Last year was a record-breaking one for Tufts Medical Center’s Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation Programs. The team conducted 61 adult heart transplants, more than any other in New England. It’s an impressive number, but it doesn’t capture how profoundly life-changing a heart transplant is for patients and their families. One of these stories belongs to Ann Fitman, who received the program’s first heart transplant of 2023.
I can't say enough for the care that I received from the whole team. From day one of the evaluation I have felt so supported. I am where I am today because of my donor family and the Tufts Medical Center team’s support and care.
Ann Fitman, heart transplant patient
Ann was born with cardiomyopathy and, as a child, began to suffer from a series of heart-related issues that plagued her as a young adult. After a stroke at 35, Ann’s heart function worsened and left her constantly exhausted. “Towards the end, I'd have to stop partway walking up the stairs,” Ann says. “A couple of years ago, we had gone on a vacation, and it was an eye-opener because I had to stop every five minutes. Right before the transplant, I was really tired.”
Ann’s worsening symptoms were diagnosed as heart failure, and in December 2022, she was admitted to Tufts Medical Center and placed on a heart transplant list. Ann is grateful to surgeon Dr. Masashi Kawabori and the rest of her care team for helping her and her family navigate the daunting process: “I can't say enough for the care that I received from the whole team. From day one of the evaluation I have felt so supported. I am where I am today because of my donor family and the Tufts Medical Center team’s support and care.”
Ann received her new heart in January of last year and is working hard to build her strength and energy. Along with the new heart, Ann and her family are able to do the one thing that seemed impossible during Ann’s worst days—plan for a bright future. “It gives me hope that I can do normal things,” she says. “Everyone wants to do fun things when they retire, maybe travel. Without the heart transplant, I wouldn’t have been able to do that. I’m feeling much better than I did prior to the surgery. I can do the simple things in life that I've enjoyed. Things like making a meal, going for a walk and just being outside. I’m more comfortable talking and laughing—my son said that he had not heard me laugh as much as he has since the surgery. The transplant has given me the gift of time. Time to be with my family. Time to do things that I've always enjoyed. It's giving me hope for my future.”
