Open Letter from the President

"The following letter was written as an answer to one of TripleHeart's readers.

Hi NAME OMITTED* :

I'm Joanne Kelley, wife of Kel Kelley who created the Triple Heart site you responded to recently. I would love to have talks with you about what I know and also about how it feels while on this journey of transplantation. My husband has been ill heart-wise for so many years and, without our knowing, was on a steady decline toward getting a heart transplant. We NEVER thought we'd be facing a transplant..... never even thought of it!! I think, in his case at least, we thought he might die first from some heart situation like by-pass or rapid heart beat (v-tack). Consequently when we were told we felt overwhelmed, shocked and realized that we understood so little of what to expect...what it would be like before and afterwards. The Drs. and nurses at the hospital were nice enough but when questioned gave very few complete answers except to say that every case was individual. That may be true, but the answer took us no where. There was NO support group.....NO other people waiting for a heart to talk to.....NO information or people to comfort us. We had many questions, frustrations and fears. We kept all of our concerns in check somehow and kept going forward but always fighting our own battles totally alone.

I don't want you to wait for a heart living in frustration, fear and confusion. It just isn't necessary. That's why the site was created. To connect us all to this uncommon journey. There are so many success stories, so many transplants to meet and chat with, so much general information to share and REAL hope to cling to NAME OMITTED. All of us will see you through. The journey is taken NAME OMITTED one step at a time and you are on the right road.

But first tell me a bit about yourself. What part of the good old USA do you live in....are you married or single....children.....do you have family near by.....friends or a church to add to your support.....what type of work have you done .....tell me about your journey and how you got to this point physically....and how do you feel now physically and emotionally? This helps me understand you and points me toward other transplants (before and after) you can talk to.

The most important message I can leave with you today is this: There IS a strong light at the end of the tunnel. You are NOT alone. I and others WILL walk with you all the way. Let's get started!

Your new friend,
Joanne Kelley
jkelley2002@comcast.net

*NAME OMITTED TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF THE PERSON TO WHOM THIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN.

More from the President Coming Soon!!