Kristen McConnaughey
11/21/2014 09:09 PM11/21/2014 10:58 PM
Omaha, NE (KETV) There’s a special bond between the cast and crew of Grey’s Anatomy and a transplant patient at the Nebraska Medical Center.
Doctor appointments are nothing new for Aspen Wiederholt from Alta, Iowa. But the subtle sound, beating loud and clear from the machines at the Nebraska Medical Center is; it’s the sound of Aspen’s new, healthy heart.
Doctor appointments are nothing new for Aspen Wiederholt from Alta, Iowa. But the subtle sound, beating loud and clear from the machines at the Nebraska Medical Center is; it’s the sound of Aspen’s new, healthy heart.
“I’ve had 13 surgeries,” explains Aspen, who just turned 20. She was born with a congenital heart defect. Around this time last year, doctors told Aspen they’d exhausted every option they could to help her heart to function on its own.
“Initially, I was in and out of the hospital five or six times from November to December,” Aspen told KETV photojournalist Molly Miles. “They finally did another cath and said, yeah, it’s time to be put on the transplant list.”
For the next three months, Aspen and her family waited.
“I didn’t have any energy at all,” said Aspen. ‘I was very nervous. I couldn’t eat. I was losing weight.”
Her mother created a Facebook page, Aspen’s Army, to keep everyone updated and to share Aspen’s story. A newspaper in Spencer, Iowa published a story about Aspen, mentioning she was a big fan of ABC’s medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy.
“I actually just started watching Grey’s Anatomy while I was waiting for my heart,” said Aspen. “I’m like, addicted to the show now.”
Somehow, Aspen’s story and word of her love for the show got back to the cast and crew of Grey’s Anatomy. Production staff, even creator and producer Shonda Rhimes, emailed back and forth with Aspen’s mother. One day, Aspen received a big surprise in the mail.
“My name is Barbara, I’m a medical researcher at Grey’s Anatomy,” Aspen read from the letter included in the package. “The writers and I read your story and are thrilled you are such a fan of Grey’s Anatomy. I wanted to send you a few gifts to show you our appreciation and hopefully they brighten your day a little, too.”
The cast and crew sent Aspen a signed script from an episode about transplants, notepads they’d used during taping, and autographed photos among other memorabilia. Two of Aspen’s favorite actors, Sandra Oh (Cristina Yang) and Justin Chambers (Alex Karev), wrote Aspen messages.
“Here’s to you and your tremendous spirit. Go out there and be the best doctor you can be,” Aspen read from Oh’s message. “It felt wonderful. I was very grateful they took time to read my story.”
A story that could be a Grey’s Anatomy plot line. May 15th, just a few weeks after receiving her care package, Aspen got her heart transplant. Doctors later told her that heart came with little time to spare.
“One week before my transplant they said ‘go live life to the fullest’,” said Aspen. “The week after, of course, I got a call and they said this is a once in a lifetime chance to have the perfect match.”
Aspen, healthy and happy at her recent 6-month check-up, is now planning for that career her TV friends talked about.
“I’m probably going to the Med Center in Nebraska,” said Aspen. “And hopefully do something in a medical career so I can give back.”
Aspen’s message, other than thank you, is to be an organ donor. She doesn’t know anything about the person who gave her that heart, but has no doubt that donation saved her life.
For more information about Aspen Wiederholt and her story, visit Aspen’s Army on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/aspensarmy
For more information, or to sign up to become an organ donor, visit Donate Life Nebraska at http://www.donatelifenebraska.com/.
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