Huge congratulations to Amanda Henchcliffe, one of our regular customers, for successfully climbing Scafell Pike just two years after receiving a life-saving full heart and lung transplant!
Managed it!!!! It was truly amazing, very busy but none the less awe inspiring!! We had a lovely view, and it was extremely emotional - I did not find the ascent (or descent!!!!) easy. My heart and lungs were amazing not breathless at all but my legs had definitely met their match!!! It is testament to the donor and her family as well as the skill of the surgeon and medical/nursing team!!!
p.s. Good fitting boots, appropriate clothing and walking poles made my trip possible, safe and comfortable!!!
My condition
I was born with a coarctation of the aorta. This was not corrected until I was aged 4. As a consequence I developed Endocardial Fibroelastosis-a very rare condition. Diagnosed during my nurse training when it was found that I had Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
At the age of 26 I went into Atrial Fibrillation, ultimately requiring ablation of the AV node with full pacing support from a pacemaker (to give me a heart beat). This was my Millennium present!!
Subsequent years found my symptoms gradually deteriorating with the onset of heart failure. This had a devastating effect on my family, friends and myself. I had to stop being the outdoor, active, Mother, Wife, academic person (-always trying to progress myself in my career) and gradually become dependent upon others for help with the simplest of things. I had to stop my career as a Practice Nurse as I became too ill to be added to the transplant waiting list despite still managing to work 40 hrs a week. THIS WAS ALL UTTERLY DEVASTATING!!!!!!!!!
The transplant
The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle serves the whole of the UK especially where rare, complicated conditions require treatment. Combined heart and lung transplants are extremely rare. In the year that I had mine only 4 of these procedures were carried out in the whole of the UK.
I had my first call in August 2012. This was a false alarm consequently I was sent home. At the 2nd call in February 2013 we had the 999 ambulance dash to Newcastle. When the call came it felt very different to my false alarm call - I just knew this was it and was initially frightened to go through with it. With David and Evan with me I never doubted that it was the right thing for us. I was in theatre for 6 1/2 hours going to ITU at approx 11.30-12 midnight. By 9am I was waking up, off ventilation, my new organs fully supporting me. It was warm, in fact I felt hot and flushed. I could breath, lie flat. I knew I had made it through. Those caring for me were absolutely tremendous, caring, supporting, encouraging and I was able to return home after 3 weeks!
Life after transplant
For my 1st birthday, I held a party in recognition for everyone who had supported us, but mostly to acknowledge my donor family. We raised a little money for the Freeman Heart/Lung Transplant Association.
Despite a few little niggles, I am back at work nursing, pain free, I can now breath, and I am warm, I can eat/drink, am able to socialise. I take less tablets than before. With support, I am able to take part in physical activity, and have increased my self confidence trying new skills like climbing, and I plan to integrate scrambling into my walks. I take part in Transplant Sport.
During the past 2 years since my surgery, my husband and I purchased our equipment from Outside. We found any purchases has always been supported with expert advice from friendly staff. This has been greatly appreciated keeping me safe, warm and comfortable!! As a way of thank you I wanted to 'fly the flag' for your company and my 'summits'.
This year my goal was to climb/walk Kinder Scout. I achieved this in March having climbed High Cup Nick in Cumbria, onwards to Scafell!
I am alive and am positive about life and the future. My motto throughout has been “I will try” and I am hoping that this is fulfilling my part of the contract with my donor family and the team looking after me, helping to make the transplant process a success to inspire others.
Well done Amanda! Hopefully we'll be seeing you up many more mountains yet! If you haven't already, please take a moment to join the Organ Donor Register. It really is as close as you can get to life after death.