Lynnette Barr was previously a Medical Social Worker attached to the Heart Transplant Team at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), for many years and this is what she experienced one evening:

It was approximately 3pm that afternoon, and a Cardiac Surgeon announced that they were going to perform a heart transplant at about 9.20pm that evening. The recipient was being prepared for the operation: tissue typing, blood grouping, chest size etc; and the donor heart was being fetched by our doctors from another part of South Africa.

I dealt with the psycho-social implications of a heart transplant for a patient/recipient/his/her family at Groote Schuur Hospital, and felt that insight into the medical procedure of this operation was appropriate.

Around 9.20pm, the recipient was in the Cardiac Theatre, slowly being prepared for the donor heart, due to arrive by plane. Action stations when the donor heart arrived .

As Professor Chris Barnard quoted: "My moment of truth - the moment when the enormity of it all really hit me - was just after I had taken out Washkansky's heart. I looked down and saw this empty space . the realization that there was a man lying in front of me without a heart but still alive was, I think, the most awe-inspiring moment of all".

This "moment of truth" was absolutely awesome . there in front of me was a recipient lying in theatre, with all the bypass machines attached to him, but with no heart in his chest cavity for a short period: the old heart had just been removed, . and then the new donor heart inserted.

The old heart, enlarged and compacted with yellow: all the fatty chops!, cholesterol, etc, was still beating very slowly prior to being removed. It was amazing to view the new/donor heart: instant rapid being - like a brand new, healthy, heart!!! This was really incredible to experience.

The pre-transplant patients were weak, had no libido, could not work due to fatigue, and role-reversals had often taken place in their family network. They were often frustrated, distressed, anxious and had a fear of dying before a donor heart would become available. The post-transplant recipients were relieved, euphoric, felt "fantastic", had instant physical well-being, and they were extremely grateful towards the donor family for allowing this precious "gift of life". They knew the heart was just a "pump", as Prof. Barnard said. Although some patients viewed the heart as a seat of emotion, and needed much of my support regarding this issue.

A heart transplant is really a "gift of life", a second chance, and most of the recipients had improved quality of life thereafter.

I left GSH at about 2.30 am the next morning; overwhelmed by the instant new lease of life that this mysterious operation gave to the recipient!!! We all only have "ONE LIFE" here on this earth - so lets make the most of it, and be kind and generous towards others who cross our paths.

What an absolute privilege to have been able to work with such dynamic and dedicated Cardiac Surgeons, who spent extremely long hours in theatre on their feet; and never was a request to attend to a patient, pre or post transplant, too much for them after theatre. We assisted the patients with a holistic approach. I will never forget the caring attitude that these Cardiac Surgeons had, and today I especially remember Prof. Johan Brink. Johan even used to attend the Groups that I held for these patients, and may I gossip; we all used to giggle when he indulged in the cake at the Group sessions.

Written and witnessed by: Lynette Barr
M.A. degree in Medical Social Work