Sonja Dalbey

I was born in the 1960’s with a congenital heart condition. I was what they called a blue baby. The doctor told my mother that I would not likely survive childhood. I had my first catheterization in 3rd grade, and they told me my heart was upside down and backwards with a hole in it. Later I learned that I had a single ventricle, transposition of the great vessels, and tricuspid valve atresia.

I am so grateful to my donors and their families! They have given me a second chance at life, and the quality of my life is so much better!

Despite this, I went on to live a fairly normal life, with physical limitations due to my condition. In my 20’s I had a Fontan Procedure, which re-routed the blood through my lungs before going into my body, which prevented the oxygenated blood from mixing with unoxygenated blood and increased my oxygen levels. I did much better but still had physical limitations.

I did well, being able to attend school and work full-time throughout my life. I was even able to give birth to a son. I did well until my late 50’s, early 60’s when things became more difficult. I was increasingly short of breath, and my energy had gradually been decreasing.

My Cardiologist at Mayo thought I should be evaluated for a heart transplant. I went through the assessment, and it was determined that my liver was also very damaged. I was approved for transplant of both organs and went on the transplant list in September of 2023. In November of that year, I ended up in the hospital with my heart not functioning well enough due to my End Stage Heart Disease. I had to wait in the hospital until the organs became available. I waited for 54 days, and our prayers were answered – in January of 2024 I received a heart and liver.

In September of 2024, I had a kidney transplant because my kidneys did not recover after my heart and liver transplant.

I cannot appropriately express how grateful I am to my donors and their families. If not for them, I would not be alive. At one of the most difficult times of their lives, they made the decision which allowed me to live. That is one of the most generous acts of kindness one can give. I am hoping to have the opportunity to meet them one day but understand how difficult it could be for them.

I recently had my one-year follow-up for my heart and liver transplant. My tests went very well, and I am feeling so much healthier and better! I have even been able to run for the first time in my life without getting sick! My donors have given me a second chance at life!

I am so grateful! Thank you to all of you who are involved in the organ donation process – the donors, their families, and the medical staff. Thank you!