Instagram story viewer> @kylee_o> Posts

Kylee Odgers

@kylee_o

1.4K

followers

1185

following

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Happy Donate Life Month! Sorry I’m a bit late. Here’s a quick synopsis of my super fun time going into heart failure and needing a heart transplant at 14, yay!

I was diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy at 3 months old. Thanks to the amazing cardiologists at Children’s Mercy I was able to live a relatively normal life for 14 years.

In December 2013, I unknowingly started having symptoms of heart failure. My heart function had dropped to around 30% and eventually declined into the low teens. I was flown to St. Louis Children’s Hospital to be evaluated and eventually receive a heart transplant. I was actually considered too sick to even be listed at first so I needed a biventricular assist device to keep me alive and stable enough to become eligible for transplant and wait for a new heart. Two weeks after being listed on January 29, 2014, I got my new heart. And because I believe every good story needs a little symbolism I got to go home on Valentine’s Day.

It’s hard to explain my feelings knowing I’m here because of someone else’s loss. It’s very bittersweet. I don’t know much about my donor only that they were around my age and their life ended way too soon. I don’t know who they were or all the things they should have gotten to grow up and experience. But because of them and their family I got the chance to keep living my life. I hope their family knows their loved one is not forgotten. I carry a part of them with me every day and I hope I’m living a life that would make them proud.

I can never repay what they gave me but I can honor it by making the most of this life and advocating for organ donation no matter how annoying I may get. I complain about life sometimes (probably a lot), but I’m so grateful I get to be here. Life is messy and hard and weird, but it’s also so beautiful, and I get to experience all of it because someone gave me that chance.

Please consider becoming an organ donor and talk with your family about your wishes. One donor can save multiple lives and give people years they otherwise would never have had. I’ll put the link in my bio but it might take me a while because I’m dumb and don’t get Instagram. Love ya! ❤️ by @kylee_o

3

9

7 years ago

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put into words how thankful I am for this incredible day. Thank you so much Chloë and her wonderful brother Colin for taking me to Disneyland and making my wish more amazing than I ever could have imagined. You're both such beautiful people inside and out, with the most beautiful hearts. Spending the day with you was easily the best day of my life, and I’ll never forget it.

Chloë, thank you for being such an inspiration to me and to young women everywhere. Keep doing what you’re doing and being the amazing person you are. Thank you both for giving me memories I’ll cherish forever. I love you both so much! ❤️ taken in Disneyland by @kylee_o

8k

110

9 years ago

My muse by @kylee_o

3

2

2 months ago

Just the little moments in between the big moments. by @kylee_o

3

2

3 months ago

Post wedding shenanigans and some hand holding taken in New York City by @kylee_o

3

1

4 months ago

Sister of the bride/maid of honor/florist/ring holder, etc. taken in Brooklyn, New York by @kylee_o

3

8

5 months ago

My heart is 12 years old today! They grow up so fast! Forever grateful for my donor, their family, and every healthcare worker who helped me get here. Holding my donor and their family close in my heart today and every day forever. As always cheers to many more years. It’s also my yearly reminder to become an organ donor! It’s actually been statistically proven that you’re a much cooler and hotter person if you’re an organ donor, and you don’t need to look that up, just trust me! by @kylee_o

3

9

9 months ago

Ruth by @kylee_o

3

9

a year ago

Celebrating 11 years without a broken heart! Cheers to many more! by @kylee_o

3

16

2 years ago

I love my squishmallows by @kylee_o

3

3

2 years ago

Norman you’re so cool by @kylee_o

3

2

2 years ago

I like dogs and please ignore the grease separation in my hair by @kylee_o

3

3

3 years ago