Last Updated 09 October 2008
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Hi I'm Jeff Trumper and this Is My Story |
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I was born in Newport Shropshire in April 1959.
I grew up with no problems left school at 16 worked at various jobs and not until 1981 aged 22 that I first encountered real health problems, I had a flu like virus which turned out to be Cardiomyopathy (An Enlarged Heart), but after a few weeks In the local hospital I was back to work with hospital check ups annually. In early 1985 at my visit to the Cardiologist Irene and myself asked if all was O.K. Was my illness hereditary? as we were getting married later in the year, and would like to have children. I was told the Cardiomyopathy was responding well to the treatment (Medication) and the heart was functioning as well as any other 25 year old. In August 1985 I married Irene, all was well feeling fit and healthy working hard long hours as a service engineer. In the October came home from work with what I thought was the flu, but the Cardiomyopathy had returned. After a week in the local hospital the cardiologist told me the heart was so badly damaged and the following morning, I would be going down to Harefield Hospital for assessment for a Heart transplant The following morning October 24th I was taken by ambulance to Harefield Hospital in Middlesex. After many tests and days laying in a hospital bed October and November had passed, it was now December
Monday December 9th 1985
Is a morning I will never forget. It was the day that my life started for the second time. Breakfast came and went. I knew nothing about the transplant until the trolley turned up to take me to the O.R, after twice being prepped for surgery and let down at the last minute. I had my first taste of Cyclosporin as I was wheeled in through the doors of the O.R.. Many hours later I was taken to I.T.U where I stayed for about 24 hours before I was moved onto E Ward room 19. Had 1st biopsy was told rejecting and started having H.A.T.G drips for 3 night to combat this
December 20th. I was discharged from hospital( 11 days post transplant) into a flat in the village, as we lived to far away. Our first Christmas as a married couple was spent 150 mile from our families, but it was nice to be out of hospital for Christmas.
January 3rd 1986. It was weird coming back home to Shropshire with the local media all wanting to get hold of us, as we were the news of the month but we just wanted to get back to living at home on our own
January 6th After many months away with me, Irene went back to work, I started doing the chores (except ironing) around the home and going shopping every morning after I'd walked Irene to work at the local Doctors surgery. And get used to some stupid questions i.e. "what's it like to have somebody else's heart in your chest?"
June 1986. The 1st 6 monthly check up post transplant. Biopsy, blood tests, E.C.G, Echo & X-ray. no problems all working O.K.
November1986. After applying for numerous job as my last job was no longer available, I got a job in in a local department store in the warehouse.
December 1986. 1st annual M.O.T the full works Blood Tests, E.C.G, Echo, X-ray and Angiogram. No problems all working O.K.
March 1987. Our first Child was born a daughter who we called Rebecca (Becky).14 months post transplant.
April 1987. I left work to look after Becky, and become "Mr. Mom" doing all the housework and bringing up a baby daughter, Irene went back to work
May 1987. A couple of months after Becky was born, I started to have blackouts without warning.
June 1987. The 18 monthly check up post transplant. Biopsy, Blood Tests, E.C.G, Echo & X-ray, all fine no problems, couldn't find any reason for the blackouts I'd been having. The blackouts went on for a few months with test after test, continuous 24 hour tapes until finally a blackout happened while I was wearing the machine. It was studied at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where it was found that the heart kept stopping.
September 1987. It was back down to Harefield with the 24 hour tape of my heart rhythm. More tests and it was decided to fit a heart pacemaker to cut in if the heart decided to stop again
December 1987. 2nd annual check up blood tests, E.C.G, echo, X-ray and angio, no problems all working O.K.
June 1988. The 6 monthly check up, Biopsy, blood tests, E.C.G, Echo & X-ray. no problems all working O.K.
September 1988. Got another job working in a local furniture warehouse. working 12 hour shifts all going really well enjoying working feeling much better in myself..
December 1990. Hannah our second daughter was born. Health wise I was doing really well (just as well another mouth to feed)
March 1997. 11 years post transplant started feeling tired most of the time and had severe pain in the lower back area. I had to give up work, the rest of 1997 and most of 1998 was spent visiting various hospitals trying to find out what was wrong with me, finally to be told my kidneys were failing, and I would end up on dialysis
December 24th 1998. I went to see a renal consultant at the local hospital and ending up having an A.P.D catheter inserted that day and started on dialysis staying in hospital until January 11th 1999
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April 1999. A few days after my 40th birthday a slight cough turned out to be an abscess on my right lung. Back down to Harefield again for tests and have the abscess removed. The day after the op I had a cardiac arrest (best place in a cardiac hospital) but yet again skilled Harefield doctors bring me back
June 9th 2002. My last operation and second transplant. I received a kidney at University Hospital Birmingham (more scars to make me look like a patchwork quilt, but I'm still here).
December 2003. Well 18 years post cardiac transplant. I've just been for my annual M.O.T. The heart is working well (it's a pity the rest of me isn't in such good fettle). But on the positive side I'm still here so Transplants Do Work
December 2004. Well 19 years post cardiac transplant, just over 17 years since the pacemaker was inserted and18 months post renal transplant I've just been for my annual M.O.T. The heart is working (if it wasn't I wouldn't be writing this). A few small problems but it's 19 years I wouldn't have had without the operation.............and my eldest will be 18 soon...that make me sound old............well I am...but I'm still around
Copyright ©2003 by Jeff Trumper. All rights reserved. |