Sue Baker had become familiar with hospital stays due to her heart troubles that began in 2015. Her condition worsened over time, leading to numerous hospital visits and eventually the need for a pacemaker to regulate her heart. At one point, she even slipped into a coma for five days.
In 2019, as her heart function deteriorated further, Baker underwent a procedure to implant a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a mechanical pump designed to help her heart pump blood throughout her body. Despite living on “batteries and electricity” for years, Baker didn’t let her health issues hold her back. She found love, got married, and started a life with her partner in southeast Georgia.
Realizing that the LVAD was only a temporary solution, Baker was determined to live life to the fullest while she could. After four years with the LVAD, Baker began experiencing dangerous heart rhythms and was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She was put on the transplant list in hopes of receiving a new heart.
During the long wait for a donor, Baker endured painful shocks from her LVAD and pacemaker as her heart struggled to function. Additionally, she faced challenges with high levels of antibodies in her body, putting her at a high risk of organ rejection. Dr. Pareg Patel, her transplant cardiologist, tried various medications, including chemotherapy, to lower the antibody levels.
At one point, Patel proposed a groundbreaking option to Baker: a heart-liver transplant to address the antibody issue. This innovative approach had never been attempted in a patient with an LVAD before, presenting a risky yet potentially life-saving opportunity for Baker. Faced with the choice of experimental surgery or palliative care, Baker bravely opted for the unconventional procedure.
Months passed as Baker underwent treatment and awaited a suitable donor. Despite facing setbacks such as contracting COVID-19 and pneumonia, she remained determined. Finally, in September 2024, Baker received the news that a matching heart and liver were available for her.
The surgery was described as complex and high risk due to Baker’s health complications, but Patel and his team believed it was the best chance for her. The operation would also involve Baker donating her healthy liver to another patient in a domino procedure.
Baker expressed shock and excitement upon hearing the news, while Patel highlighted the significance of the innovative surgery in extending Baker’s life when conventional options seemed limited.
Patel explained that they were successful in reducing antibodies close to zero and that Sue not only received two organs but also became a donor on the same day. Following her surgery, Baker underwent a lengthy recovery period during which she connected with fellow patients in the hospital, offering encouragement and hope to those awaiting transplants. She even received a heartfelt letter from the recipient of her liver. However, tragedy struck when her husband passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest just weeks after her release from the hospital in October 2024. This unexpected loss, coupled with mounting medical bills and funeral costs, plunged Baker into financial turmoil, leading to housing instability and financial strain as she traveled back to the Mayo Clinic for regular check-ups. Despite a modest GoFundMe campaign, Baker faces ongoing medical expenses for the maintenance of her transplanted organs. Mayo Clinic provides financial aid, payment plans, and counseling for uninsured or underinsured patients like Baker.
Drawing support from her church community and a dedicated caretaker named Charlene, Baker remains optimistic and hopes that her pioneering surgery will pave the way for more patients to receive life-saving treatment. She finds comfort in the impact of her procedure and its potential to benefit others in need. Patel mentioned that similar surgeries have been performed since Baker’s groundbreaking operation, with more in progress. Baker’s courage and generosity have created new opportunities for patients in similar situations, bringing hope and extending life-saving options to those in need.
