Heartfelt Thanks for a New Heart

Firefighters are adept at recognizing when action is needed. Bob Blanchard, the former chief of the Wenham Fire Department, is no exception. He can assess situations swiftly and adjust to evolving circumstances, a skill he also applies to his health.

In 2022, when his brother succumbed to a heart condition, coupled with his history of cardiac issues, Bob understood the importance of heeding warning signs. After surgery in 2009 for a valve replacement and aneurysm repair and a 2018 diagnosis of heart failure, he worked closely with BILH-Beverly Cardiologist Edward Loughery, MD, and Helene Hutchinson, NP. Bob also sought the expertise of Marwa Sabe, MD, MPH, Associate Director of the Advanced Heart Failure Program and Medical Director of the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, who had cared for his brother. Although Bob didn't require advanced therapies then, he continued to be seen regularly by Dr. Sabe as a precautionary measure.

Managing Heart Failure 

Following a busy 38-year career, Bob stayed active in retirement, volunteering extensively in the community, spending time with his grandson after school, and taking care of his home.  "Some days I'd walk 14,000 steps just puttering around the [house and yard.]" But all that changed late last summer. Bob found himself uncharacteristically tired, winded, and unable to tend to the simplest tasks. "I spent a lot of last summer just sitting on the couch," he remembers.

Heart failure is a chronic condition that develops when the heart has weakened or becomes too stiff to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. "If the condition worsens and develops into advanced heart failure, as Bob experienced, medications alone are no longer successful for treatment," explains Dr. Sabe.

Given his change in symptoms, Dr. Sabe ordered tests to assess the severity of his condition and the need for advanced therapies. She performed an invasive imaging procedure (right heart catheterization), which revealed what she suspected: his heart was not pumping enough blood, and this was the time to act to save his other organs. "I admitted Bob to the hospital and we evaluated our options right away," says Dr. Sabe. "As we went through our checklist, we discussed that Bob was a candidate for a heart transplant." He was moved to the ICU on the sixth floor of BIDMC's Klarman Building and placed on a temporary heart pump, a lifesaving device implanted to maintain his heart function while he waited for a heart transplant.

"Mr. Blanchard had a great deal of insight given his family history, but even with that knowledge, it is often a shock when a patient is told 'this is the moment.' If the condition worsens and medications alone are no longer successful for treatment, we must act fast to preserve other organ functions,” says Dr. Sabe.

Helping Others

Suddenly finding himself in the hospital, worried and uncertain as he and the family awaited news of a donor, Bob realized he needed something positive to focus on. Without hesitation, he decided he would do something to give back to the community. "Bob has always been a huge volunteer … and decided to sponsor a blood drive," says Debby. "He kept saying, 'We need to refill the banks for me and other patients.'" Despite being unable to attend, Bob's children orchestrated a highly successful event, attracting over 80 blood donors who were greeted by a life-sized photo cutout of Bob, emanating warmth and gratitude. "Bob was there in spirit," says Debby.

A Rapid Succession of Events

Bob and Debby met with Masashi Kai, MD, Surgical Director of the BILH Heart Transplant Program, to learn what a heart transplant and recovery would entail. "Dr. Kai was brilliant," says Bob. "I had no fear after talking with him that he wasn't going to do a good job. It was scary, but he put [Debby and me] at ease, and the nurses put us at ease by telling us how good he was. And they were right."

From there, things moved very quickly. "They listed me [on the organ donor list] on a Wednesday, and on Sunday morning, they came in and told me they had found a heart," remembers Bob. "It's miraculous that within four days, they had found a match for me."  On Monday, Dr. Kai and the transplant team performed the eight-hour surgery, and Bob had a new heart.

Recovery

The Klarman Building provided Bob with an ideal setting for his recovery.

"Even before his surgery, as soon as we stepped inside the building, I noticed the abundance of natural light and knew that Bob's spirits would be boosted," says Debby.  During his lengthy hospitalization, Bob was in several rooms throughout the building – all of which were light-filled and spacious, with maximum privacy.

For Bob, who was enduring challenging therapies, tests, and treatments every day as he worked hard to recover, the building's rooftop healing garden was the greatest reward. "There was a joke among my physical and occupational therapists that if I completed my exercises, they would take me out to the garden," Bob remembers. It was still warm in late September. Bob described breathing in the fresh air in the garden's tranquil setting, and the freedom he felt being out of his hospital room. "It was a real morale boost, to say the least."

A Welcome Homecoming

Following his discharge to a rehabilitation facility, Bob returned home to Chebacco Lake in Hamilton. His journey was marked by a heartfelt welcome from four local fire departments and an escort from the State police. Through the Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home program, Bob continued to receive care from visiting nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and a social worker who all communicated closely with the transplant team and made his transition back to daily life smoother.

"To reflect on the experience is a little overwhelming," says Debby. "But from the beginning, we have felt supported by the whole transplant team – and it's a true team." The specialists within the Heart Failure and Transplant Program include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, and many others working closely together. Debby's regular and open communication with the team members has been particularly reassuring. "I can text them any time of the day or night, I can ask any question, big or small, and I know someone will answer right away," says Debby. "You always feel that you're in good hands."

"It's such a humbling experience to watch our patients go through this whole process. It's been nice to see all our patients, including Mr. Blanchard, do well after a heart transplant.  He sent us a lovely card with his family - and he looked so great…knowing that we helped someone come back to their family and have the energy to do what they love is what drives us to continue to do the work we do.  As strenuous as this job can be at times, it's worth it," shared Dr. Sabe.

"You know, there was a time when it was pretty touch and go," says Bob. "[I was asking myself] Am I going to be here tomorrow? And all I worried about was my family. My grandchildren were my drive…they got me through the tough times. [I remember thinking] if I can get through this, I can see their birthdays and Christmas and holidays with them. And to think I almost didn't have that chance. To all the staff, thank you. From the bottom of my new heart, thank you."

Learn more about the Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Program.