Rochelle Johnson
Normally calm, mother of three Rochelle Johnson's relaxed voice is laced with mixed emotions when she talks about her journey with congestive heart failure. Rochelle’s path to a healthy heart included some stumbles. But her team of Houston Methodist physicians, nurses and research scientists helped her find a way to return to a normal life.
Before undergoing heart transplant surgery, her life was constantly interrupted with hospital emergency room visits and short-term stays. Rochelle had developed postpartum cardiomyopathy, a condition that occurs in some pregnant women, that severely weakened her heart.
After more than two years of medical treatment, Rochelle received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a pump that kept her heart beating while she waited for a transplant. In September 2009, Rochelle got that second chance at life — a successful heart transplant that revived her fighting spirit.
Rochelle has since returned home to her family. Her team at Houston Methodist will continue to monitor her heart closely to ensure she and it remain strong and healthy.
Before undergoing heart transplant surgery, her life was constantly interrupted with hospital emergency room visits and short-term stays. Rochelle had developed postpartum cardiomyopathy, a condition that occurs in some pregnant women, that severely weakened her heart.
After more than two years of medical treatment, Rochelle received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a pump that kept her heart beating while she waited for a transplant. In September 2009, Rochelle got that second chance at life — a successful heart transplant that revived her fighting spirit.
Rochelle has since returned home to her family. Her team at Houston Methodist will continue to monitor her heart closely to ensure she and it remain strong and healthy.
