HeARTwork: Heart Transplant Patient Finds Therapy in Drawing
4/20/2021
Fort Wayne, Ind. (April 20, 2021) – Anthony Rork, a Fort Wayne native and Elmhurst graduate, always believed he was in good shape. A family history compounded with stress, though, was not on his side. Rork’s father died at age 23 of cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. “You do what you can to be healthy...and it didn’t matter,” said Rork. “It’ll still get you.”
Approximately 3,500 people in the U.S. are waiting for a heart transplant and many will wait six months or longer. “With the shortage of available organs, the sickest patients are prioritized,” explains Asim Mohammed, M.D., advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist as well as medical director of the Heart Transplant and Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) programs. “Many patients waiting for a heart to become available are already in the hospital on a heart pump and/or various types of IV medication.” Anthony Rork’s story follows a similar path.
In the fall of 2017, the former college baseball player and teacher was preparing to become a freshman baseball coach at a high school in Columbus, Indiana. On the first day of school, Rork was forced to call for an ambulance as he suffered a major heart attack. One month later, a second heart attack struck and Rork collapsed on the garage floor. He attributed the attack to continued stress, but physicians in Columbus discovered a blood clot in the left side of his heart. After a couple of months, he was still struggling to keep food down. He returned to Fort Wayne for treatment at Lutheran Hospital, where doctors put in two stents. Unable to work, Rork was fitted with a vest defibrillator and placed on the list for a heart transplant.
Two years transpired with visits in and out of the hospital. Rork was taking medication to combat retaining fluid. During a two-week stay, he began to draw to help pass the time. “I started doodling, but didn’t complete the drawing at the time,” said Rork. He had good reason, receiving the news a compatible heart had become available. Hannah Copeland, M.D., FACS, FACC, surgical director of the transplant program was dispatched immediately.
"On paper, the potential donor heart looked good," said Copeland. "We went to visualize, inspect and procure the potential donor heart in person, while Mr. Rork waited in the operating room. But as sometimes happens, we found that the donor heart had deteriorated and there was failure of the right side of the heart. The donor heart had become unacceptable for transplantation." For the time being, Rork would have to wait.
"Appropriate donor selection and management is paramount in maintaining and optimizing outcomes following heart transplantation,” says Brady Dubois, CEO. “After evaluating several parameters, Dr. Copeland's next step was to evaluate the donor heart for size, any signs of possible injury and any other issues that may negatively impact the recipient's chances of a favorable outcome.”
“They took me back to my room and two weeks later ended up putting a balloon pump in while I waited for another heart,” added Rork. “A month after that, they found one.”
This time, the heart passed the critical inspection. Following a successful heart transplant, Rork almost immediately felt better and was anxious to get started on the road to recovery. Dr. Mohammed explained that he may not be able to walk right away but not to get discouraged. That turned out to be a key motivator. “I did push myself. And I was up walking in the room within a couple days,” Rork explains.
“It is our job to ensure that the transplant recipient not only receives the ‘gift of life,’ but is given the best possible chance to maximize their overall quality of life post-transplant,” adds Dubois. ”A donated organ truly is a gift and not one that is taken lightly. We want to make absolutely sure that we honor the donor and their family by doing everything in our power to ensure that their selflessness results in the best possible second chance for a complete stranger; someone that they will most likely never meet."
Anthony Rork’s journey was not complete, despite a successful transplant and start to recovery. Just as he was about to be released from the hospital, he developed an obstruction in his intestine, resulting in emergency stomach surgery, 18 staples and an additional month in the hospital. Rork claims that experience was far worse than the heart transplant, illustrating how much he appreciated the life-saving heart procedure and the care he received.
“My experience was all positive,” said Rork. “I was ready and eager to get out in the world. They’re good working with you in rehab to get you out walking and stuff. Everyone takes your stomach muscles - your core muscles - for granted. You use them all the time. It’s hard.”
Although his initial foray into drawing was paused for a while, Rork is once again using drawing to help him achieve his goals. “A couple weeks ago, I started a sketch of my dog, who was about to have a litter,” he said. “I was just buying time trying to get myself capable of doing things. My next goal is to design a ‘Thank You’ card for the hospital.”
It appears Rork, along with his dog’s seven puppies, are all doing just fine.
To fully optimize heart health, it is important to schedule annual physical exams with a primary care provider to detect unexpected issues or assess potential risk factors. To find a primary care provider or to schedule an appointment, call (833) LHN-4YOU or visit https://www.lutheranhealthphysicians.com/all-appointments.
Back