A perfect match: Local couple waits for call for heart transplant
Staff reporter
People look for the "perfect match" in relationships, jobs, and other important aspects of life.
Gerald and Sharon Kelsey are looking for what is the most important "perfect match" of their married life — a new, healthy heart for Gerald.
Gerald has a condition where an insufficient amount of blood pumps through his heart which prevents it from keeping a regular beat.
Medications and shock treatments have resulted in short-term relief but the only solution is a life-saving heart transplant.
"Selection of a heart for a transplant is not based on a name coming up on a list," Gerald explained. "It's based on matching blood types, tissue, and size."
There is a national list used for matching patient to donor. To be placed on the list, the patient has to meet specific criteria. The list only serves the purpose of matching donated organs with recipients.
The 61-year-old had quadruple bypass surgery eight years ago. After the surgery, Gerald said he felt well and resumed his normal activities and profession as superintendent of Marion County road and bridge department.
This past July, Gerald mowed his yard on a hot day and had a relapse. He was hospitalized for five days. Since that time he's been unable to work and spends his time at home and in doctors' offices.
On. Jan 29, Gerald had a heart catheterization through the carotid artery.
This common procedure measured pressure and blood flow in the heart and lungs.
An EKG (electrocardiogram) and catheterization revealed the pressure had dropped from 30 percent to 15 percent. When Kelsey had the pressure measured this past July during his relapse, it was seven to 13 percent.
"The doctors were pleased there wasn't any fluid around the heart or congestion in the heart," Gerald said. Medications keep Gerald's condition in check.
Gerald takes a total of 15 different medications — some two times a day.
Wife Sharon has taken an active role in encouraging Gerald and serving healthy foods.
"We got a list from the doctors of foods he should and shouldn't eat to prepare for the surgery (heart transplant)," Sharon said. No salt was the most important.
Other foods Gerald needs to stay away from are candy, nuts, chocolate, and beer.
"He can eat anything with fins and feathers," Sharon said with a laugh.
Gerald received a call from the transplant station Friday. A package arrived for additional lab testing in a continued effort to find a heart match.
"Some people have to wait a couple of years for a match," Gerald said.
In two weeks Gerald will have electric conversions performed which are shock treatments to his heart to help his heart beat in rhythm.
The call
Life for the Kelseys has been centered around the all- important phone call that a matching heart has been located.
"We have to notify the hospital if we're going to be more than an hour away from the hospital," Sharon said.
When a matching heart is located, the Kelseys will receive a telephone call from the transplant team. The couple then will drive to Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis campus, Wichita, the only hospital in the state that does transplants.
When the Kelseys get the call, Gerald stops all food, drink, and medications.
"They told me to leave all my medications at home because I won't need them," Gerald said.
The transplant team, headed by Dr. Tom Estop, has between four and six hours to harvest the heart and implant it in the patient. If Dr. Estop is not available, another surgeon will do the procedure.
The Kelseys have been told patients in the Midwest have a better chance of finding a heart than other parts of the country.
"Midwesterners are more generous," Gerald said.
Donated hearts come from accident victims and otherwise healthy people who die from causes other than heart-related. Individuals must make their wishes known if they want to be an organ donor through a donor card or by telling family members.
Donors keep Gerald and Sharon hopeful of someday returning to a normal lifestyle.
For now, Gerald spends his days watching television, reading, and doing moderate exercise. At a recent doctor's visit, Gerald was told to continue his limited exercise regimen, doing no more than he currently does.
Crowds and large groups of people remain a constant threat to Gerald's health but healthy visitors always are welcome in the Kelsey home.
The couple remains optimistic, patient, and grateful.
They appreciate the prayers, well-wishes, and phone calls from friends and members of the community.
"The outpouring from the community has been incredible," Sharon said, if not at times overwhelming.
