Waiting game: Marion resident awaits heart transplant
Staff reporter
Waiting.
One of the hardest things for most people to do is to wait. Sometimes it's having to wait in line at a grocery store, sometimes it's waiting for a phone call.
A great deal of patience is required during the "waiting game."
Gerald Kelsey and his wife Sharon know all about waiting. They are playing the "waiting game" — waiting for a heart.
The 61-year-old suffers from a heart condition that only pumps a portion of the necessary blood through the heart.
On Friday, he was notified that he was eligible for a heart transplant and was placed on a national list.
"It could be five minutes or a year when I could get a call for a heart," Kelsey said.
Kelsey's heart problems came to light eight years ago when he had quadruple bypass surgery.
"The doctors said they didn't know how many heart attacks I had before the surgery," Kelsey said. "They weren't sure what they were going to find when they got in there."
After the surgery, Kelsey said he felt good and resumed his normal activities and profession as superintendent of Marion County road and bridge department.
In July, Kelsey said he mowed on a hot summer's day.
"That afternoon, I mowed in too hot of weather which caused a relapse," Kelsey said.
He was hospitalized for five days. Since then he has spent his time at home, and in doctors' and hospital rooms.
An irregular hearth rhythm is causing Kelsey's problem. He tried various medications which did help. While his heart was in rhythm, he felt great, Kelsey said.
When Kelsey first was hospitalized, his heart only pumped 13 percent. Five days later it was up to 19 percent, and two weeks later 30 percent, but it didn't get any higher.
"Normally a heart beats 50 percent," Kelsey explained. "It's not keeping up with the blood which produces oxygen and helps me breath."
During that period when his heart was pumping more regular, Kelsey thought he was over the hump.
"I even started walking again," Kelsey said. Unfortunately, the medicines and treatments didn't last long.
He had the most difficult time breathing when he tried to lay down in bed at night to sleep. He resorted to sleeping in a recliner.
"Bruce Skiles (a local chiropractor) gave me a couple of treatments and it has helped me tremendously (with breathing)," Kelsey said. Following treatments, he's able to breath and sleep better.
Staying healthy is important. Kelsey cannot risk coming into contact with flu germs or other illnesses.
"I can't risk getting sick," Kelsey said, so he remains isolated from the community and large groups of people. He received flu and pneumonia shots in an effort to keep him healthy but has to protect himself the best he can.
He spends his days watching television, resting, and walking around the house. He misses his job, employees, and friends.
"It's hard for men to come by and visit or call me when they've known me all my life," Kelsey said. "It's hard for them to know what to say. When they do call, I try to carry the conversation."
For Kelsey, his heart problems are hereditary. He wants to get the message out to others to watch for warning signs of heart problems.
"I didn't have many (warning signs)," Kelsey said, "but a lot of people do and they need to do something when they have them."
The future
Heart transplants are considered to be a safe and successful way to extend and improve a person's quality of life.
In the U.S., 75 percent of heart recipients are male. Fifty-two percent are between the ages of 50 and 64, 20 percent between the ages of 35 and 48.
The diseased or damaged heart is surgically removed and a donor heart is implanted.
To receive a donor heart, a person has to be placed on a donor list. To be placed on a donor list, Kelsey was chosen by a transplant team as a candidate.
Kelsey had an intensive battery of tests at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis campus, Wichita, to determine his eligibility for the transplant. He was told he was a good candidate but wasn't notified right away that he had been accepted.
"I've got a common blood type," Kelsey said. "They say with a common blood type, finding a compatible donor is done pretty quickly."
Kelsey met with a kidney specialist, psychiatrist, dietitian, social rehabilitation worker, infectious disease doctor, and the organizer of the team, Dr. Tom Estop for evaluations.
The Wichita hospital is the only one in the state that does transplants, he said.
Kelsey has confidence in Dr. Estop and his team.
"I've been told and believe he is one of the most consistent (with successful transplants) and dedicated doctors around," Kelsey said.
Now that he's been accepted as a candidate, his name will be placed on a national waiting list. Many factors determine the length of time a patient must wait.
A pager, carried by Kelsey, will be used to notify him when a compatible heart is available for a transplant.
When a compatible heart is located, Kelsey will travel to the Wichita hospital for the procedure.
Kelsey has been told when he does receive a transplant, he can expect to be hospitalized seven to 10 days.
"I have no idea how long total recovery time will be," Kelsey said. A major factor will be how Kelsey's body accepts the donor heart.
He and his family have been in contact with a heart transplant recipient from Smolan who gave them an idea of what to expect from the experience.
Well wishes from people are appreciated. Telephone calls are welcome and visits from people who are in good health are appreciated, Kelsey said.
Throughout this ordeal, Kelsey remains optimistic. He takes life one day at a time, and with his wife and family by his side, it makes the waiting a little easier.
