I was one of those people who had been healthy his whole life. But about three years ago, I began experiencing shortness of breath. I couldn't do the things I wanted to do with my family. I felt like my kids were growing up so fast and I was missing out on all the little moments with them. So I went to see my doctor. Turns out I had a heart valve problem, so the doctors did a valve replacement.

That seemed to work for a couple of years. But then the shortness of breath came back. It became really hard to do anything strenuous. So I went back to the doctor and this time, they put a pacemaker in. That really didn't help like I hoped it would. I was getting weaker and weaker. I was a pretty young guy too, so I began to worry about my future. Would I be there for my family?

After one trip to my local ER, my stepson, who was a registered nurse there at the time, realized the issue was dire enough to require immediate attention. He worked with the ER doctor to authorize the needed transfer to UVA.

That's when I started coming here, back in early 2010. Turns out I have chronic heart failure. The truth is, I need a new heart. I didn't know what that would mean for me or if I would have to just tolerate being so weak until I could get a new heart. But Dr. Bergin told me there were things we could do to get me back to as close to normal as possible. I had become so de-conditioned, even the simplest things left me exhausted. I was open to whatever was available.

First, they put in a balloon pump. It helps the heart muscles get more oxygen and helps the heart's output. Then, in another surgery, they put in a device that isn't very common. It's called an LVAD, a left ventricular assist device. It does the pumping that my own heart can't do. And rather than me being tied to a bunch of equipment in a hospital bed, it lets me go out and live my life. I wear it in a belt around my waist. Most people don't even know I have it on.

But surgery wasn't the only way UVA helped me. They had me in rehab and physical therapy. I pretty much had to learn to walk again. It took three months, altogether, before I could be discharged. But within a couple of weeks of being home, I was back at the office part time. And then the following month, I was able to go back to full time.

I remember being so thankful to UVA for helping me get back to living a more normal life. But my story with UVA wasn’t over yet.

On Thanksgiving Day of 2010, I got a phone call. It was the transplant nurse who said, “Would you like to get a new heart today?” I felt like all the prayers that people were praying for me were finally being answered. On Thanksgiving Day! Dr. Kern at UVA performed the transplant without a hitch and within 12 days, I was back at home.

In only six weeks, I was back at work, and eventually, I got back to doing the things I like to do. Playing golf, spending time with my family. In fact, we went to Busch Gardens this past summer and this fall, we’re going to Disney World.

The UVA transplant team has been with me every step, guiding me along and making sure I’m where I belong in terms of progress. I am very blessed with all that has transpired at UVA over the course of the last 1½ years! I couldn’t have dreamed of a better outcome, and my wife and kids are so happy to have me back at full speed.