D'Zhana now has a heart
MIAMI — D'Zhana Simmons says she felt like a "fake person" for 118 days when she had no heart beating in her chest.
C.M. Guerrero/AP
Fourteen-year-old D'Zhana Simmons sheds a tear of joy at a press conference Wednesday in Miami. D'Zhana was kept alive for 118 days with a custom-made artificial heart while awaiting a second transplant.
"But I know that I really was here," the 14-year-old said, "and I did live without a heart."
As she was being released Wednesday from a Miami hospital, the shy teen seemed in awe of what she's endured. Since July, she's had two heart transplants and survived with artificial heart pumps — but no heart — for four months between the transplants.
Last spring, D'Zhana and her parents learned she had an enlarged heart that was too weak to sufficiently pump blood. They traveled from their home in Clinton, S.C., to Holtz Children's Hospital in Miami for a transplant.
But her new heart didn't work properly and could have ruptured, so surgeons removed it two days later.
And they did something unusual, especially for a young patient: They replaced the heart with a pair of artificial pumping devices that kept blood flowing through her body until she could have a second transplant.
Dr. Peter Wearden, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh who works with the kind of pumps used in this case, said what the Miami medical team managed to do "is a big deal."
"For (more than) 100 days, there was no heart in this girl's body? That is pretty amazing," Wearden said.
The pumps, ventricular assist devices, are typically used with a heart still in place to help the chambers circulate blood. With D'Zhana's heart removed, doctors at Holtz Children's Hospital crafted substitute heart chambers and connected these to the two pumps.
Although artificial hearts have been approved for adults, none has been federally approved for use in children.
Dr. Marco Ricci, director of pediatric cardiac surgery at the University of Miami, said this case demonstrates that doctors now have one more option.
"In the past, this situation could have been lethal," Ricci said.
And it nearly was. During the almost four months between her two transplants, D'Zhana wasn't able to breathe on her own half the time. She also had kidney and liver failure and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Taking a short stroll — when she felt up for it — required the help of four people, at least one of whom would steer the photocopier-sized machine that was the external part of the pumping devices.
When D'Zhana was stable enough for another operation, doctors did the second transplant on Oct. 29.
"I truly believe it's a miracle," said her mother, Twolla Anderson.
D'Zhana said now she's grateful for small things: She'll see her five siblings soon, and she can spend time outdoors.
"I'm glad I can walk without the machine," she said, her turquoise princess top covering most of the scars on her chest. After thanking the surgeons for helping her, D'Zhana began weeping.
She will be on lifelong medication to keep her body from rejecting the donated heart, and there's a 50-50 chance she'll need another transplant before she turns 30.
For now, though, D'Zhana is looking forward to celebrating another milestone. On Saturday, she turns 15 and plans to spend the day riding in a boat off Miami's coast.
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Comments
give_it_a_rest (anonymous) says...
This is a amazing story.I hope you life your life to the fullest D'Zhana it is a blessing that your here.
November 20, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Wow. Flat out amazing! Mankind can do great things when we put our minds to task.
Good luck Ms. Simmons!
November 20, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tokyoresident (anonymous) says...
Dear D'Zhana
I and my daughter are so happy for you. If you would like a penpal in Tokyo, Japan, please write us at tokyoresident at gmail.com.
We think you have been very lucky! And it's just such a great thing.
My daughter likes Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce, Neyo, Baby Bash, Ciara and Rihanna, and she's into playing piano and guitar.
Good luck. There's still a lot of stuff to go through, for you. We are praying that you don't hit any more snags. We send you our heartfelt best wishes!
C. and G.
November 20, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
How wonderful! I do believe this child is destined for great things. Good luck sweet heart and, may God continue to bless you and keep you safe.
November 20, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Do you have a red heart on your Driver's License?
I do :)
November 20, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
soul2soul (anonymous) says...
You are in my prayers D'Zhana Simmons, when I first read D'Zhana's story I thought wow she's so young, I get emotional when I see sick children I can't help it. I do my best to minimize my complaining when life can be so much worse. Hang in there D'Zhana I wish you nothing but the best. Kudos to the medical staff.
November 20, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
This is a wonderful story. I am so happy for this child and her family. Enjoy your life and yes I do have a red heart on my DL!
November 20, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
I still have my South Carolina Driver's License and it DOES have a red heart! :)
What an amazing story, it's so great to see the technological advancements we've made in this world, especially when it comes to advancing mankind and saving lives.
November 20, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
diablo_tonto (anonymous) says...
Nothing but the best of wishes to this young lady and the Simmons family.........
November 20, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ms_lady2u (anonymous) says...
Amazing story.....What an Angel!
November 20, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Speaking with an Organ Donor rep at the Berkeley Electric Co-Op Mtg last weekend, I was shocked at the paltry numbers of people who have the 'little red heart' on their DLs.
According to this gentleman, South Carolina lags behind many other states in this voluntary program.
I'm shocked that anyone would even hesitate to be an organ donor.
Organ donation saves lives, from restoring sight to the blind, ending dialysis, to actually giving a person a chance at longevity.
Two very unselfish people (or their families) and the countless numbers of medical personnel gave this young lady the gift of life.
It is my sincere hope that everyone that reads this article today is compelled to become an organ/marrow donor.
Give the gift of life.
November 20, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
Yes CB I do have a red heart I am an organ donor
November 20, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
Oops yes i have a red heart on my drivers license
November 20, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kontact (anonymous) says...
My daughter is 15. This story sure does touch home with me. Blessings young lady, Blessings.
...and yes I have the red heart too.
November 20, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mypointofview (anonymous) says...
Be well, dear D'Zhana. You are very special and a strong, strong person. I know you will do wonderful things with your life!
November 20, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MRSCVS (anonymous) says...
What a heart-wrenching story.
I am so proud of this beautiful lil angel.
May GOD continue to bless you and the family in everything that you do!!!!
I am certain you will make your mark on this world in a HUGE way!
GOD BLESS!!!!
November 20, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Confuzzled (anonymous) says...
This story has certainly touched my heart. Miracles do happen and I think God has a purpose for D'Zhana. My prayers go out to her and her family. May God bless ...
November 21, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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