Introduction

In the midst of parenting a hungry two-month-old and entertaining her 11-year-old son along with two teenage nieces, Ebony Smith-Thomas found herself facing an unexpected health crisis. On a sweltering evening in May in St. Louis, when her air conditioning failed, Ebony made the difficult decision to pack her children into the car and seek refuge at her mother's house.

Concerning Symptoms

That night, her mother, Debbie Thomas-Smith, grew increasingly concerned as she heard Ebony coughing—a dry, relentless cough that wouldn't subside. By morning, Debbie insisted that her daughter see a doctor, suspecting walking pneumonia could be the culprit.

Urgent Medical Attention

Upon visiting an urgent care facility, Ebony's condition quickly escalated. Tests revealed concerning signs, and she was referred to the emergency room for further examination. After a series of X-rays and tests, an ultrasound technician entered the room, leaving Ebony perplexed. “What are you doing with that? I just had a child. I'm not pregnant,” she questioned. Unfortunately, the ultrasound revealed a far more pressing issue: Ebony was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare form of heart failure that can occur during late pregnancy or after childbirth.

Understanding Heart Failure

Heart failure disrupts the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. A healthy heart operates with an ejection fraction—the measurement of blood pumped with each heartbeat—between 50% and 70%. In Ebony's case, her ejection fraction was alarmingly low at just 27%. This diagnosis initiated a tumultuous journey of various treatments and medications over the subsequent years, all in the hope of strengthening her heart.

The Transplant Journey

As efforts to manage her condition went on, doctors discussed the unsettling possibility of needing a heart transplant. In October 2019, after five challenging years battling heart failure, Ebony was placed on the transplant waiting list, discovering the difficult balance of hope and apprehension.

A New Beginning

On August 18, 2020, the long-awaited phone call came: she would receive a new heart the following day. The surgery, an intense 23-hour ordeal, was the turning point Ebony had been waiting for. Upon waking, her mother noticed a dramatic change; Ebony was vibrant and filled with a renewed sense of life.

Ongoing Health Challenges

More than four years after her heart transplant, Ebony has faced further trials, including dealing with a blood clot in her new heart that necessitated another open-heart surgery, alongside a hysterectomy and a double mastectomy. However, through it all, she emerged with a profound appreciation for every day she gets to live.

Embracing Life

“I consider growing older a privilege, not a burden,” Ebony declared with a smile. “Each day I wake up is a blessing, regardless of how I feel. Whether I'm low, high, or just maintaining, I’m grateful for every single morning.” Her story is not just one of survival but of resilience, hope, and the power of family support in overcoming the most daunting challenges life can throw at us.