I never really knew Heather that well, I guess I’ve always just known her as the sweet, smiling, woman who joins us for DDX. When I approached Heather on having her story be next, I didn’t realize what I was asking. What makes Heather such a compelling story is that she has experienced physical and emotional suffering many of us have never known. And yet her ability to find joy and greet life with such grace, would leave most of us thinking her life is roses all the time.
I’ve been moved getting to know Heather more, maybe even a little bit humbled. You see the story below is just a fraction of who Heather is. And while she was going down a very scary and altering path, she was also dealt curve balls that come with life sometimes. Things she had to process and take care of even while going through her own very personal hardship.
In months past Heather had a liver transplant and remarkably the donor for the transplant was her husband, Don. Prior to the transplant Heather underwent chemotherapy and radiation for two months:
“People cannot live without a liver so if the liver is at risk for whatever reason, you have to wait on a cadaver or if you can, find a Live Liver Donor Match. Don matched right away, blood type and liver size, which is rare. We transplanted on (no lie) the exact date we met 18 years ago. The date was pushed up for some reason and swear to God, landed on the day we met. That's when I knew everything was going to be fine. Don gave me part of his liver, it then regenerates in me and his part left regenerates in him. The liver is the ONLY organ that can do this. It's one of the hardest surgeries performed, with huge risks. There have not been many Live Liver surgeries performed, we were number 100 in the history of liver transplanting at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
What I love about Heather is she may have a million things going on or happening to her yet she can still show up to dance with a smile and her sweet laugh. “Probably one of the reasons I smile a lot, is because I've been given the beautiful gift of life. I really do cherish each day, with so much gratitude. There are things to worry about but I just try not to dwell on them, deal with them when they need to be attended to, and move on. “
“As bad as things can get I realize there are always people out there in worse situations. I remind myself of that often. Someone once told me, family, friends and laughter will get you through anything, and I believe it and am so thankful to have people that care in my life.”
I asked Heather what advice she would give on staying healthy: “Follow your intuition, especially when it comes to your health. I really do believe your attitude can make a big difference in how you live your life. My personal stress management and healing is exercise through music, one of the many reasons why I love to coming to MUUV for DDX. I tell everyone it's my therapy ( smile).”
This YouTube video is of Heather and Don right after transplanting. “We're on a lot of pain meds so we sound kind of funny. It really is a beautiful story, but I heard lots of these stories while I lived in the Transplant House, these people were so inspiring to me, seeing them fight for their lives and some doing it so graciously.”
Heather you have shown us that we all have ability to keep on believing that whatever life brings, we never lose our essence. You're a beautiful reminder that this moment is all we truly have, and having the grace to accept and embrace what is, is what life is all about.
Thank you.
Love,
Mikayla
Photos of Heather taken by Erica Sparlin Dryden
