Special transplant patient marches on

by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations

Goose Creek resident John Bryant has a good idea of what Lazarus of the bible must have felt like. Like Lazarus, Bryant literally “rose from the dead” in spring 1997 thanks to a life-saving device which granted him time and two transplants. He also got a second chance at life.

Bryant, a 62 year-old retired truck driver is the second person in South Carolina to receive a heart-kidney transplant. He also became the first person in the state to be kept alive on a heart pump while waiting for a heart transplant. Bryant, plagued by life-long heart problems, arrived at MUSC gravely ill. MUSC doctors were able to implant a left ventricular assist device commonly called an LVAD which helped to pump blood through his heart. The air-powered pump is located near the heart and performs the job of the left ventricle, the chamber that pumps blood back through the body. An external line connects the device to a machine that regulates the air pulse through the pump. LVAD kept Bryant alive for months as he waited for a heart and kidney to become available.

Following the implant, Bryant was introduced to physical therapist Lana Sineath who was charged with helping him regain and develop muscle strength. “Mr. Bryant was extremely weak when we started therapy,” recalls Sineath who works in transplant rehabilitation at MUSC. “He couldn’t even raise his arms off the bed.” Bryant’s condition was caused by prolonged bed rest and medication which resulted in muscle atrophy.

Sineath worked closely with Bryant improving both muscle strength and function by introducing a regimen of stretches and exercises. Gradually, Bryant improved and began walking first using a treadmill and ultimately, a stair machine. Doctors were pleased with his progress.

Following the availability of a donor heart and kidney, Bryant’s transplant was performed on June 27 by MUSC thoracic organ transplant surgeon Jack Crumbley, M.D. The day after the procedure, Bryant returned to Sineath for post-transplant rehabilitation.

“His recovery was a day-to-day ordeal,” said Sineath. “For most tranplant patients, everything’s OK but the heart. It wasn’t that way for Mr. Bryant. To move ahead in his recovery, we learned to push more, together.”

For years, Sineath’s direction has successfully blended patient rehabilitation and the Bridge Walk as a positive, physical aspect of the recovery effort.

Another heart recipient, Robert Doyle, also struggled through setbacks following transplant surgery in summer 1997. Following a successful procedure, Doyle was determined for a speedy recovery. Almost immediately, Doyle began walking—building strength and endurance. Soon he was walking four to five miles a day. Then Doyle caught a lung infection which halted all physical activity and landed him back in the hospital.

“My second recovery effort was not a smooth ride,” said Doyle, a 55 year-old retiree from Columbia. “It was more like a roller coaster.” Yet Doyle was determined to do something with his life. He’s back to walking, swimming and working out, but at a much slower pace. “Today, I have a lot {better} quality of life.”

Like Doyle, Bryant is focused on training for tomorrow's Cooper River Bridge Walk event. He and his wife walk two miles daily in preparation for the event. He continues to use a stair machine and stays active. Bryant looks forward to reuniting with former tranplant patients Fred Nutting and David Mahaffney of Greenville, Doyle, plus other patients, families, therapists, friends and supporters at the Bridge Walk. He’ll also take his place walking beside his grandchildren during the four-mile trek.

“I’m very proud of their tenaciousness and accomplishments,” said Sineath, who plans to walk with the group of T-shirt-clad transplant patients.” It’s evidence of how far they’ve come. It was very natural for these patients to question their potential and be hesitant about discovering their abilities. Now, they realize they can continue to live independent lives, as long as they keep up with their healthy habits and exercise regime.”

Asked about his plans and physical goals for 1998, Bryant smiles. “The only goal a person in my situation can possibly have is to try to make some type of improvement everyday.” It’s a good philosophy for someone who, like hundreds of other successful transplant patients, continues to march on.

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