All about the heart
by Sherrie Norris
Valentine's Day is all about the heart and no one knows that any better than Rachel Tucker who, 10 years ago, received a new heart on Feb. 14.It wasn't filled with chocolate candy or laced with frivolous words of romance, but it did fill her hopes and dreams for the future. In fact, it was the reason she's still alive today.As Tucker plans to celebrate the milestone of her heart transplant with family and friends next week, she reflects upon the gift of life that changed everything.“We are having a party, but it's not just for me,” she said. “We are also celebrating Donor Services of the Carolinas and the amazing job the organization does to make it possible for people like me to live — because of those who didn't.”While Tucker admits the subject is always “bittersweet,” she is grateful that her donor and his or her family had the desire and foresight to make life possible for others.Her upcoming celebration, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Son's Light Coffee House in Boone, will include a brief presentation of donor services by a local representative whose volunteer work stems from the transplant of her own granddaughter several years ago. From Being A Help To Needing Help
Tucker was bedfast and connected to oxygen a decade ago as she awaited her life-saving procedure. She had suffered for many years with “uncontrolled asthma,” which she said, was often treated symptomatically, resulting in a delayed diagnosis of viral myopathy.
“I had severe shortness of breath and other symptoms that appeared like asthma,” she said. “It was almost too late when they told me I had a serious heart problem that only a transplant could correct. I was probably in congestive heart failure at times when it looked like just another asthma attack.”
Increased lethargy and a mildly debilitating stroke led physicians to uncover the underlying disease.
Tucker credits local neurologist Suzanne McAdams “for probably saving my life” and cardiologist Peter Ashline for referring her for a transplant.
Timing is everything, Tucker admitted.
As a single mother of an adopted adult daughter, she had moved to Boone from Chicago two years earlier to help her sister, a mother of three sons and a nurse at Watauga Medical Center, who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Tucker also went to work at the hospital as a physical therapy assistant before her own medical conditions forced her to quit and depend on others for her care.
“I kept dragging to work as long as I could, but it was embarrassing to have to keep apologizing to my boss for having no energy,” she said. “I just couldn't do what I needed to do and I certainly didn't want to put my patients in jeopardy.”
With an ongoing desire to assist her sister's family, despite her own weakened state and limited mobility, Tucker continued to homeschool one of her nephews — often from the couch.
At the same time, she had to meet stringent funding requirements and lose a significant amount of weight before the transplant center at Duke University Medical Center would proceed.
The community really kicked in, Tucker said, to help raise money to cover expenses that her insurance wouldn't. Numerous fundraising events were held in her honor; Tucker's own artwork was sold to help cover the exorbitant cost of the transplant.
Once her name made it to the “top of the transplant list” she said, she waited “for about six more weeks” before receiving “the call.”
The procedure was successful “with a little early rejection scare that resolved quickly,” Tucker said. “ I had no complications with the heart. It was fabulous, but I did sink into a deep depression, which is common.”
The unexpected death of her 38-year-old daughter, who had Cerebral Palsy, occurred soon afterward, and, of course, was a contributing factor. However, Tucker's physical stamina was greatly improved and 12 days after her transplant, she was back in Boone and walking on the Greenway Trail.
Ten years later
With the anniversary of her heart transplant always falling on Valentine's Day, Tucker said it's an easy reminder of the day that her life changed forever.
While still dealing with a few medical problems including fibromyalgia, Tucker requires the use of a walker and an electric wheelchair, at times. “I am great otherwise.”
She lives alone now and spends three days a week volunteering at the local senior center, where she “calls Bingo” and enjoys the fellowship. “I love being there every day that I can,” she said. “Doing something for others is therapeutic for me and everyone there is so sweet to me.”
In addition to her time, she also shares her artistic talents through arts and crafts with others. She paints with watercolors and she knits, she makes jewelry and enjoys scrapbooking. “My hands shake from some of my medicine, so it takes effort, sometimes,” she said.
Unable to drive, Tucker relies on AppalCART's paratransit service for transportation. “They are awesome and take such good care of me. They get me where I need to go.”
With the 10th-year milestone now in sight, Tucker and her circle of family and friends are in great anticipation of honoring a true heart experience.
She is grateful to be alive and for all the help she receives. Most of all, she is thankful for the one who gave her a heart and a second chance at life, she said.
“I know nothing about my donor and I'm not sure that I want to. I could write them a letter, but the fact that I wasn't told anything from the beginning, makes me think maybe they didn't want to connect,” she said. “What they gave to me was such a wonderful gift. Hopefully, by helping to spread the word about the donor program, I can help someone else have a life.”
Tucker was also a registered organ donor. “I always had it marked on my driver's license, but I never realized how important that simple gesture would become to me,” she said.
A time to give back
At 6:30 p.m., on Tues., Feb. 14, Rachel Tucker will officially begin celebrating the 10th anniversary of her life-saving heart transplant at Son's Light Coffee House in Boone.
“It's not all about me,” she said. “I want people to learn about Carolina Donor Services.
A brief information session will be followed with refreshments and live entertainment, provided by Todd and Emily Marriott of “The Battle Victorious.” The duo will donate 50 percent of their CD sales (from the event) to Carolina Donor Services in Tucker's honor.
“Todd and Emily do a lot for me,” Tucker said, “and are helping coordinate this evening of celebration. Son's Light Coffee House offers a nice, Christian atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.”
Son's Light Coffee House is located behind Burger King at 174 Boone Heights Dr. in Boone.
(Learn more about Son's Light Ministries in the faith section of today's paper.)
Tucker was bedfast and connected to oxygen a decade ago as she awaited her life-saving procedure. She had suffered for many years with “uncontrolled asthma,” which she said, was often treated symptomatically, resulting in a delayed diagnosis of viral myopathy.
“I had severe shortness of breath and other symptoms that appeared like asthma,” she said. “It was almost too late when they told me I had a serious heart problem that only a transplant could correct. I was probably in congestive heart failure at times when it looked like just another asthma attack.”
Increased lethargy and a mildly debilitating stroke led physicians to uncover the underlying disease.
Tucker credits local neurologist Suzanne McAdams “for probably saving my life” and cardiologist Peter Ashline for referring her for a transplant.
Timing is everything, Tucker admitted.
As a single mother of an adopted adult daughter, she had moved to Boone from Chicago two years earlier to help her sister, a mother of three sons and a nurse at Watauga Medical Center, who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Tucker also went to work at the hospital as a physical therapy assistant before her own medical conditions forced her to quit and depend on others for her care.
“I kept dragging to work as long as I could, but it was embarrassing to have to keep apologizing to my boss for having no energy,” she said. “I just couldn't do what I needed to do and I certainly didn't want to put my patients in jeopardy.”
With an ongoing desire to assist her sister's family, despite her own weakened state and limited mobility, Tucker continued to homeschool one of her nephews — often from the couch.
At the same time, she had to meet stringent funding requirements and lose a significant amount of weight before the transplant center at Duke University Medical Center would proceed.
The community really kicked in, Tucker said, to help raise money to cover expenses that her insurance wouldn't. Numerous fundraising events were held in her honor; Tucker's own artwork was sold to help cover the exorbitant cost of the transplant.
Once her name made it to the “top of the transplant list” she said, she waited “for about six more weeks” before receiving “the call.”
The procedure was successful “with a little early rejection scare that resolved quickly,” Tucker said. “ I had no complications with the heart. It was fabulous, but I did sink into a deep depression, which is common.”
The unexpected death of her 38-year-old daughter, who had Cerebral Palsy, occurred soon afterward, and, of course, was a contributing factor. However, Tucker's physical stamina was greatly improved and 12 days after her transplant, she was back in Boone and walking on the Greenway Trail.
Ten years later
With the anniversary of her heart transplant always falling on Valentine's Day, Tucker said it's an easy reminder of the day that her life changed forever.
While still dealing with a few medical problems including fibromyalgia, Tucker requires the use of a walker and an electric wheelchair, at times. “I am great otherwise.”
She lives alone now and spends three days a week volunteering at the local senior center, where she “calls Bingo” and enjoys the fellowship. “I love being there every day that I can,” she said. “Doing something for others is therapeutic for me and everyone there is so sweet to me.”
In addition to her time, she also shares her artistic talents through arts and crafts with others. She paints with watercolors and she knits, she makes jewelry and enjoys scrapbooking. “My hands shake from some of my medicine, so it takes effort, sometimes,” she said.
Unable to drive, Tucker relies on AppalCART's paratransit service for transportation. “They are awesome and take such good care of me. They get me where I need to go.”
With the 10th-year milestone now in sight, Tucker and her circle of family and friends are in great anticipation of honoring a true heart experience.
She is grateful to be alive and for all the help she receives. Most of all, she is thankful for the one who gave her a heart and a second chance at life, she said.
“I know nothing about my donor and I'm not sure that I want to. I could write them a letter, but the fact that I wasn't told anything from the beginning, makes me think maybe they didn't want to connect,” she said. “What they gave to me was such a wonderful gift. Hopefully, by helping to spread the word about the donor program, I can help someone else have a life.”
Tucker was also a registered organ donor. “I always had it marked on my driver's license, but I never realized how important that simple gesture would become to me,” she said.
A time to give back
At 6:30 p.m., on Tues., Feb. 14, Rachel Tucker will officially begin celebrating the 10th anniversary of her life-saving heart transplant at Son's Light Coffee House in Boone.
“It's not all about me,” she said. “I want people to learn about Carolina Donor Services.
A brief information session will be followed with refreshments and live entertainment, provided by Todd and Emily Marriott of “The Battle Victorious.” The duo will donate 50 percent of their CD sales (from the event) to Carolina Donor Services in Tucker's honor.
“Todd and Emily do a lot for me,” Tucker said, “and are helping coordinate this evening of celebration. Son's Light Coffee House offers a nice, Christian atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.”
Son's Light Coffee House is located behind Burger King at 174 Boone Heights Dr. in Boone.
(Learn more about Son's Light Ministries in the faith section of today's paper.)