WORTON — It’s been a little more than a year since Mary Ann Christophel, 71, then 69, of Worton, awoke in the recovery room after receiving a heart transplant the day before, with her attending nurse saying, “Happy Valentine’s Day Mrs. Christophel, you have a new heart!” For the former registered nurse, no words could have been sweeter to hear.
The past year since the transplant, has been a great, inspiring time of recovery. “I didn’t have a rejection of the new heart,” said Christophel, “nor any infection”.
In January, 2023, Christophel informed her cardiologist, Erica Feller, that her energy was rapidly declining. She told the doctor, “I’m declining, and I don’t think I’m going to make to summer.”.
She had experienced two previous heart attacks over the years leading up to this. Both times she was revived by electric shocks. The first one came while riding a bike. She said, “I was told I was laying out in the street for quiet a while, but they brought me back — it was a miracle.” The second time while she was driving her car, which fortunately ended up in a open farm field. Again, she was brought back.
She was first informed in 2007 while having an annual physical at age 53 by her doctor that she had an irregular EKG test. She couldn’t believe it. She said, “I felt fine, and I’ve always been active.” However, she began to notice her energy level was slipping.
Christophel received orders to attend cardiac rehabilitation the hospital in Chestertown lwhere she had worked 12-hour shifts caring for patients, previously. She already knew Sherri Hill, who has been the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health clinical coordinator at Cardio Rehab there for many years. Christophel began doing the cardio exercises there, even though she admits, “I had a bad attitude about being there. Sherri encouraged me, as she does everyone who comes.” In the years leading up to her heart transplant, she did as much as she could to strengthen her heart.
In 2021, Christophel’s 25-year-old niece, Ericka Byler, suddenly died from cardiac arrest. It was later discovered, her passing was caused by a ‘DSP gene’ that is inherited and can be associated with other family members, Christophel said, “Until that time, the doctors didn’t know what was causing my heart issue...I was then tested for the gene, and the test came back positive. The only way to solve the problem was to have a heart transplant at this stage of the heart issue with me.”
As her energy level was declining rapidly in January 2023, Feller had Christophel admitted to INOVA Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, and put on a list waiting for a heart. Early in February 2023, a match was found.
“I knew lots of people were praying for me,” she said, “and God was answering those prayers! On the day before my heart transplant surgery, I prayed with my daughter, Julie, and her husband at the hospital, ‘Dear God, I’d love to have a heart on Valentine’s Day.’ “ That prayer was answered too.
Following the successful transplant surgery, Christophel continued to work diligently at the
UM Shore Regional Health’s Centers for Cardio-Pulmonary Fitness & Wellness in Chestertown, following the instruction of Sherri Hill, and cardio rehab specialists, RN’s Robin Parker and Wendy Barnette to make a full recovery. The week of Valentine’s Day 2024, members of her church, Hope Fellowship in Chestertown, along with family, and friends hosted a one-year celebration of her heart transplant.
Christophel said, “For the past year, Sherri, Robin and Wendy; they listen to me, always asking important questions to make sure I’m progressing positively. Going there is my safe place for me to exercise.”
Christophel is married to her longtime sweetheart, Kirk Christophel. They have four children, along with 16 grandchildren. Her parents are Joe and Amanda Byler, who founded the very popular Byler’s Store in Dover, Delaware, where Christophel grew-up.
Local Virginia State
Most Popular
Comments / 0