I had a massive heart attack in June 2006 and had a triple bypass in December 2006. A few months later I developed atrial fibrillation and I was quite ill until I received a bi-ventricular pacemaker in March 2008. Things went well after that and in May 2010 my heart function was still 30%. After May 2010 my heart muscle got progressively weaker and in October 2010 my ejection fraction was 13% and my cardiologist told me that my only option was a heart transplant and referred me to Dr Willie Koen at the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital in Cape Town. In November 2010 my assessment and tests were done and I was put on the waiting list for my Gift of Life. Trying to stay upbeat and maintain a semblance of normalcy, I continue to work full-time. But things are not normal and I tire easily. I am too fatigued to do anything. I have less and less energy. Simple things such as getting out of bed, taking a bath/shower or even walking are hard for me to do. I am struggling to breathe. Struggling to do ordinary, everyday things that most people take for granted. While the waiting period promises a new life, it also confines me and makes me realise that life isn’t in my own hands. I have to keep my phone on me at all times because Dr Koen could call at any moment. So now we wait, how long, we don’t know. One thing that we do know is that we will get through this process and keep pressing on as the phenomenal family that we are and with the support of the wonderful friends and colleagues we have. And most important we will get through this with the love of God who will be the ultimate Decider of what will happen. I have discovered that since I have been an advocate all these years for heart rehabilitation, that perhaps one reason this has happened to me, is so that I can be the messenger I was destined to be ~ an advocate for organ donation—the gift of life. So while I wait, I join hands with all those waiting as well and just keep speaking the message of HOPE.