HEART TO HEART
UF Health heart patients share stories of challenges and triumph
UF Health is proud to have been entrusted by so many patients to address countless heart issues experienced by people from all over the world. The gratification that comes from helping these patients is what drives us to do what we do. By helping these patients with their hearts, we hope to touch yours with these heart-warming stories.
Ocala native Lizeth Chavez-Mendez, 31, always knew she would need a heart transplant. She was born with a congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome and had three lifesaving surgeries during her childhood.
In the fall of 2018, Chavez-Mendez became very sick. She finally needed a heart transplant, and in October 2019, she came to live at UF Health while awaiting her procedure. Throughout her stay, she received care from F. Jay Fricker, M.D., eminent scholar and professor of medicine at the UF College of Medicine, Juan Aranda, M.D., FACC, professor of medicine and chief of cardiology at the UF College of Medicine and Juan Vilaro, M.D., associate professor of medicine in the division of cardiovascular medicine at the UF College of Medicine.
Chavez-Mendez received a new heart in July 2020, but shortly afterward, she became septic. Her liver had failed, but she was able to have it transplanted at UF Health Heart & Vascular Hospital in time.
Now, nearly two years later as a double transplant survivor, Chavez-Mendez continues to be managed for organ rejection, but she is enjoying her life, is engaged to be married and is excited about her future.
Michael Jansen, 67, was diagnosed with heart failure in 2015 at an Orlando hospital. He became progressively more debilitated and immobile due to his condition as the years went on.
Jansen’s son, a cardiologist who completed his medical training and cardiology fellowship at the UF College of Medicine, urged him to leave Palm Beach and come to UF Health Heart & Vascular Hospital for care. After two emergency flights to Gainesville, Jansen had a Left Ventricular Assist Device, or LVAD, implanted in 2019 under the care of Mustafa Ahmed, M.D., associate professor of medicine in the division of cardiovascular medicine at the UF College of Medicine.
After being put on the heart transplant waiting list, Jansen and his wife moved to Gainesville to be in close proximity if and when a heart becomes available for him. With his LVAD, he is able to walk five to six miles a day, and he makes it a point to take pleasure in every day of his life, especially with his grandchildren.
Jansen also serves as a patient resource for UF Health patients considering LVAD, sharing his own experiences and outcomes to help quell their anxiety about the implant.
Noah Jaradat, 17, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome at just 9 days old. He moved to Gainesville at 2-and-a-half years old and has been cared for by UF Health faculty and staff ever since.
He’s had three surgeries since birth and several catheterizations. His last operation — the Ross procedure — took place when he was 13 years old. Mark Bleiweis, M.D., UF College of Medicine transplant surgeon and director and principal cardiothoracic surgeon for the UF Health Congenital Heart Center, replaced Noah’s aortic valve with Noah’s own pulmonary valve, then replaced the pulmonary valve with a pig valve.
“Before my last operation, I couldn’t keep up playing basketball — never got out of second gear,” Noah said. “Now, I can breathe well; before it was like a belt was around my chest, I couldn’t take a deep breath.”
The surgery has transformed Noah’s life. He is now a healthy, athletic teen who aspires to be a physician one day. He said he faces no real restrictions on activity and sees his doctor once a year.
