Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) February 15, 2012
Gregory Welsh, 47, is a compelling example of the life-changing importance of organ donation. Following a car accident in 1996, he made the decision to donate his wifes organs in hopes of helping others. Fifteen years later, Mr. Welshs gift came full circle when he received a donor heart transplant after 120 days of life with the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart.
Its a miracle I got this heart and Im going to do everything I can to take care of it, said Mr. Welsh. I got a second chance and that means something to me.
On Jan. 14, 2011, Mr. Welsh went to his local urgent care center with flu-like symptoms. Medical staff discovered he had arrhythmias and a resting heart rate of 190. He was immediately taken to the nearest emergency room by ambulance, but 15 minutes after his arrival, Mr. Welsh went into cardiac arrest.
I woke up 10 days later with a SynCardia Total Artificial Heart, said Mr. Welsh. Doctors told me Id had a major blockage in all four of my heart chambers and had suffered a heart attack. Only about 20 percent of my heart was working.
After a month of recovery from his implant surgery, Mr. Welshs doctors offered him the opportunity to switch from the 418-pound Big Blue hospital driver that powered his Total Artificial Heart to the 13.5-pound Freedom