fully-charged and his ‘flow rates’ were good.
Terry began MCMC’s program in November 2007. On June 4, 2008, when he didn’t show up for his regularly scheduled session, staff was concerned. Learning that the reason for his absence was because he was receiving his new heart was a pleasant surprise for everyone.
Terry spent only 19-days in the hospital following his transplant, and he soon resumed his cardiac rehab. He continues to attend the Phase 3 program (fitness) twice a week and has a treadmill and resistance equipment that he uses at home. He has been an inspiration to fellow participants in cardiac rehab as well to other transplant patients. Terry stated that “Cardiac Physical Rehab can seem overwhelming at first, but it’s definitely a necessity for anyone who wants to improve their overall health and well-being.”
Recently Terry had the opportunity to contact his donor family. According to him, it was one of the most moving and emotional experiences of his life. He learned that the donor who had given him the gift of life, was a young man from Minnesota who was killed in a motorcycle accident. Terry communicated with the donor’s 14-year old daughter over the phone, offering her comfort and closure by letting her hear his heart beat. They hope to meet in person soon.
Terry and Hortencia make their home in Osceola County surrounded by family and friends. Terry’s thought for all; “Even though you think you have a death sentence because of your health, never give up.”
Cardio-respiratory fitness for heart transplant recipients is 30 to 50 percent lower than age-matched healthy sedentary individuals, so exercise rehabilitation should be very important. If you are interested in being an organ donor, you can register on-line at www.organdonor.gov.
Photo Description:
Left to right: Mindy Grunst, RN, Program Coordinator,
Terry Holliday, and Mona Stanski, RRT from MCMC’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
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