Helen Beckwith

Though 54 year old Helen Beckwith from Hot Springs looks like the picture of health, chemotherapy for breast cancer destroyed her heart.

In the summer of ''99, her only hope for survival was a heart transplant.

"With her, there was no getting better. She was to the point where listing for transplant was her only option. Unfortunately, there was no time to wait for a transplant. She ended up requiring the Heartmate ventricular assist device," says Betty Wilson, Transplant Coordinator for Baptist Health.

"She was in severe heart failure and basically in bed, unable to do anything and near death at the time," stated John Ransom, M.D., Heart Transplant Surgical Director.

It had been only a couple of months earlier that Baptist Health Medical Center received the portable Heartmate that can bridge the wait for critically ill patients awaiting heart transplant. On July 8, 1999 at Baptist Health Medical Center, Helen Beckwith became only the 2nd person in the state to have a portable electric Heartmate implanted.

One of her nurses at the time, Sonja Lawson, stated "The last thing she (Helen) said was if I don't wake up it's ok. I'm at peace...I want to give this a go. I have much to live for."

Just hours after the surgery something went very wrong. Complications are always a possibility with this type of surgery.

"I thought she was going to die. She was having very violent seizures, more violent than I've seen in my ten years as a nurse. I was horrified and scared for her and her family," says Lawson.

Kelly Mitchell, RN/CVICU, said, "I took care of her one night when she made a gesture that she could understand me. I needed someone else to come see this!"

Helen Beckwith remembers that night. "These people were crying and hugging my family, taking care of them. I didn't know them from anyone. I didn't even know Jeannie (case coordinator) until I woke up and was introduced to her. She had spent the whole time with my family...what kind of people do that? They don't do that for a paycheck."

Nurses and doctors truly called her the miracle lady. Almost two months later, Helen became the first person to leave an Arkansas hospital with a HeartMate. It's easy to see why her hospital fan club was there.

Beckwith says, "I've had nothing but the best. I don't know how they got them all together, but they did a good job."

Training was important on how to use the Heartmate. Helen had to know everything from when to change batteries, to what to do when a donor heart had been located. The transplant call came 2 months later on October 22.

"At first I didn't realize what they were saying (regarding the transplant call). "I said I think it's the transplant,"said Beckwith. "I guarantee you that was the fastest trip I ever made to Little Rock!"

News spread fast that the transplant was only hours away. Family and friends of the Beckwiths were on hand to wish her well. It was an emotional time, especially knowing what happened after the last surgery.

The next day Helen was in critical condition, as expected. Within a week she was moved from intensive care to the 9th floor with her sense of humor well intact. "My husband told me he was going to make me go home and vacuum," said Beckwith.

Richard and Helen Beckwith have been married for 38 years. As you would expect, they say they have much to be thankful for. "No, we're not rich money wise, but otherwise - with family, friends, and church members. We've been blessed our whole lives," says Helen.

Richard may have said it best,"I knew I had lost her. I knew I'd lost her...now she's doing fantastic. Now I got her back. She's doing great."

Her caregivers at Baptist Health know she will make the most from her ordeal. Sonja Lawson says, "She will use that heart to every extent she can. She won't waste it. She won't sit around feeling sorry for herself, saying 'Oh gosh, I've had a transplant.' She IS living!"