Bob Aronson

"I may have a new heart for you."

Silence.

"Don't eat anything, drink only sips, pack a bag and come to the hospital as soon as possible."

Bob Aronson received this phone call from Jeffery Hosenpud, M.D., his transplant cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. on Aug. 21. For 68-year-old Aronson, a former broadcast journalist, it was one of the rare moments in his life when he was at a loss for words. Aronson had only been on the heart transplant waiting list for 13 days.

"I knew that people often waited a long time for an organ and many even died waiting, so when Dr. Hosenpud's call came so soon, I was shocked to the point of being dumbfounded," says Aronson.

In 1995, after experiencing shortness of breath, Aronson was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.

"Cardiomyopathy is a fancy word for weakness of the heart muscle," says Dr. Hosenpud. "The heart just doesn't pump properly."

At the time of his diagnosis, Bob was shocked to hear that he might need a heart transplant someday. Even more difficult to believe was that he did not experience any major complications over the next eight years. However, as the disease progressed, Aronson became more and more disabled and the need for a heart transplant became a reality.

"By 2006, I was having difficulty with any exertion — physical or mental. So, I decided to retire and my wife and I moved from our home in Minnesota's Twin Cities to sunny Jacksonville. We chose Jacksonville not only because it is where most of my wife's family lives, but also because the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville has a great record in organ transplantation," explains Aronson. "At the time of our move, I was horribly discouraged with my debilitation. I had to stop and rest even during a brief walk from the family room to the bathroom in our home."

Shortly after arriving in Jacksonville, Aronson visited Mayo Clinic.

"The first thing the Mayo docs asked was whether anyone had talked to me about a heart transplant," says Aronson. "They immediately began extensive evaluation and testing to prepare me for the journey ahead."

On Aug. 9, 2007, Aronson was placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant. He received the call from Dr. Hosenpud on Aug. 21 and rushed to the hospital.

"I'm usually very logical and decisive, but after receiving that call, emotions ruled," says Aronson. "I was thinking, 'this can't be happening, I'm not ready, this is too quick, do I really need a transplant?'"

Aronson's wife, Robin, drove him to the hospital. When they arrived, Aronson went to the reception desk.

"I'm here for a heart transplant," he said.

He expected to be rushed away, but his new heart had not yet been recovered. He signed the appropriate paperwork and contacted family and friends — with thoughts of apprehension, confusion, guilt and sympathy for the donor's family racing through his mind.

The next thing Aronson remembers was waking up in the Intensive Care Unit. Robin was holding his hand and reassuring him, while Bob says, "the monitors in the room seemed to be happily beeping and chirping in tune with my new heart."

Aronson left the Mayo Clinic hospital nine days later to continue his recovery at home. The recovery was not easy. He carefully planned every bite he ate, exercised regularly and went to Mayo four or five times a week for appointments.

"The first five weeks were difficult, but then one day I woke up and suddenly felt like I needed to do something — clean the house, work in my shop, just be busy," says Aronson. "I felt better than I'd felt in 15 years."

Aronson's recovery was progressing smoothly until he contracted pneumonia on Nov. 21.

"It was a huge and dangerous setback," says Aronson. "But thank God for the Mayo experts and the care they provided me during this time—they may have saved my life a second time."

Throughout his recovery, Aronson has been motivated by the knowledge that a total stranger made a decision that allowed him to live.

"I can hear it, I can feel it, and I can feel its effects — but this heart doesn't belong to me," says Aronson. "Just saying that is important because it reminds me that I must take very good care of it. With this gift comes great responsibility and I enthusiastically accept it. I owe my life to my donor and his family. I live because of their compassion and I pray that they know that their loved one lives within me and I will take extra special care of this precious gift."

Aronson also thanks others who have helped him along the way.

"A huge thank you goes to Robin, my wonderful wife and caregiver. Taking care of me has been a full-time job and she's been incredible," says Aronson. "And finally, thank you, Mayo Clinic — you saved my life."

Today, with his new heart and new energy, Aronson is using his journalism and communications background to help other transplant patients around the world. He shares his story and regular updates about his recovery process on his blog, Bob's NewHeart, at http://bobsnewheart.wordpress.com.

He also started a Facebook group for transplant patients, caregivers, donor families and anyone else interested in organ transplantation. If you have a Facebook profile already, search for "Organ Transplant Patients, Friends and You" and join this group. If you don't have a Facebook page, you can visit www.facebook.com and sign up. Facebook is a free social networking site that helps you connect with other people. The following is a description of the transplant group, in Aronson's words:

"Welcome! This group is for and about people with an interest in organ and tissue transplantation. Please join us in listening, helping, telling stories and sharing experiences. Through interaction with each other, we can encourage donation and have a highly rewarding journey through this exciting time."