LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – One Arkansan wasn’t certain if it would happen, but it ended up being a miracle.
Janesha Coleman has been eagerly awaiting a heart transplant for several years. When a generous donation finally came through, she described it as a truly transformative experience.
At the age of 34, Coleman received a diagnosis of congestive heart failure following the birth of her second child in 2019.
Coleman expressed that the constant feeling of drowning overwhelmed him.
Tragically, her health deteriorated further during her subsequent pregnancy in 2022.
Coleman explained that they discovered her left side of the heart was not functioning properly, which led to the need for an impella to be inserted. This medical device greatly improved her breathing.
In November 2023, she was admitted to Baptist Health after her heart stopped for a second time. She was placed on a waiting list for a heart transplant.
According to officials from ARORA, there are currently over 3,300 individuals listed on the national organ waiting list, eagerly awaiting a heart transplant.
Coleman emphasized the unpredictable nature of life, stating, “You never know what is going to happen and you never know when your time is coming.”
Hope arrived for Coleman sooner than she had anticipated.
“I was informed on December 1st that I would be getting the heart,” she recalled. “I have a vague memory of being on the operating table, but after that, everything is a blur until I woke up.”
In a recent interview with KARK 4 News, Coleman shared her experience eight weeks after undergoing surgery. She revealed that she now has to adapt to a new reality due to the ongoing flu season.
“I must wear a mask and gloves due to my weakened immune system,” she explained.
Coleman embraces the stitches on her chest from her transplant as a constant reminder of her strength and resilience. As a single mother of three children, she fought relentlessly, driven by her unwavering determination to overcome any obstacle.
During the most challenging period of her life, she mentioned that her religion provided her with the strength to persevere.
Coleman expressed her deep concern for her loved ones, praying fervently for their safety and unity. She hoped that they would remain unharmed, and in the event that anything were to happen to her, she wished for them to stay together.
I am grateful to my guardian angel, the organ donor, for giving me a new lease on life.
Coleman expressed gratitude for receiving someone else’s heart as a donor, acknowledging the immense value of their selfless act.
She expressed her gratitude for her faith and acknowledged the value of every breath, emphasizing that she does not take her health for granted.
“It’s a whirlwind of emotions for me, knowing that I have been blessed with a new heart,” exclaimed Coleman. “Undergoing an open-heart transplant is nothing short of a miracle, and I firmly believe that it is a testament to the power of God.”
Coleman shared that she must take 18 medications as a result of the transplant in order to witness her children’s growth and development.
“I pray that my heart does not reject and that I can continue to be present. I hope that God continues to bless me,” she expressed.
Algerita Coleman, her mother, is overjoyed that her daughter is no longer in pain.
“I felt a heavy sense of helplessness, unable to do anything for her in that situation,” she expressed. “To see her as a young mother, driven by the determination to provide her children with a present and future with their mother, highlighted her exceptional parenting abilities surpassing mine.”
Coleman doesn’t mind that her time with loved ones may look different for a while.
She mentioned that whenever her family visits, they also wear masks.
When Coleman experiences feelings of being lost or doubts, she often turns to her faith for guidance and support.
“I believe that God places us in certain situations to test our strength and faith in Him,” she expressed. “While I have always had a close relationship with God, this experience has truly deepened that bond.”
She is embracing her new life with her new heart, finding joy in every moment.
Coleman expressed deep gratitude, stating, “I truly believe that I have been blessed with a second chance in life.”
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