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Diana, with heart damage that extensive and permanent, 10 years is the average life span. I know, because that is Gary's. He is 6 years post diagnosis - so sometimes we think about, 4 more years....... and it is really hard.
She can have a wonderful life between now and then - and maybe they will decide to put her on the transplant list too. How old is she? That will determine a lot if she is eligible for a transplant. Gary is 60 and he would be on the transplant list, but his lungs are very damaged from asthma and a previous fungal infection - so a new heart would not solve all his problems.
Again, with good doctors, good medications, proper exercise, rest, and a positive outlook, she can do many many things in the next few years. Her life will change for sure. She won't be as active as she was before, she'll have to rest more and ask for more help. It is really really hard.
Gary woke up one morning in heart failure, it wasn't gradual, boom! it was there. His career was in building houses - he was a carptenter - and suddenly he had trouble walking from the bed to the chair. But as you know he can do lots of things now, with lifestyle modifications. It takes time and it is very very frustrating and upsetting, but this condition can be dealt with and she can have a very positive quality of life.
I hope she continues to improve and i hope she has a doctor that is a cardiologist who specializes in heart failure. A cardiologist who specializes in heart failure will know better how to treat her than a regular cardiologist. Gary has been with his heart failure specialist for about 5 years and he has felt MUCH better under her care than the first year with a regular cardiologist.
It will be a long road, but it can be a good road!
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 Gayle
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