"Grateful and Humbled": The Back-to-Back Transplants at Saint Luke's that Saved One Man's Life

Anthony Weatherspoon, 68, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, remembers it like it was yesterday: The day he wasn’t feeling very well in 2024. “I didn’t know what was up,” Anthony says, with his wife, Peggy, at his side.

He had been feeling unwell for about two months beforehand, too. Anthony had multiple doctor visits, some tests and blood work, but nothing came back conclusive or definite. “We could never discover what was going on,” recalls Anthony. Then, on Aug. 1, 2024, Anthony had a series of strokes, with each one increasing in severity. Anthony’s wife drove him to Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City’s Emergency Department, where he had his third stroke. That's when Anthony's heart condition—dilated cardiomyopathy—was first diagnosed.

Thanks to Peggy and Anthony’s fast action, they were able to receive more information about his condition. “We discovered [after those strokes] that I had heart and kidney issues,” he says. Anthony adds that his pastor suggested that those strokes were “God winking at you that something was wrong,” as his strokes causes no lasting damage, but they ultimately revealed his heart issues. Anthony’s wife was invaluable amid his health issues and surgeries. “Everyone needs a Peggy,” he says. The pair have been married for more than 37 years, and Anthony praises her abilities as a caregiver.

Anthony felt relieved to receive answers and learn more about his health. “I’m a 68-year-old Black male,” says Anthony, “my whole life has been about trying to maintain my health.”

A diagnosis and harrowing back-to-back transplants

After his diagnosis, Anthony was referred to Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute’s Heart Failure and Transplant Clinic. There, he met Taiyeb M. Khumri, MD. Dr. Khumri told Anthony and Peggy, “I want to submit you as a candidate for heart transplant.” It was then, says Anthony, that his journey to “a new chance at life” fully began. “Dr. Khumri realized I was active and that I’d been trying to take care of myself the best I could,” says Anthony. Peggy remembers how shocking it was to hear her husband would need a heart transplant. “That’s the kind of thing you see on television shows, not in real life,” she says.

Dr. Khumri was very thorough, Anthony remembers. “He checked my blood, he did the whole complete work up on me. I was in and out of the hospital.” From August through December 2024, Anthony and Peggy spent a lot of time at the hospital for appointments.

On Nov. 10, 2024, Anthony had a heart transplant at Saint Luke’s Hospital performed by John R. Davis, MD. And the following day, he had a kidney transplant performed by Kathryn W. Shaw, MD. Anthony was told that the back-to-back transplant experience wouldn’t be comfortable, but it’s what was needed for his health. “It’s all just a big blur to me,” Anthony says of his two transplant days and the immediate recovery. “I had never been down like that before.” He says he even lost track of time, and his memories from that week are fuzzy.

Dr. Khumri explains the back-to-back transplant process for Anthony, saying, “They let the patient stabilize from heart transplant surgery before they do the kidney transplant to prevent injury to the kidney; this is standard practice.” The doctor also notes how dual organ transplants are becoming more common.

Recovery after transplants

Between his heart and kidney transplants, Anthony didn’t really wake up, says Peggy.

Following his transplants, Anthony was brought back from sedation gently and slowly to make sure there weren’t any complications. “You can imagine that was scary for me and the family,” says Peggy. “We were able to see him, but even that was kind of a terrifying sight, looking back on it.”

Anthony and Peggy highlight what an emotional experience it was for Anthony to undergo his surgeries and come out on the other side. “It can still be emotional for me when I stop and think about it. Someone had to die in order for me to live.” Anthony says he’s had to come to grips with that truth, and that he remains “grateful and humbled” to have received the gift of organ donation.

Challenges, changes, and a hopeful future

Apart from emotions, the physical journey following the transplant surgeries has been a challenge, too. Anthony says he’s been in a weakened state and is still in the healing process. Following his transplants, he experienced some speech slurring and memory loss. “It was pretty devastating,” he says candidly. “I’ve never been down like this before; it knocked me for a loop, all of the things I couldn’t do.” Anthony says despite his current challenges in recovery that he is trying to give back. And he’s grateful for his cognitive health, saying, “My mind is well.”

Setbacks are losing against Anthony, though, who is resolute about his full recovery. “I’m slowly getting back to it,” he says with resolve. He also points out the deeply emotional experience of undergoing a heart transplant—“I’ve always been a very empathetic person, but it’s gotten a little stronger after my heart surgery”—as well as some surprising changes post-surgery. “I was never a big sweets eater, but since the heart surgery, I feel like I can’t get enough—ice cream, candy, and pies. I crave them now.” (Minor personality changes and changes in preferences are well-documented in heart transplant patients like Anthony, owing to the cellular memory of organs.)

Sweets aside, the other thing that gets Anthony fired up these days is the idea of doing some traveling, and working in the yard, both of which he hasn’t been able to do much of lately, due to his medical issues. Peggy says it has been a joy to see Anthony’s activity level increase over time, after his operations, and watch him return more fully to life. In the recovery process, Peggy helps Anthony follow doctors' orders and take medications exactly as instructed. For people going through a similar experience, she suggests, “Stay compliant, listen to your coordinators, and talk with them if you have any concerns or questions.”

Both Peggy and Anthony feel hopeful and excited about all that lies ahead for them. “I’m looking forward to this summer,” says Anthony, “but I’m especially looking forward to summer 2026, when I’ll be even stronger.”