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COLERIDGE – Jim Fish is a heart transplant warrior with the scars and shirt to prove it.
Wearing a T-shirt with those words bold on the front and a Donate Life armband, Fish is the proud recipient of the most loving of gifts – a heart.
The magnitude of the incredible gift is not lost on Jim or his wife, Barb, as this Valentine’s Day holiday takes on new meaning.
“It’s been a gift for us but it’s been really difficult for us to think about the family who lost a loved one,” Barb said. “It’s not all peaches and cream for us because of that. It’s something that we were waiting in the hospital and hoping he’s improving but they (donor’s family) were planning a funeral. That was hard to take and it still is.”
Jim’s health problems can be traced back to 2008 and a spider bite.
“I was working on a cultivator in some weeds and I got bit by a spider,” he said. “Being a farm boy, I thought, ‘Oh, it’s nothing.’ I just smashed it and didn’t think anything of it.”
It wasn’t until much later, Jim started experiencing symptoms of swelling and shortness of breath that lead him to seek medical treatment. He was shocked to learn a diagnosis of congestive heart failure without any family history of heart issues.
Doctors gave him one year to live without any interventions.
“I just went in for a physical and a visit to see if they can figure out what was going on. To get that news was gut wrenching,” Jim said. “The only thing they could figure out is I got a virus from the spider that attacked my heart.”
Medications and other interventions were attempted before doctors implanted a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in his chest in January 2023. The device gave him a new lease on life, with LVAD systems lasting about 10 to 15 years.
“I never dreamt they could sew a pump to my heart and make it work,” Jim said.
But the LVAD was cumbersome and heavy. Jim had to be mindful of its battery life and it restricted many activities he enjoyed.
He was “bound and determined” to get a heart transplant and was put on the waiting list.
Jim’s motivation for the transplant came in the form of hugs from his 7-year-old granddaughter.
“I told her a long time ago that if grandpa got a heart,we would run and play again,” he said.
Resigned to wait years, the Fishes were surprised to get the news of a heart ready for transplant after just 11 months. They also happened to be at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha at appointments when they received word.
“I went from just a day of appointments to prepping for surgery,” Jim said.
He received his new heart Dec. 21, 2023, and he was able to return to his Coleridge home the first week in January.
“We were so grateful we were down there and before the blizzard season,” Barb said. “That would’ve been heart wrenching not to get there.”
A transplanted heart averages about 10-15 years but some last much longer. Jim turns 64 later this month and another 10 to 15 years is something he takes to heart.
Seven weeks out from his life-saving surgery, Jim now gets a thorough checkup at UNMC every two weeks where doctors take a biopsy sample of his new heart to check for any signs of rejection.
“So far, there has been no sign of rejection and everything healed up just fine,” Jim said. “There were some days you wondered, oh man, is this really worth it? There was pain. It took awhile for all the nerves they cut when they take the old heart out, they have to grow back and re-attach and that takes quite awhile.”
He recently started cardiac rehab therapy three times a week. “One of the stipulations when considering a transplant is they ask you, ‘Are you going to take good care of this?’” Barb said. “That’s one of the things discussed and very clearly made known, we’re going to do this and you have to take care of what you’re given.’” Jim, who had been exercising prior to the transplant, welcomes an additional regimen to help improve his strength. Even though he’s doing well, the Fishes really take each day as they come. “You have your up and down days but it’s getting better all the time,” Jim said. The Fishes reflect back on the whirlwind of the last year and especially the last seven weeks and are profoundly grateful from the bottom of their hearts. Words cannot convey the excellent support and care received by the medical professionals at UNMC, Barb said. The Coleridge community, where Jim has lived his entire life, organized a benefit dinner last year where more than 500 people attended. All of the Coleridge churches had Jim on the prayer list. Neighbors fed the Fishes’ cat and made sure to clear their driveway. Friends and family slept on the floor of the hospital room awaiting word Jim had made it through surgery.
People who stopped by with food, or sent cards, text messages and words of encouragement meant so much, too.
“The close-knit community we have is just phenomenal,” Barb said. “It was great to have that, knowing everyone was there to support us and were praying.”
His story has opened up the opportunity to have more conversations about organ donation.
“We encourage people to think past the moment in time to open their hearts to people in need,” Barb said.
Jim was recently cleared to drive again and Barb returned to work. They were able to celebrate Christmas with family last weekend.
And many more bright days are ahead.
The LVAD system and being on the transplant list, limited the couple from traveling so they hope to hit the road in their fifthwheel later this fall to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
Jim is also looking forward to hunting and fishing trips that have been annual family traditions for more than 25 years.
He hopes there’s a lot of sidewalk chalk, hopscotch and watching his granddaughter grow up . . . with plenty of hugs along the way.
