http:\/\/www.couriernews.com\/story.php?ID=20602<\/p>\n
By Justin Hook
\npeople@couriernews.com
\nIn August 1993, Barbara Shepherd, then assistant principal of Russellville High School, and her husband, H.L., a retired band director from Russellville High School, traveled to Fort Smith to hear the U.S. Air Force Band play during a band master\u2019s convention. While in attendance, Barbara said she began to feel nauseous.
\n\u201cI got hot and flushed while there,\u201d she said.
\nThe feelings got worse, and she said she suspected something was wrong. H.L. said he decided to take her to the hospital.
\nThe previous month, Barbara had spent
\n19 days in Europe touring the country with some students.
\nH.L. said Barbara did not smoke or drink or take part in any other activity which may put her at risk for heart disease.
\n\u201c[The doctors] thought she may have contracted something overseas,\u201d he said.
\nHowever, Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith discovered she was suffering from severe coronary artery disease and performed angioplasty, a procedure to remove blockage within an artery. After surgery, Barbara said she began to suffer numerous minor heart attacks and had to have an atherectomy performed to remove abnormal fatty deposits within her artery. Four days later, she went into cardiac arrest.
\n\u201cOne night, she just died,\u201d H.L. said. \u201cIt was a bizarre turn of events.\u201d
\nThe staff revived Barbara, but her heart had suffered extensive damage. The hospital transferred her to Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Okla. to undergo more tests and procedures. The diagnosis was grim. Barbara said her heart had only 20 percent functionality and she would need a transplant.
\nShe was transferred to the University of Arkansas Medical Center in Little Rock on Friday, Aug. 20.
\n\u201cWe got to UAMS on Friday and by
\nWednesday, they said they had a heart available,\u201d H.L. said.
\nBy 7 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, 1993, the surgery was complete. More than 15 years later, Barbara said she is doing fine and living life to the fullest.
\nWhen asked if she has had any additional problems related to the heart transplant she said, \u201cNot with the heart.\u201d Barbara said she has developed osteoporosis \u2013 a disease which leaves the bones prone to fracture \u2013 as a result of the high doses of prednisone, an immunosuppressant she takes as part of her anti-rejection medication. She said the osteoporosis has been responsible for six compression fractures in her vertebrae and she has lost nearly three inches in height.
\nBarbara and H.L. said these days they \u201chave learned to slow down\u201d and enjoy spending time with their family, especially their granddaughter, Mackenzie, 4.
\nIn the years following her transplant, the Shepherds organized a support group for people who have undergone or facing transplant surgery. It is one of many satellites of Organ Recipients Association of Arkansas, a patient-oriented advocacy, education, services and support group, located throughout the state.
\n\u201cIf anyone has had a heart transplant, getting ready to have one or just has some questions, give us a call,\u201d Barbara said. \u201cWe can answer a lot of questions.\u201d
\nFor more information, call 968-2471.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
http:\/\/www.couriernews.com\/story.php?ID=20602 By Justin Hook people@couriernews.com In August 1993, Barbara Shepherd, then assistant principal of Russellville High School, and her husband, H.L., a retired band director from Russellville High School, traveled to Fort Smith to hear the U.S. Air Force Band play during a band master\u2019s convention. While in attendance, Barbara said she began to feel … Continue reading Barbara Shepherd received a heart transplant 15 years ago<\/span>