Sick Girl: Living Through A Heart-Transplant
Amy Silverstein lives everyday to its fullest since receiving a heart transplant 19 years ago. She’s become a lawyer, gotten married, adopted a son and has lived longer than doctors ever thought possible. Her life is an amazing story of triumph, but it is not without pain.
“Every day is a challenge,” said Silverstein to Health Magazine this month. “I took my morning medicines, so I’ll feel very sick in about 45 minutes. These meds are very hard on the body. They make you nauseous and kind of flulike tired.” Amy has undergone more than 65 heart biopsies during her life, a “torture that no person should have to endure, not even once.”
She has beat the odds by living her life like a normal 44 year old woman. She takes her son to his soccer games, goes shopping and runs four miles a day. “Exercise makes me feel like I’m OK,” said Amy.
She doesn’t talk to far ahead. She and her husband keep plans within a 6 month time frame and don’t share with their son more than his young mind can handle. “I’m not afraid (of dying); I’m saddened.”
Amy’s life was allowed to continue because parents of a dying 13-year old had her heart donated. A hard choice, Amy recognizes, but one that she feels everyone should be open to.
If you are a friend or family member of someone who needs a transplant, or if you are going through the uncertainty and challenges of receiving a heart transplant yourself, I encourage you to read Amy’s book, Sick Girl available through Grove Press for around $24.00. Her story will inspire you as well as help you go through the anger, fear, sadness and gratefulness that come with undergoing such a tremendous event.
Tags: Amy Silverstein, heart transplant, Sick Girl