Mel’s Heart Journey

Feb 5th, 2026 I truly don’t have the words to express how grateful I am to live in such a caring community, and to have coworkers and friends who care enough to support me and organize fundraisers on my behalf. The financial stress that comes with needing new organs is overwhelming at times, and working isn’t an option for me right now—something I never thought I’d have to say, especially because I miss it more than I can explain. To everyone who has supported me in any way, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness means more to me than I could ever put into words, and I am so deeply grateful to be surrounded by such compassionate people. For more information on these events or items, please follow the link below.    Melinda's Heart Heeler Fundraiser Kellys Landing  3 Rockwood Road Greenville Junction, ME  207.695.4438                                       ...

There is many things in life that nobody prepares you for, dying, living on borrowed time, and death. Because honestly that’s what it feels like, dying a slow death. Yes transplant is a second chance but the reality and likelihood are also stacked up in odds. So for now when friends, family, acquaintances and strangers all ask me how I am doing, well there really isn’t an answer for that either.  I just say fine and smile and nod.. but in reality I’m so fucking lost. Somewhere along the way the only choices I’ve had were to “be tough”, “stay strong” and “don’t give up”. Yet somehow I feel so numb to it all. Which in my mind, isn’t strong or tough. It’s disassociation. The one thing I can do, and so well. So please forgive me if you catch me off guard in lala land or just not with it because this shit is fucking tough. This is the only way I have learned to cope… yes it’s not healthy but it’s what I can do for the time being, because protecting my brain is all my body ...

  Pink skies, hitting the homeland, man, everything feels so surreal now. Almost like some sort of movie. I am Home.  Thank you all for continuing to support me through this life changing time, words cant descrie how loved I feel, how I have impacted just a moment of someones life, you never really know how special you are till those moments come.  Now, the medical news, as of right now, I am deemed "too healthy" for a double transplant. This might sound confusing to you, but to me and my family, it's a huge relief. All I had asked for was some more time with my old heart before the unknown had begun.  The time I get to spend with my loved ones, friends, and even the nice strangers who helped me along the way. Time. What an interesting concept when it comes down to it, really.  But man, am I joyed to have just a little more of it.  This doesn't mean transplant isn't forseen in the near future, but for now, my stubborn ass isn't going anywhere. My doctors an...

Where do I begin.... October 8th- Now that the immediate family and friends have been notified. I am being admitted to Mass General Hospital on Friday to continue transplant evaluations and treatments at this time. I don’t have a timeline for how long I’ll be or what the plan is next, but I should be learning of that soon. I haven’t had time to write any blog posts due to scrambling to get things together in such a short time, but I promise to update everyone when I know what’s going on myself. Please keep sending positive vibes and thoughts as I start the next leg of the transplant journey. October 14th- Heading in for a Cardiac Catheterization this morning around 10:00am, hopefully we get some answers and a game plan after! Wish me luck! October 17th- Little update, I’ve made it a week so far, lots of needles, blood work, testing, CT scans, X-rays, the whole shebang. As for today, heading back in for another cardiac cath to see if putting a stent in will help my oxygen levels rise a...

 Hello all, another update Mass General Hospital called me to set up the evaluation date for my liver transplant, which will be on October 20, and another all-day appointment. I am hoping that having two transplant teams doesn't get as confusing as it sounds, but I'm glad I am in very capable hands.  We went over just the basics for that appointment, which will require me to meet with the transplant surgeon, nurses, and doctors, as well as the coordinator and social worker. So it's very similar to the steps of the heart transplant, but very different at the same time, so it'll be an experience. As of right now, I am scheduled for quite a bit of my time in Massachusetts.  So if anybody has any idea of good soups, pasta, and or home comfort food while I'm down there, let me know. At this point, I'll eventually become a Bostonian, but we're not there yet. 

   Hello all,    Just an update for everyone who follows this blog. I had my stress test done at Maine Medical Center on September 15th, as well as a pulmonary function test. Those tests are required for my evaluation for transplant, so they had to be done, and I'll probably have to do a few more of those as time goes on. I got a call from my first cardiac catheterization, which they will be doing to see if they can close up any of those collateral vessels in my left lung, so that when surgery comes, not so many complications will happen. I will also be having a few more of those before the big surgery. It'll all depend on how I recover and recoup. Unfortunately, we are still a ways to go as I've only met half the specialists that I need to meet so far. Many people don't understand that transplant evaluations take a lot of time. So as I wait for those appointments, I try to continue to stay busy with little hobbies and projects on the side. I am unfortunately not wor...