There are moments in this LVAD journey that hit different—and today was one of them.
I got the call.
Not the call, but that call. The one where your heart skips, your breath pauses, and your mind starts racing. My transplant team called to let me know I’ve been officially boosted to Level 3 on the transplant list—but only for the next 30 days.
This “boost” is something patients like me are eligible for once a year. They don’t do it randomly. They time it—strategically—around holidays, when people are, well… more reckless. Car accidents, tragedies, lapses in judgment. It’s the harsh reality behind these statistics. The uncomfortable truth is: for me to get the heart I need to live… someone else’s story has to end.
And knowing that? That never gets easier.
You’d think that after 10 years of living with an LVAD, I’d be calm, cool, collected about all this. But truthfully? My nerves are shot. Every time my phone buzzes, I jump. Every unknown number makes me hold my breath. I brace myself for life to shift in an instant.
Still, I hold it together. I smile. I laugh. I get back to work. Because that’s what I do. Because I’m a father. Because I’m a photographer. Because I’m a man with a purpose and a future. And because I learned long ago—never let them see you sweat.
This image above? That’s how I choose to face these 30 days. Crown on. Shoulders square. Sunglasses steady. Faith full.
So for the next month, say a prayer for me. Keep my family in your thoughts. And if I seem a little on edge, forgive me—it’s not easy waiting for a call that could change everything.
But I’m ready. As ready as anyone can be for something like this.
—Shawn
👑🖤
#LVADStrong #TransplantJourney #FaithOverFear #ConnorsStudios #HeartOfALion
Shawn Connors
Executive Producer/Host - Connors Studios
Meet Shawn Connors, a man who’s faced some tough health challenges. Born with a heart murmur, he had his first heart surgery at just three. But life threw him another curveball when he was 37, diagnosed with DIFIB.
Things got even worse when Shawn’s wife, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, fell ill at 40. Shawn, determined to take care of her, was also battling his own health issues. It was clear that he needed an LVAD. Six months after the implant, Shawn’s wife sadly passed away, leaving him as the sole caregiver for their two elementary-aged children.
Despite the immense grief, Shawn found a way to channel his emotions into something positive. He started a podcast called LVAD Talk, where he interviews other LVADers, including heart transplant recipients. His videos and podcasts are available on YouTube and LVADTalk.com.
In addition to his podcast, Shawn is also the owner of Connors Studio, where he creates and specializes in portraiture and lifestyle photography.
🌊 One of the Things I Miss Before My LVAD: Swimming
