Faith Over Fear Leads the Way for Heart Transplant Patient’s Recovery

David Miller has always believed in the power of presence.  

“We get so wrapped up in everything that has been or will be,” David says. “I think we forget to stay right here and now.”  

That philosophy has carried him through his whole life, including an unexpected chapter that left him with a lifesaving heart transplant—and a renewed outlook on what it means to be alive.  

Despite having Type 1 diabetes, David had taken very good care of himself. But eventually, the complications of diabetes led to severe heart disease, with multiple blockages in his heart arteries. After having bypass surgery in Springfield, Missouri, he was referred to Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute to be evaluated for a potential heart transplant. Despite excellent medical therapy, his functional capacity continued to deteriorate. Simple daily activities caused chest pain and shortness of breath, and his lungs filled up with water easily.   

“I kept thinking I would get better, but it just never happened,” David says. “I still struggled to catch my breath, I still had chest pain—it just didn’t feel right.”  

David’s heart failure deteriorated so much that his kidneys showed early signs of failure due to the lack of blood flow. After lengthy consideration, he was listed for heart transplant and admitted to Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City. Jessica Heimes, MD, a cardiothoracic and heart transplant surgeon, placed a mechanical heart pump to help support David’s quickly failing heart.  

“Before David’s heart transplant, his heart was not strong enough to support blood flow to his body,” says Dr. Heimes. “The mechanical heart pump helped support him until we could find a suitable donor.” 

This mechanical pump stabilized David’s condition and within about 10 days, he received a call that there was a potential donor whose heart was a perfect match for him.  

“David’s original heart was large but it was not doing its job,” says Dr. Heimes. “His prior bypass surgery caused significant scar tissue around his heart. After removing all the scar tissue, we were able to place the new heart, and it was working beautifully.” 

On June 11, David began a new chapter. “I woke up and was overcome with gratitude,” David says. “For the donor, my surgeon, my nurses—everyone involved in taking such incredible care of me and my wife during this journey.”  

Now months into his recovery, David chooses to focus on positivity and progress. “Life’s great,” he says, even if some days come easier than others. Follow-up tests confirm David’s new heart is working well. He now sees Andrew Kao, MD, a board-certified transplant cardiologist, and his nine colleagues at the Heart Institute for routine heart care. He’s more energetic and confident than has been in years. Best of all, he’s back to doing what he loves.  

“I have the best job,” David says.  

David is a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Native Americans, a federally recognized tribe that once lived in the Great Lakes region before settling in what is now Missouri. In fact, the great state of Missouri was named after his tribe. A consultant for more than 15 years, David works with Native American tribes across the country to support their leadership, strategic planning, and advocacy to build stronger tribes.  

“Seeing David go back to the work he loves is so rewarding,” says Dr. Kao. “His outlook on life and resilience have played a major role in his recovery.” 

Asked how he remains so positive in the face of uncertainty, David doesn’t hesitate. “I’ve been optimistic since I was a kid,” he says. “If you take care of the people around you, everything else works out.” It’s a mindset that has carried him through trial and triumph—and it’s one he hopes others will take to heart. 

“Don’t let the hard days win,” he says.  

Comprising nearly 100 board-certified experts in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, and critical care anesthesia, Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute is the region’s leader in heart transplantation. We are committed to excellent outcomes for all patients. Our transplant rate is twice that of similarly sized programs, and our survival rates are among the best in the country. 

For more information, visit the Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute.