Teenager gets heart transplant, fundraiser planned for Saturday
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 6, 2016 1:46 PM
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Ashley Larimore reacts as she listens to her new heart for the first time after her March 11 transplant at Duke Hospital.
Ashley Larimore's heart has always been in the right place -- prioritizing faith and family and thinking of others before herself.
Even when her own physical heart appeared to be failing.
Born a twin, brother Matthew weighed 2 pounds, 1 ounce while Ashley weighed a mere one pound, 12 ounces. The premature siblings had complications, and Matthew did not survive, dying 30 days after being delivered.
As she got older, a heart transplant was mentioned. She was placed on the transplant list in August 2015.
The 17-year-old senior at Wayne Early/Middle College High School worked to complete her studies, including the graduation project, before Christmas.
In December she packed her bags in preparation to spend the holidays at Duke Hospital, awaiting the surgery. Instead, she was sent home to wait until a donor was found.
She took it all in stride, maintaining that she would get the perfect heart on the perfect day.
Several weeks ago, she experienced extreme tiredness and dizziness. But her faith remained strong.
When a new friend at Duke got his heart in early March, she did not begrudge him at all, she says.
"My mom was like she didn't understand why it wasn't my heart," she said. "I told her, that's not my heart, and then the next day we got our call."
That was March 10.
Her transplant was March 11.
Five days later, she was moved to a regular room.
Two weeks post transplant, she was home, just in time to attend Easter services at her church, Garris Chapel United Methodist.
"I'm pretty good," she said Thursday. "I have got more energy than before the transplant but my cardiologist said it will take about six months to get back to my normal self."
She has already had one biopsy, with another scheduled for this week, but so far has been told the new heart shows no sign of rejection. Ultimately, she will remain on anti-rejection drugs, which keep the medical costs piling up.
The family's church began efforts for a fundraiser even before the operation took place.
"We have done several fundraisers, several little things but this is going to be the big thing," church member Sabrina Paphitis said of festivities planned for Saturday, April 9, at the church.
The "New Heart, New Start" benefit will feature a barbecue plate sale from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m., with a silent auction and live auction, which starts at 7 p.m. The sale will feature eat-in and drive-through options for the midday meal and eat-in only for dinner. Plates are being sold for $8 each.
The effort is also a way to show support to the beloved family, Ms. Paphitis said.
"They're such an integral part of our church and have done so much for our church," she said. "Linda and Greg have always been active with our youth and they have held several positions in the church.
"They're probably the first ones there and the last ones to leave."
The live auction has already netted a wide variety of donations, like a four-day travel package to New York City.
"People have donated places at the beach, everything from a restaurant gift card to different services and home- baked goods," Ms. Paphitis said.
For Ashley, the whole experience has just solidified more than ever the career choice she set her sights on years ago -- becoming a nurse. Only now, she is more specific, focusing her desire to work in PCICU, the pediatric cardiology intensive care unit.
"The night I got there, I had met all of the nurses before because of my stay in December. I walked in and everyone was just excited. A lot of the nurses I had were on call but there was one nurse (who was especially attentive)," she said. "I don't know. I guess I've always wanted to be a nurse.
"I feel like being in the PCICU, you get more one-on-one. That has driven me more. You get to build that bond between you and your patient."
She has already done her research on what it takes to become qualified, she said.
"With my two-year associate's degree, I will only need two years (of college) after that," she said.
While she will walk across the stage at graduation next month, she plans to return next year for the "fifth-year" option, during which she can complete requirements for her two-year associate's degree. Come next May, she will be halfway to her goal of becoming a nurse.
"It's exciting," she said.
A special account has been set up for the family to assist with expenses throughout the journey. Information about tickets and other donations can be found online at www.garrischapel.com/ashleys-heart-journey.
To follow Ashley's blog, visit https://ashleysheartjourney.wordpress.com.