A New Heart, A New Start; Angie’s Story

“Since I was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy 14 years ago, I’ve spent the majority of the time trying to hide my illness or brushing it off. I never wanted to admit that I was actually sick and I didn’t want anyone to feel bad for me or look at me any different. I wanted to be a normal girl, with a normal life. But two years ago I started getting really sick. Luckily.. pacemakers are a thing. Which did help but it didn’t solve the whole problem. I know this will be a tough road but I’m more than ready for my body to be able to do all the things I want to do in this life. So I’m happy to announce that as of 5/29/19, I am officially on the heart transplant list.” ‐Angela Tempio via Instagram posted Wednesday 7/24/19. Less than 24 hours after Angela shared this post announcing she had been placed on the heart transplant list she received the call that changed her life. My sister Angela is a beautiful and bright 25‐year‐old who lives on Long Island. Anyone who meets her can’t help but be drawn to her, like moths to a flame. I’ve seen it her entire life. Her huge, contagious smile and warm personality make it impossible not to fall in love with her instantly. During a doctor’s visit for a lingering virus when Angela was 11 years old, her doctor heard what she thought to be an “innocent” heart murmur. After following up with doctors, cardiologists, and specialists she was diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy, a condition that has no cure and eventually would lead to heart failure. For over 14 years Angela has STRUGGLED with this disease. Throughout those years she suffered through countless hospitalizations and procedures including cardioversions, ablations, cardio catheterizations and a defibrillator implanted. Soon this was not enough and at the age of 23, she received a pacemaker. Even with the pacemaker Angela had trouble each day with the most basic things such as breathing, standing and walking. Her heart was failing beyond what technology could overcome. But the thing about my sister is that apart from her family and a few close friends NO ONE knew she was sick. And of the people who did know, even fewer still knew HOW sick she actually was. She didn’t look sick, act sick, complain of feeling sick. My beautiful baby sister is a fierce warrior and she fought her disease HARD. Every day of those 14 years she put on a brave face and lived her life bringing joy and love to anyone who had the privilege of being in her world. Unfortunately, even with the help of her pacemaker basically pumping her heart for her, her quality of life continued to decline (just for a point of reference a normal HR is 60‐100bpm and hers was barely at 30). With another major procedure looming over her she decided it was finally time to take control of her future and be evaluated for the heart transplant list. As of May 29, 2019 she was listed at a status 6. We were told an average wait time for this was between 6 months and a year and a half. We had only begun to prepare ourselves when less than 2 months after she had been listed, she got the call. They had found a heart that the doctors referred to as “a perfect match”. It was, as many would call it, a miracle. Angela was wheeled into the OR at 10:00pm on Thursday, July 25, 2019 and when she woke up from surgery on July 26th, she began her first day of her new life with her new, healthy heart. Recovery has thus far proven equal parts frustrating, painful and exhausting as well as exciting and joyful. We are SO proud of the progress that she has made and there are no words to express how excited we are to see Angela begin to live her life the way she’s always dreamed, no longer having to put on her brave face and pretend she isn’t sick. Her road to recovery will be long and daunting but she is overjoyed to have this opportunity to live fully. She has been documenting her journey and wants to use her experiences and platform to help others suffering through similar heart conditions and to educate people on the importance of organ donation. Angela will be unable to work for a minimum of 6 months as she recovers. As you might imagine, the financial hardships create stress at a time when she must focus on her recovery. Let us pay back the joy and love that has been brought into our lives by this wonderful woman by helping to ease her financial burdens. So, we are asking for any donations to help cover her living expenses for her time out of work and to help offset her medical expenses. Please help us give this beautiful soul a wonderful start to the new life that she truly deserves!