Living With Heart Transplant During COVID

A Saint Joseph’s University senior discusses a little bit about his background in regards to a heart transplant he received years ago. He discusses his decision of coming back to school while living in fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen in to learn a little bit more what it is like to live during this trying time with a heart transplant.

Start Talking SJU is a social media impact campaign that encourages members of the Saint Joseph’s University community to engage each other by discussing difficult, yet important topics, that are vital for a healthy, open, inclusive campus. Our current topic is Living in Fear, Striving for Hope.

More videos like this one on the topic of Living in Fear, Striking for Hope in 2020 can be found at http://livinginfear.starttalkingsju.com. You can also see our prior campaigns: Attacked (http://attacked.starttalkingsju.com),Belonging (http://belonging.starttalking.com), and Mental Health (http://mentalhealth.starttalking.com).

This video was co-created with the person depicted and/or represented in a story read by another. All persons reviewed and signed consent forms granting permission to share this story online. 

If you are experiencing any personal or social effects due to fear on or off campus, the university has resources that can help, including:

The Office of Student Outreach and Support (https://sites.sju.edu/sos/); the SJU COVID website (https://www.sju.edu/hawk-hill-ready); if you are experiencing food insecurity, HawkHub (https://clubs.sju.edu/hawkhubclub); The Bias Activity Review Group, which connects to Public Safety (https://sites.sju.edu/oid/bias/); CAPS (610-660-1090); TitleIX titleIX@sju.edu; REPP (*confidential support) 610-733-9650 (24 hr. Peer Helpline); or SJU Public Safety 610-660-1111.

A complete transcript of the video reads as follows:

“When I was seven years old, I had a heart transplant. It was caused by viral Myocarditis which was a virus that attacked my heart. It ultimately led to dilated cardiomyopathy. I have been put on a medication called Neoral Cyclosporin. And so, this medicine that I take ultimately really just kills my immune system. However, you know, the major side effect of that, with a weaker immune system I am much more susceptible to the common cold. Knowing how this virus was capable of spreading, coming to college I was definitely a little nervous. Some areas that can be improved upon, I do think it’s a little difficult for students to find the balance between in-person class, straight to an online class. COVID and college are two scary terms. The two of those really don’t bode well together. Cleary, we have seen not just here at Saint Joe’s but amongst all the Universities in America.”