Smile of the Day Thursday, December 3, 2020

Thursday December 3, 2020 Smile of the Day: The First Heart Transplant

On this Day:

Dr. Christiaan Neethling Barnard (8 November 1922 – 2 September 2001) who was a South African cardiac surgeon, performed the world’s first human-to-human heart transplant operation and the first one in which the patient regained consciousness. 

On 3 December 1967, Barnard transplanted the heart of accident-victim Denise Darvall into the chest of 54-year-old Louis Washkansky, with Washkansky regaining full consciousness and being able to easily talk with his wife, before dying 18 days later of pneumonia. The anti-rejection drugs that suppressed his immune system were a major contributing factor.

From that initial start, approximately 3,500 heart transplants are performed each year worldwide, more than half of which are in the US. Post-operative survival periods average 15 years. Heart transplantation is not considered to be a cure for heart disease; rather it is a life-saving treatment intended to improve the quality and duration of life for a recipient. (per Wikipedia)

First, a Story:

Do you know what happened to the cardiac patient who refused to get a much-needed transplant? He had a change of heart.

Second, a Song:

“Rhythm of My Heart” is a song written by Marc Jordan and John Capek. In 1991 Rod Stewart recorded the song for his album Vagabond Heart with production by Trevor Horn. It is the album’s opening track and was released as its first single.

Stewart’s version reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and No. 1 on the Canadian and Irish charts. The melody is an adaptation of “Loch Lomond”. The meter, stanzas and lyrics are also based on the poem, a nod to Stewart’s own Scottish heritage.  (per Wikipedia)

This version of “Rhythm of My Heart” is by Amy Macdonald & Glaswegians.  It is from the Opening Ceremony of the XX Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow.  I hope you enjoy this!

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyrcQCYcn08)

Thought for the Day:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” – Steve Jobs

Cheers!

Have a great day!

Dave & Colleen

© 2020 David J. Bilinsky and Colleen E. Bilinsky