Barbara Shepherd received a heart transplant 15 years ago

http://www.couriernews.com/story.php?ID=20602

By Justin Hook
people@couriernews.com
In August 1993, Barbara Shepherd, then assistant principal of Russellville High School, and her husband, H.L., a retired band director from Russellville High School, traveled to Fort Smith to hear the U.S. Air Force Band play during a band master’s convention. While in attendance, Barbara said she began to feel nauseous.
“I got hot and flushed while there,” she said.
The feelings got worse, and she said she suspected something was wrong. H.L. said he decided to take her to the hospital.
The previous month, Barbara had spent
19 days in Europe touring the country with some students.
H.L. said Barbara did not smoke or drink or take part in any other activity which may put her at risk for heart disease.
“[The doctors] thought she may have contracted something overseas,” he said.
However, Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith discovered she was suffering from severe coronary artery disease and performed angioplasty, a procedure to remove blockage within an artery. After surgery, Barbara said she began to suffer numerous minor heart attacks and had to have an atherectomy performed to remove abnormal fatty deposits within her artery. Four days later, she went into cardiac arrest.
“One night, she just died,” H.L. said. “It was a bizarre turn of events.”
The staff revived Barbara, but her heart had suffered extensive damage. The hospital transferred her to Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Okla. to undergo more tests and procedures. The diagnosis was grim. Barbara said her heart had only 20 percent functionality and she would need a transplant.
She was transferred to the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock on Friday, Aug. 20.
“We got to UAMS on Friday and by
Wednesday, they said they had a heart available,” H.L. said.
By 7 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, 1993, the surgery was complete. More than 15 years later, Barbara said she is doing fine and living life to the fullest.
When asked if she has had any additional problems related to the heart transplant she said, “Not with the heart.” Barbara said she has developed osteoporosis – a disease which leaves the bones prone to fracture – as a result of the high doses of prednisone, an immunosuppressant she takes as part of her anti-rejection medication. She said the osteoporosis has been responsible for six compression fractures in her vertebrae and she has lost nearly three inches in height.
Barbara and H.L. said these days they “have learned to slow down” and enjoy spending time with their family, especially their granddaughter, Mackenzie, 4.
In the years following her transplant, the Shepherds organized a support group for people who have undergone or facing transplant surgery. It is one of many satellites of Organ Recipients Association of Arkansas, a patient-oriented advocacy, education, services and support group, located throughout the state.
“If anyone has had a heart transplant, getting ready to have one or just has some questions, give us a call,” Barbara said. “We can answer a lot of questions.”
For more information, call 968-2471.