Heartbeat Chronicles - Pioneering Heart Transplant at Christ Hospital With Guest Terri and George Cecere

February is American Heart Month, where women are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health. In today’s episode, we want to introduce you to George and Terri Cecere. Tune in and hear about their journey together managing heart disease and ultimately a heart transplant as Husband and Wife.

Episode Highlights:

• Andi introduces George and Terri Cecere
• George and Terri tell the story of how they met and Terri being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma early in their relationship
• In 2002, Terri was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy at 43 years old
• Terri found a cardiologist with experience in heart failure treatment, which helped manage her condition until the time she needed a heart transplant at age 62
• Andi asks about the symptoms of Cardiomyopathy
• Terri explains her symptoms and relates them to common heart failure
• Terri lived with cardiomyopathy for 17 years, receiving treatment and care from Dr. O'Brien and the advanced heart failure team
• Her condition gradually worsened over time, leading to the recommendation of a heart transplant
• Terri received a heart transplant at Christ Hospital Health Network, becoming the first recipient of the program
• Andi asks Terri about how she feels about all the media attention
• Terri shares her story and advocates for heart health awareness with the help of her husband George and Life Center
• Terri expresses gratitude to the donor family for giving her the gift of life, acknowledging their difficult decision to donate
• Terri also talks about how the reality of having to care for someone with heart disease is challenging and the gift George has been through this journey

3 Key Points:

1. Terri and George talk about how they thrived through 17 years of Heart Disease
2. They share their experiences for 17 years leading up to the heart transplant and express gratitude for how they were cared for by their doctor(s) and hospital
3. Terri now advocates for heart health awareness with the help of her husband George and Life Center

Tweetable Quotes:

• “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.” - Andi Johnson
• “I decided I needed a cardiologist who had experience with heart failure in particular, because it makes a huge difference.” - Terri Cecere
• “But I do think that intellectually we knew that at the end of the journey, the heart transplant was possible.” - George Cecere
• “Since Terri's transplant, which was, you know, only about 15 months ago, they've completed 19 heart transplants, which is an astounding number considering you know, how new the program is.” - George Cecere
• “And there's not a better person to have as your caregiver than George. I mean, he's, he was amazing.” - Terri Cecere

Resources:

https://lifepassiton.org/

https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/

https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH

https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

https://aopo.org/