This Thursday at 10/9c
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Following his transplant, Earl returned home to Bermuda. Although transplant recovery can be a brutal rollercoaster, Earl’s health improved consistently.
“It’s like what they say, what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. I’ve learned to really cherish life.”
Before his transplant, living with the ventricular assist device (VAD), Earl had to be careful not to get wet, and when out of the house had to carry around batteries to keep his heart pumping. After the transplant, he could finally return to his favorite pastimes including jet skiing, swimming, and clubbing.
When he got back home, Earl applied to Bermuda College to study computer graphics and business management. He was accepted, and starts school in late August.
Wanda, Earl’s mother, sent a letter to the donor family, but never received a response. If given the opportunity he’d like to travel to see them and thank them in person.
I just want to say that I have never heard of the show until the night before it aired and you caught my eye, not because of your looks (even though you are a cutie..lol) but because of the situation you were living with just recently in January I was told by my doctors that I need to consider a heart & lung transplant and that really tookme for a loop. I'm 28 years old and even though I new about my medical conditions I never thought it would come to this. I simply thought that I'd be taking meds for the rest of my life. Then in March I saw my cardiologist and they gave me a handbook on a step by step proceedure of what the process and tansplant is gonna be like. Istress about it everyday. Now in August I'm up to see transplant team at a hospital in my state. They pretty much says yes this is what you need. When I saw your episode I cried and cried but I couldn't turn away cause I had to see exactly how it works. I was somewhat releived to see how it worked and how easy it is to get a second chance at life. I applaud you for doing it. I hope you have a long happy healthy and successful life.
Earl:
Congradulations on your successful transplant. I have a LVAD and am waiting for a heart like you were. I'm sure you really love being in the water again and riding jet ski's. I can't wait to get back to life in that way. God Bless you and the family that donated and saved your life. Good Luck.
Angel Cregger
Hi Earl! Congratulations on your new heart. I hope it works out for you and good luck on that porn star dream.
Beautiful. Stay well.
Hey Earl, my son had 4 open heart surgeries and is doing great today!!! Lots of love to you and especially to your mom---I know just how she feels. Have a fabulous life. k
Earl - thank you for letting ABC tell your story in such a way that others can grasp (just a small bit) of what goes on when a patient is faced with a transplant. I hope more people start carrying donor cards. I do.
All those "teams" jockeying to procure the organs for transplant - that was an amazing little insight !
Here's to the talent of the surgeons and staff at Johns Hopkins - they are all special!
PS My friend had a double lung transplant at Hopkins and the donor family chose not to acknowledge/answer our letters of thanks either. That's okay - at least they know how grateful we are.
Earl - I had the opportunity to see and hear your story. I am a 40 yr old very healthy guy , married with 2 boys and have had 2 heart attacks due to my genetics. I will be on holiday in Bermuda visiting my friend David bascome July 24 - 29. Hope we can meet up and chat! Keep doing the things you have to do and live life!
Hi Earl, I was very moved by your story last night. I am the mother of a 3 year-old who was born with a congenital heart defect (HLHS). He's undergone 2 open heart surgeries and still needs one more. I can relate to the overwhelming emotions your mom is going through. You have a great outlook on life, but always remember that you are very special and as such must take extra good care of yourself. Enjoy your new chance at life and love and cherish your mom for watching your children suffer is the most frustrating and worst thing a mom can go through. May the Lord bless you and your family. You are an inspiration to all!
Hope all is well with U & Ur new Heart. If u ever in Hawaii hit me up, give u a Island tour. Laters Laila
Keep life real man, i'm struggling with a bad heart and two little kids I'm not ready to leave, but it's not looking good. Enjoy life to the fullest and populate the world my friend.
Hi Earl, I loved what you said at the end of your harrowing episode, "I just want to live." You have so much living to do! So much ahead of you! It is all so exciting. Congratulations on being accepted to school. We wish you all the best always. Be well. Give your wonderful mom a big hug. :-)
Earl, it was so amazing to watch your transplant on TV. I am a 13 year transplant patient and I am deeply moved by your story. I am thankful everyday for my heart. Wish you the best of luck in everything you do in life.
Earl, the light hearted jokes and your quick wit lifts the spirits of family, nurses, physicians, fellow patients and the viewing public; reminding us how fragile life is. You must take care of your new heart. A kind soul has given you one of the most beautiful gifts a person could receive. Many people remain on transplant lists for years, but are never given a second chance to live. My aunt happened to be a lucky lady after 20 years of waiting. Her transplant failed. When asked if she would like to be re-placed on the list, she simply said, “No, I had my chance it is another persons opportunity.” She was a selfless woman who is missed every day. She kindly asked each family member to allow our organs to be donated upon our passing. By the size of our family, we could be giving life to over 50 deserving individuals. I encourage every one I meet to consider becoming a organ donor.
HI Earl. I gotta say that i was really rooting for you when i saw on the show that u had a bad heart. You are such a fun loving person and i dont know what this world would b like if you werent here with us. oh and keep ditching the doctors to go get our hair done...It turned looke cute :)
Good luck man your in good hands at johns hopkins and i hope all goes well
Earl, that is amazing you finally got your wish at the age of 19 to finally get a transplant. BUT, please take care of that heart a donor was able to give you. You are very fortunate to finally receive the gift of life. I am 20 years old and am still not able to get my kidney transplant, I am not even listed for a transplant, so take care of that very miraculous gift you've received. Congrats on your new heart.
Hi Earl, I just seen your episode as i sit in my house on a VAD awaiting a heart transplant. seeing your VAD removal and successful heart transplant makes me feel way more comfortable when I get the call for mine. hopefully I will see you at the 2011 world transplant games in sweden.
best of luck Scott Ouellette
Hi Earl, Congrats on your new heart! I work as a nurse on the donation side, I care for donors and place them with recipients like yourself. It is so good to see the other side of what I do and how it can change lives. Good luck to you and take care of that new heart! Live your dreams...God Bless
hey earl, man your so cool and i hope you good luck in years to come! hope your recovery is going smoothly. be sure to take care of that hair...lol
Wow, you're amazing! Good luck in the future cutie!
Earl, Wow dude, I just finished watching you go through your Heart transplant. 1st let me say that you & your family are in my prayers. I really think you are an awesome person. Not to mention a real cutie. It is a real miracle what surgeons can do. To think that you now have a strong heart that will be able to allow you to have a long & wonderful life. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, Live each day to it's fullest. Thank the Lord every day for the miracle you have been given. Enjoy everything bad, good or otherwise thing or things that happen to you. You truly have been given an awesome gift, and even though I have never met you, I feel as though I know you. And I know no one else better than you deserved the gift you were given. I wish you have everything you hope for. Most of all I wish you a Long & Healthy, Happy Life!! Love much, Live Free & Alwaysstay rue to yourself. Take care my brother, God Bless. S.Murphy aka IslaGrl
Earl, You are a very special man! You have a gift to make people laugh and smile! Live your life to the fullest! Always love your mother and go to college so you can afford all of your reproductions! LOL! God Speed!
Earl, I wish you all the best! This story immediately grabbed me b/c I am a Bermudian who has lived in the states for many years. I also live in South Carolina (about an hour and a half away from Greenville) where your new heart was retrieved. I have a young cousin Smoo (Joseph Hunt) who I had to help "nurse" back to health years ago when he suffered a spinal cord injury. My step-father had a kidney transplant when he was your age, and I grew up knowing the trials of all that is involved with that. Please follow your doctors' instructions. Have FAITH as well! God Bless... 3 John 2
I hope your transplat goes well Earl!!!! Good LUCK!!!!!
Earl,
I'm watching your episode right now and I've got my fingers crossed even though the outcome is already set. I wish you the very, very best. Patients like you are the reason I am becoming a nurse. I hope there will be an "Earl" in my life someday.
HEY EARL I HOPE THAT YOUR RECOVERY IS GOING WELL GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW HEART AND TAKE CARE OF IT .NOT MANY PEOPLE GET A SECOND CHANCE.GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR LOVE ONES.
i saw the episode and you are an example because even if u know how your health condition is your continue living your life . I hope evrything wil be ok . Good luck
good luck earl
Hey Earl, You may not remember me, but I met you on Nelson 6 and teased you about having such an old name. Take care of yourself and watch what you eat. You will find that becomes very important. Hurry and get that transplant so you can join the rest of us former LVAD patients. All the best to you and your family. God bless you.
Hi I had a heart transplant when I was eighteen.
It sounds like your outlook on life is to stay up beat and positive. That is great! I wish you all the best and pray that you get that new heart Earl Ingemann. Fellow Bermudian.
Earl, Earl, Earl I am from Bermuda and after reading this I can only say PLEASE get some rest!!! I am praying for you.
Hi Earl- I'm a producer at the DC ABC News Station. Would u be willing to talk to us today abotu the Hopkins experience and how you're doing now? Let me know and thanks!
Hi Earl- I'm a producer at the Washington DC ABC news station. Do you live in this region? Would you be willing to talk to us today about your experience? Let me know! Thanks.
I admire your spirit to live no matter what. You don't let your situation stop you from the doing things that you love best. You are my favorite!!!!and you're funny too!!!!!:)
Hi Tiffany! I am so glad to hear that you are doing well! You are such an inspiration and such an amazing young lady! Your mom is one of the bravest women I have ever seen! Take Care!!!!
Why not sacrifice your freedom now in order to preserve your freedom the rest of your life. (roaming?!) God Bless you.
I speak and read English only. Can someone please translate Earl's bio to English. Thank you.
