How a Heart Transplant Opened the Door for Mike Norton’s Next Adventure
Baylor St. Luke’s Heart Transplant Team Allowed for More Miles
As a teenager Mike Norton was diagnosed with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS), an inherited heart disease that caused his heart to weaken over time. After traveling to national parks throughout the country during his 35-year career as a landscape photographer, Mike noticed his IHSS was significantly impacting his work.
In July of 2016 Mike saw Dr. Joggy George, a cardiologist at Baylor St. Luke’s, and was told he needed to be placed on the heart transplant waiting list as his IHSS had significantly impaired his heart’s function. It wasn’t until November of 2016 that he found out he had a donor heart available and, a few hours later, Mike went into surgery.
Just two days after surgery Mike was up and walking. A few weeks later he was discharged from the hospital and since then, his health has improved dramatically.
Mike credits Baylor St. Luke’s team of experienced cardiologists, surgeons, nurses and many others for the success of his heart transplant and improved health. “All the people there are confident, committed to helping, and to listening to the patients and helping them with what they need,” Mike said. “I appreciate every day that I have now because it’s a gift; a gift from my donor family, a gift from Baylor St. Luke’s, and a gift from everybody who prayed for me.”
Now Mike is back to living his active lifestyle which includes long walks, hiking, and riding his bicycle. His next adventure? A 16-mile hike up Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.
Related Patient Stories
Navigating the Journey: Insurance reassurance
OCT 03, 2024For a newly diagnosed cancer patient, having to schedule multiple doctor appointments can be too much. Nurse Navigators are here to help.
Read More Additional information about Navigating the Journey: Insurance reassuranceNavigating the Journey: Breast cancer patient finds ‘miracle worker’
OCT 02, 2024Nurse Navigators at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center break down barriers that patients might experience, from insurance issues to appointment scheduling to transportation needs, just about anything that weighs on the mind of a patient.
Read More Additional information about Navigating the Journey: Breast cancer patient finds ‘miracle worker’Tomball man gets new lease on life after heart attack
SEP 26, 2024Tomball man gets new lease on life after heart attack and multiple cardiac arrests. See how our St. Luke's Health cardiologists were able to help.
Read More Additional information about Tomball man gets new lease on life after heart attack