A laptop or possibly a notebook would be commonplace in a backpack, but a replacement heart? That one is interesting, though.
It was also unnoticeable to onlookers, since the Michigan resident gave the impression of being a normal, healthy young adult.
Despite its seemingly innocent appearance, Stan’s grey backpack was actually keeping him alive.
He even managed to play basketball while wearing the backpack.
In November 2014, Stan’s natural heart was removed from his body and replaced with an artificial one, allowing him to avoid hospital stays while awaiting a transplant.
“Most people would be scared to go so long with [an artificial heart], but I just want to tell them that you have to go through the fear, because it helps you,” he told CNN shortly after the operation.
Sadly, transplant candidates may have to wait years to receive the required care, according to cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Billy Cohn.
“Many of these patients have hearts that are so weak, the kidneys, liver and other critical organs will fail while they are waiting,” he said.
Stan required the transplant because he had familial cardiomyopathy, a genetic form of cardiac illness.
The Division of Cardiology defines familial cardiomyopathy as “a heart disorder characterized by an enlarged heart diameter and weak pumping function.”
The kind of cardiomyopathy that Stan had, according to Stan’s surgeon Dr. Jonathan Haft, results in arrhythmias and cardiac failure on both sides of the body.
