Gift of life as dad gets new heart
Even doc is ‘shocked’ by amazing recovery
Wilbert Gibson felt like a bomb just exploded in his gut, leaving him breathless and paralyzed with pain.
The terrifying April episode eventually led the worried 60-year-old Brooklyn man to Mount Sinai Hospital, where an astute heart doctor discovered Gibson’s excruciating affliction was actually a rare and difficult to detect heart condition.
An emergency June 4 transplant saved his life, sending the lucky dad home with his new heart just in time to celebrate Father’s Day with his wife and three adult children — including 10-year NBA veteran Taj Gibson of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“To come out of it to where I am now, these people are incredible,” a grateful Wilbert Gibson told the Daily News as tears streamed down his face. “They really are incredible.”
Gibson suffered various other symptoms, from tingling fingers to high blood pressure, and visited several physicians before finally consulting with Mount Sinai cardiologist Dr. Donna Mancini.
After the doctor met with Gibson, analyzing his symptoms and running tests, she reached a diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis and immediately placed him on the transplant list.
“He had an unusual form of heart failure,” said Mancini during a post-op visit with Wilbert, gently placing a gloved hand on her patient’s back. “It’s actually an underrecognized disease in the African-American population. It really is widely prevalent but under-diagnosed.”
Roughly 3%-4% of African Americans carry the abnormal gene that develops into cardiac amyloidosis, an ailment caused by deposits of proteins in the heart tissue that prevent the organ from contracting properly.
“When I first saw him, he could barely breathe,” recalled Mancini. “So seeing him now is honestly shocking, to compare the two states.”
Gibson recalled immediately calling Sharon, his wife of 34 years, after learning a donor heart was located.
“I just cried on the phone,” said Gibson. “I didn’t know how to respond.”
The wait for a donor can typically take six months or more, with some patients dying before receiving a transplant. Luckily, Gibson’s AB-positive blood type aided in swiftly finding a compatible donor heart.
“It’s been an uphill battle,” said son Taj, 33, gesturing toward his father with a respectful nod and smile. “My dad has been tough this whole time. It had its bad days and it had its good days, but he fought through with a smile on his face these last couple of days.”
Daughter Jasu Gibson, 40 and son Ajaie, 24, joined their brother and mom in standing watch over the family patriarch. Each was draped in a yellow cloth isolation gown to reduce the chance of infection. “Dr. Mancini may be small in stature but she has a big heart and strong presence,” said Jasu Gibson.
With Father’s Day here, Taj and Ajaie are using their dad’s experience as a way to heighten awareness about leading a more health-conscious life. “As men, the first thing we think is ‘we’ll be OK’ and that’s not always the case,” said Taj. “Just seeing how my dad has been in the situation has prepared me for the future, especially being an African-American male.” The family mourns for the heart donor and their family, but are elated to celebrate Gibson’s new lease on life and grateful to his doctors. “They’re listening to you and what symptoms and problems you’re having so they know where to go and maybe find out what they need to do to help you,” said Wilbert Gibson.