Heidi’s Story

Site created on December 6, 2007

Hey! My name is Heidi. On December 6, 2007, I packed up and moved to St. Louis to wait for a double-lung transplant. Less than a month later, on January 4, 2008, I got the call for my transplant. Everything has gone well and I arrived back home in Lawrence on March 27, 2008! 

A bit more info: I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when I was 18 mo. old. My parents took the responsibility of caring for my lungs until I was old enough to care for myself. Before my double-lung transplant, I tried every form of chest physio-therapy that I know of (CPT-clapping, vibrating massage, FLUTTER, The Vest, PEP, Autogenic Drainage - there's probably more. . .), but my PFTs (pulmonary function tests) were such that it became very hard to breathe.  I gave lung transplantation a lot of thought - we visited Barnes-Jewish Hospital for the first time in July of 2007 and learned a lot about the process. Within the next six months, it got a little harder to breathe and a lot easier to make the decision to be listed for new lungs.

My mother, Tracie, and my husband, Brad, took turns every two weeks staying with me while I went through the rehabilitation process.  It still remains a challenge to keep the rest of my body up to pace with the great new capacity of my donor lungs, but it's a challenge for which I'm very grateful.

Newest Update

In Memory of Heidi Karn Barker

Journal entry by Heidi Karn Barker —

Hello friends and family.  This Brad, Heidi's husband.  I am devastated to say that Heidi passed away on May 8th peacefully and surrounded by family.  I am sincerely sorry for not updating her Caring Bridge journal sooner. 

Heidi left behind a large network of amazing people who are still coming to terms with our loss.  While we continue to grieve and are left with a hole that will never be filled, we have been blessed with amazing support and encouragement from so many.  Please find below links to Heidi's obit and a the YouTube video of the Celebration of Life that was held on May 13th. 

Heidi Karn Barker - obit - Barnett Family Funeral Home

Heidi Karn Barker - Celebration of Life - First Baptist Church of McLouth 

 

With Love and Sincere Thanks,

Brad Barker

Read More of the journal titled "In Memory of Heidi Karn Barker"
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