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A Kelowna man is reportedly on the mend after undergoing a life-saving heart transplant.
Michael Garding, who owns Omus Band Instrument Repair, has been updating the community on his ongoing health journey after he received his new heart in the early hours of Sunday February 21st.
Originally he was supposed to get a double transplant—a new heart and then a new kidney—which would’ve been an 8-10 hour surgery.
At about 5:30 a.m., his wife Val was told by the surgeon that Garding had a new heart, but they had decided to wait to replace his kidney.
He will be placed back on the kidney transplant list and hopes to get the surgery within the next six months.
By February 28th, Garding was awake and talking.
“The new heart is happily beating in his chest and he is looking forward to being moved out of the CSICU,” Val posted on Facebook.
On March 3rd, less than two weeks after his surgery, Garding went for a walk around the CSICU ward, and talked to Dr. Anson Cheung, who performed the surgery.
“Just got back from a slow 'stroll' around the ward (and I) am completely winded. But then, I expected that,” Garding posted, still having trouble moving around days later.
At this point, Garding said he is still on multiple medications and his body is holding water, something which kept him in the CSICU ward longer than expected.
“This is disheartening, but understandable at the same time,” he posted. “If it wasn't for my wife, I would find this extremely difficult to deal with.”
Overall, he’s stayed pretty positive, although there have been struggles.
“I mentioned to Val yesterday that of all the difficulties in my life, this is by far the toughest, yet, I don't want to miss out any of the experience of this time or journey.”
Now, Garding is waiting to get a hemodialysis line back in, which was removed after suspicion that it caused an infection.
Garding and his wife have expressed gratitude to family and friends, and the hospital staff who have nursed him back to health.
“For anyone who doesn't know, St. Paul's hospital is amazing. The staff is incredibly dedicated and the work they do in truly miraculous.”
Seven months ago Garding's family and friends created a GoFundMe page in support of the family, which has steadily raised more than $25,000.
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