William Ramey – Waiting on a Heart Transplant

It all started in 2014 when I had my first heart attack. Six months later, I had my second heart attack. It has been hard at times. I currently have a Heartmate 3 LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) that keeps my heart going. It took me about four years to get on the transplant list. It has been a long and hard wait, but I never give up.

I have been on the organ transplant waiting list for two years. I have had to change the way I live my life and the things I like to do. I miss working, doing the things I did with my family and doing things for myself. It was rough at first for me, my fiancé and her oldest son. They worked their school and work schedules around my mine. My fiancé’s son would leave or go in late to school, so he can help me with my IV changes and go to my doctor appointments.

I have a good support team. I keep telling myself I’ll get to live without the batteries and longer, when it’s my turn to receive a heart transplant, plus I will enjoy doing things with the kids that I did before my heart attacks.

UPDATE: William Ramey received his heart transplant on August 28, 2020.