Ocean Grove dad waits on heart transplant

Ocean Grove dad Ross Henkel is waiting to receive the “gift of life” through an organ transplant after heart disease saw his health rapidly deteriorate.

Ocean Grove dad Ross Henkel is waiting to receive the “gift of life” after heart disease saw his health rapidly deteriorate.

Six years ago, Mr Henkel was diagnosed with a serious condition which has weakened his heart.

The condition makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body and can lead to heart failure.

Months before the diagnosis he became ill and needed several rounds of antibiotics before he felt better.

Later the 55-year-old father of two adult sons developed a constant pain his chest.

After being referred to a cardiologist, he was diagnosed with idiopathic non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy, as well as a heart defect and abnormal rhythm.

He began medication and a few years ago had an ablation procedure to rectify the rhythm issues.

Ocean Grove man Ross Henkel needs a new heart. Picture: Mark Wilson

But his heart disease saw his health rapidly deteriorate late last year.

“In December last year I got another infection and I started to get really sick,” he said.

He was unknowingly retaining fluid due to the disease.

Since Christmas he has lost 26 kilograms, been hospitalised several times and had a seizure.

Ross Henkel says he is making the most of his time with family while he waits for a call about a transplant. Picture: Mark Wilson

He now requires a heart transplant and was placed on the wait list about a month ago.

Last week he received a call to say a donor heart had become available in the middle of the night.

He travelled from Ocean Grove to Melbourne and was prepared for surgery, but was told at the last testing stage that the heart wasn’t suitable.

Mr Henkel broke down in tears during the process.

“I wasn’t crying because I thought I might die on the operating table, it was just because it was such a surreal experience,” he said.

“Whilst I was a bit upset at the time, quickly you’ve got to move forward.”

Mr Henkel goes by the motto “move forward, live life”.

“I can’t afford to sit at home and watch TV because I don’t know if I’ll be lucky enough to be gifted another (transplant) phone call,” he said.

He is focused on spending time with family and appreciating the simple things like enjoying a coffee and looking at the ocean.

“I’m pretty fit and healthy … (but) I could go down hill again next week,” he said.

Mr Henkel said he was happy to connect with other people facing similar situations.

As he grapples with facing his own mortality Mr Henkel is encouraging the community

to register as organ and tissue donors.

“Please consider it … it is just an opportunity to save lives,” he said.

It only takes one minute to sign up at donatelife.gov.au or just three taps in the Medicare app.

Originally published as Ocean Grove dad waits on heart transplant