I have been asked by a publisher to write a history of my life, which, apparently is extremely interesting. It will take me a few years to finish, but the contents of it will be kept here under the menu, “My Life So Far”. I am also transcribing my old journal entries that I have kept over the decades. This is also taking a long time, but these can be soon by clicking on the date links located at the lower left of this page.
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The following post here is simply a brief history of my heart transplant from 2008.
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It was the middle of an unusually cold, yet calm night in late September in my precious hometown of Rockford, IL that I’ll never forget. I was strapped helpless and clueless on a hospital gurney, being rushed through the sterile, white-painted cement tunnels of Saint Anthony Hospital. Looking up, I could see the eyes of my younger sister, Sue, chasing right behind me. Her tear-filled eyes, caused mine to well up too. I had absolutely NO IDEA how gravely ill I was. The failing of the heart that I was born with, was causing the rest of my organs to fail, too.I confessed to her, “I’m scared Sue! I had no idea this was so serious!” — That was the first moment that I finally felt the frigid truth of how fragile my life was.
Wearing only my hospital gown, and a thin blanket, I was whisked out of double doors and thrust into the harsh cold, night. Before me were the bright lights and loud air-chopping sounds of a waiting helicopter. Forty-five minutes later, I was unloaded into the care of people who could give me new hope.
“We think you should begin planning for Steve’s death.”
Those were the devastating words uttered to my mom and sister in a private consultation room about a week earlier. Several feet away, heavily sedated in morphine bliss, my feeble, jaundiced body continued begging my enlarged, failing heart for more and more oxygen rich blood. I was utterly unaware of the severe dire straits I was in. I literally had hours or a few days to live. Even though I knew I was suffering from a severe case of congestive heart failure, it never occurred to me that my death was so imminent, after all, I was only 39 and in the care of trained medical professionals. The reality was, if I weren’t moved to a facility qualified and equipped to perform heart transplants as soon as possible, my life was doomed.
Even though my local cardiologist had given up me, fortunately for me, my sister had given up on him. She refused to believe that my tenure on this earth was due to expire any time soon. After being turned away at the last minute by the hospital at the University of Wisconsin in Madison (because my insurance status was still pending), Sue spent every waking moment reaching out through whatever means possible to people and organizations who might take pity on my plight and help out somehow! Not only was she was in contact with the producers of Oprah Winfrey, but also local and even national politicians (including President Bush’s office as well). She also tirelessly called and emailed letters to hospitals all over the country that were qualified to perform heart transplants (very few are).
The next several days of nail-biting anguish and anticipation while waiting for any kind of response to my sister’s inquiries were brutal. Still keeping me in the dark about the real danger I was in, since the real truth would have unnecessarily upset me (I was never told, for instance, that the cardiologist wanted to put a sign outside my hospital room door: “DNR” meaning, “DO NOT RESUSCITATE”), I was, ironically, the one most at peace.
Finally, before all hope was lost, someone responded to my sister’s email. Christ Advocate Hospital in a distant southern suburb of Chicago, was starting up a heart transplant program of their own, and were looking for candidates who would likely have good outcomes. Even though my insurance matters were not finally resolved, it was only a matter of several hours before I was being prepped for my first, and so far, only, helicopter ride.
Christ Advocate did a great job reinforcing the grossly enlarged, mass of tissue that my heart had morphed into, but, as fate would have it, I was later transferred by ambulance through the busy streets of Chicago to a hospital that has a long history of successful heart transplants, Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago, home to some of the finest medical professionals on the earth; that includes the physicians, interns, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutritionists, nurses’ aides, technicians, etc, etc. etc.
After only a few more weeks, the Northwestern cardiac team determined that I was healthy enough to be placed on the UNOS list (United Network for Organ Sharing (www.unos.org). After only three days of being on the list, (most have to wait several months if not even years), I got the long-awaited call that saved my life. World renowned surgeon, Dr. Patrick McCarthy, called late one night and told me that they had “a Cadillac of a heart.” November 10, 2008, was the fateful day that while tragic for one family, was miraculous for mine. I was put under and didn’t wake up for another 27 hours. I had all kinds of tubes and wires attached to me and spent the next several weeks mostly tethered to the wall and having to re-learn how to walk. I was eventually released a week or so before Christmas. Needless to say, Christmas 2008 was particularly special for me and my family.
November 11, 2008 – Day after Transplant
That was five years ago. Just last month, I had my fifth annual checkup at Northwestern. I am pleased to report that, thanks to the selfless generosity of some anonymous person who gave me the gift of life, his or heart is still beating as strong as ever now inside me!
Today is Christmas 2013 and, while we’re all in the giving spirit, I feel compelled to challenge everyone reading this to resolve RIGHT NOW to give the greatest gift you could possibly give, a gift that actually costs you nothing, the gift of life.
The Day After
Your timely or untimely demise could potentially save the lives of at least seven other people, and greatly improve the quality of life of so many more. It’s a horrible, crying shame that the number of people who are in need of a life-saving transplant is much greater than those willing to provide. That ratio should be reversed.
I urge you, if you are not already an organ/tissue donor, PLEASE click the link below and “Register” to become a donor RIGHT NOW! If you already ARE a donor, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! — Please feel free to spread my story to everyone you know as well.
God bless and Merry Christmas!!
Steven Berg
stevenwberg@stevenwberg.com
twitter: @stevenwberg
(P.S. To learn more about my story, or if you would like to contact me for any other reason, I’d love to hear from you!)
My heart goes out to you. I wish you well. God bless.
Thank you so much, Dave! God bless you, too!
Steve, my heart goes out to you… you have been through so much… only Jesus and perhaps Paul could understand. I am so thankful for the miracle of life that has been given to you through your new heart!!! I know Jesus will give you a whole new and wonderful life to go with it! His Love is always with us… His tender care and mercy never end… May his hand of Love be so evident to you as you see His Grace and Love at work in your up comming future with Him…
Steve, bob and i miss you so much… and would love to see you anytime you are around and feel up to it…
luv you in Christ,
Sandi and Bob Pleva
Thanks, Dave! Thanks Sandi!
Steve,
Oh, my gosh!! I would never have guessed the harrowing experiences you have endured by seeing your pic on Facebook. You look so good, happy and healthy on there!!!! Steve, we have got to talk, because I can relate to you in some ways, and my heart goes out to you! Thank God for family and friends, and God never faily love for us. I have gone through some similar things in the past year. We have got to talk!! I want to get your address for the upcoming Trinity reunion. Don’t be shy, or embarrassed. Everybody gets hit with something hard in this life, and we all need community. That’s what it is all about!!!
Much love, prayers, and positive thoughts, Steve!!!
Becky Page
Becky, please call me; 612-234-7830
Hi Sandi! — I will be down in Chicago for another biopsy next week. It would be really cool to see you!
Dear Steven. How wonderful it is that you have made it through such a difficult time. It is marvellous that your family pulled together. Enjoy life, hope for more time with your son and just keep getting stronger.
Hi
I am glad to see you are fine now and had recovery from your health problem.
I have read a book in Arabic with title :
In Complimenting what remains by Steven Berg
Are you the author?
if yes how i can get one copy in english ; who is the publisher? or distributer ?
and please can i know more books titles in the same them?
many thanks
A. Al-Yousef
Riyadh-SAUDI ARABIA
I’m sorry, sir, but I have not YET written anything that has been published! My name happens to be very common.
Hi Louise! Your short response was very, very uplifting! I’m sorry it took me so long to respond 🙁 But, better ate than never, right?
Dear Steve,
I am SO glad you are in better health. I am praying for a job-and for your parents. I am asking specifically for God to provide something that will provide for your finances, you meds, and your parents.
God bless,
Becky Page