New Port Richey man gets heart transplant after setbacks

New Port Richey man became the 100th heart transplant recipient, and first heart transplant of the year, at a Largo hospital. 

Phillip Allen.

Phillip Allen.

"I feel wonderful." Phillip Allen said. "I feel like a young man… old body, but young man."

Allen’s story

The backstory:

Allen said it all started three years ago. 

"I couldn't go to sleep. I couldn't breathe. I found myself coughing. I'm pacing the living room, and it got worse," Allen said. 

A friend took him to HCA Florida Largo Hospital, where he was diagnosed with diastolic heart failure. 

"I went to the parking lot, and I cried," Allen said. "It was just shocking news to get." 

Last Fall, his condition worsened, and he was admitted to the hospital.

Phillip Allen with Dr. Andrew Boyle.

Phillip Allen with Dr. Andrew Boyle.

"Mr. Andrew Boyle came into my room and told me, 'I'm going to be your best friend. We're going to get you a new heart,’" Allen said. "Every time I say his name, it makes me want to cry because that man saved my life."

"He said, 'I promise you. You're going to have a new heart before the year is up,’" Allen said.

Setbacks

Boyle kept his word. But not without a false start, also known as a dry run. 

"I finally got the call. About 3:30 in the morning to, come to the hospital. We have a heart for you. So, I called my family," Allen said. "We rushed down there."

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Thirty minutes before the procedure was supposed to begin, Allen's surgeon told him the heart was not a good fit. 

The wait continued into the holiday season. 

"I walked out of the hospital, into the parking lot, and sat on Santa Claus' lap, and he said, 'What do you want for Christmas?' I said, 'I want a new heart,'" Allen said.

Phillip Allen sitting on Santa's lap.

Phillip Allen sitting on Santa's lap.

Finally securing Allen a new heart

Weeks later, on New Year's Day, that wish was about to be granted; a heart was ready for Allen. 

Boyle, an HCA Florida Largo Cardiologist, said in these situations, medical staff usually only have a four-hour window, or the heart will no longer be usable. 

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"We have to take the heart out from the donor. Put it on ice in the donor OR," Dr. Boyle said. "Then fly back, then we have to take an ambulance from St. Petersburg Airport, and then we have to sew in the heart."

Fortunately, all went well for Allen. 

Phillip Allen being released from the hospital.

Phillip Allen being released from the hospital. 

"The average duration of time that people stay in the hospital after a heart transplant across the United States is 21 days," Boyle said.  

Recovery

What's next:

Allen was discharged within 8 days and is now recovering at home. 

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Allen’s goal is rest and relaxation, and once his doctors clear him to do so, he said he "can't wait for the chance to dive into that [his backyard] pool and jump up and say 'yes'!"

The Source: FOX 13’s Jennifer Kveglis collected the information in this story courtesy of Phillip Allen and Andrew Boyle.

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