Published: Wednesday, 5th November, 2008 12:30
Ten-year wait for donor heart
By Faye Thomson
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Danny Rae has been waiting 10 years for a heart transplant.
Pic by: David Robertson
FOR nearly 10 years Danny Rae has been waiting for a very important, life-changing phone call.
The Sauchie grandfather’s hospital case is also packed, ready to go the moment he and his wife Jen hear from doctors that a donor heart transplant is available for him.
Since the launch of the Advertiser’s ‘Sign up for Life’ campaign earlier this year another 1000 people in Clackmannanshire have added their names to the Organ Donor Register.
And the more people who sign up, the better chance Danny has of receiving a donor heart – and a new lease of life.
Danny (53) told the Advertiser, “Organ donation is my only chance – my life has been on hold since I was put on the transplant list in 1999.
“I would love to be able to do more with my family and my little grand-daughter Abby without tiring quickly. She is only four and doesn’t understand why grand-dad can’t play too much with her.”
The former welder is surviving with only half of his heart working after being diagnosed with ARVD – Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia.
Danny said, “I started having heart trouble when I was about 29, and I’ve been seeing doctors ever since.”
The heart problem, now known to be genetic, has already claimed the lives of his two younger brothers Campbell and John.
Danny’s condition reached a critical stage in 1997 when he was rushed to Stirling Royal Infirmary after passing out. His heart was beating too fast and he had to be resuscitated.
“I was in intensive care for a while and then transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary,” he said.
“As luck would have it, a cardiology team from Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital transplant centre was working in Glasgow and my case was discussed.”
Danny was then transferred to Newcastle where he underwent pioneering heart surgery to save his life.
Danny was the first patient to undergo the procedure at the Freeman with surgeon Mr Jonathon Forty. Further surgery to fit Danny with a defibrillator and a pacemaker was also carried out later.
“Just before I got the defibrillator, which restarts my heart if it stops, I was put on to the list for a heart transplant,” he said. “I have been waiting ever since.”
He tries to keep himself as healthy as possible despite his condition.
“I attend cardiac rehab at Stirling Royal and have regular checks there and at Newcastle,” he said.
“If a donor heart becomes available, I have to be ready.
“I know I look well on the outside, but all is not well on the inside. I have good days and there are days when I just cannot be bothered, but my wife Jen and I just have to get on with it.”
Danny had to give up his job as a welder with Stephen Clark Fabrication in 1997. Jen also gave up her work with ILS to help look after him.
“We live very slowly now. We can’t go on holiday without letting Newcastle know exactly where we are.’
Going abroad is also out of the question – not that the couple could afford such a trip. Medication charges and trips to Newcastle and accommodation over the years have eaten into their savings.
The couple’s hopes were raised about five years ago when Danny was in the Freeman Hospital for a routine check-up.
“Jen and my mum with there too when a donor heart became available.
“I was immediately prepped up and taken to theatre, wired up, plugged in and ready for the op.
“Then the transplant co-ordinator came into the theatre and said it was off – the donor heart was damaged.”
Danny added, “We were all really disappointed and just quietly came home to Sauchie.”
But the Raes have never given up hope. Despite being told that less organs are available for transplant these days, Danny remains optimistic.
“My heart is still working, not very well, but I am happy with that.”
Meanwhile the new electric shaver and electric toothbrush in his packed hospital bag are still waiting to be used for the first time in almost a decade.
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