Transplant and VAD Patients Celebrate Hearts on Valentine's Day

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 14, 2012) — When Peter Forman was forced to retire after his heart began to fail, he thought his 42-year career in the food industry was over.

But after receiving a heart transplant, he's working as a cook in the cafeteria at the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital — back to doing what he loves at the same place he got a new lease on life.

"I couldn't just sit around," Forman said. "I'm happy to be back working in the industry that I love."

Forman, who received a heart transplant two years ago, is one of several UK HealthCare patients who attended a Valentine's Day celebration Tuesday.  All of the patients attending have received heart transplants or Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) implants and are part of the "Heart to Heart" support group that meets monthly at UK HealthCare's Gill Heart Institute.

The patients gathered to hear each other's stories, check on each other's progress, and provide support to those who are going through a similar journey.

Dr. Charles Shelton, a Lexington psychiatrist who received a heart transplant on Dec. 26, 2011, spoke to the group, telling them of his journey as a 49-year-old transplant patient.

Last year, UK HealthCare performed 12 heart transplants and a record 22 VAD implants.

Forman says for him, the journey from a VAD to a heart transplant was made easier by the support he received from the UK doctors and staff and from his daughter, who was his caregiver throughout his illness and recovery.

"Family is the most important thing," Forman said.

For more information on the UK HealthCare's Gill Heart Institute's "Heart to Heart" support group, contact Heather Luck at (859) 323-3517.