Mia Welch, Transplant Recipient

It still amazes me...

In September of 2010, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at the age of 19. I was dancing on my college dance company; dance was my life. I got sick out of nowhere, from a virus, and my life was flipped upside down.

The first year was horrible. I was scared and depressed and I just wanted to be myself again. In October of 2011, I was admitted to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, where they told me I was going to need a heart transplant, and I told them they were crazy!

My heart was using under 10% ejection fraction and was failing fast. But, my faith was not going anywhere! I went into surgery on October 31. I don’t remember anything but waking up on a big machine, I had been implanted with a total artificial heart. My heart was gone. I was a Mayo inpatient for six months. I had such amazing people around me and I always tried to keep my head up.

In March of 2012, my dreams and prayers came true. I received my lovely heart!! It still amazes me and I can’t believe how lucky I am. I thank God every day that I am able to dance again, to live again. It may feel impossible now, but I promise the worst is over.

It was been 14 beautiful months for me and my lovely new heart! Thank you to my donor family. I love you always!