Inspiring Journey From Heart Failure to Transplant: A Chat With John Sanson
He is an inspiration to many, having shed over 100 pounds, and is currently working in the coffee industry and producing a documentary series. He is now facing $50,000 worth of medical debt due to the high cost of doctor visits but is thank
Podcast
Inspiring Journey From Heart Failure to Transplant: A Chat With John Sanson
July 7, 2023
10 min read
Heart of a Giant
"It's amazing how you get used to living one way, and now you're switching to living a new way.", John Sanson
Episode 10: Bouba sits down with John to talk about living with heart failure, LVAD, and a heart transplant. John Sanson is a Houston-based patient diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 2016 and has since undergone LVAD and transplant procedures.
He is an inspiration to many, having shed over 100 pounds, and is currently working in the coffee industry and producing a documentary series. He is now facing $50,000 worth of medical debt due to the high cost of doctor visits but is thankful to have a job that understands his medical needs.
In This Episode You'll Learn
- John Sanson's story of being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and going through LVAD and a transplant in five or six years.
- The financial burden of navigating the healthcare system and its medical debt.
- John's creative projects including photography and a coffee documentary series.
Episode Highlights
Diagnosis & Rapid Decline
John went from no symptoms to fully symptomatic in three days. He was amazed at how quickly everything happened. Eventually, he was in end-stage heart failure.
Weight Loss Journey
"Right now, I'm 240. I started my journey when I had my LVAD. I lost 140 and got down to 200. But prednisone and other transplant meds do work on your body."
Support System
The biggest support has been his wife, along with family. John also caught COVID while still on LVAD, adding another challenge to navigate.
Medical Debt Reality
"I'm sitting on about $50,000 worth of medical debt that I can't pay just because I'm barely making ends meet." Navigating insurance has been the biggest headache.
Recovery & Moving Forward
John was only on the transplant list for 28 days. He had the LVAD in September 2019 and had a driveline infection that spread to his blood. "My whole thing is to fight back for normality."
Organ Donation
"22 people a day die waiting. Only 60% of people put action behind donating their organs. So take that first step and register."
Connect with John:
Instagram: @thejohnsanny
Listen to More Episodes:
Living With Heart Disease Podcast
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