By Standard-Examiner correspondent
Chugg’s daughter, Bambi Chugg Thomas, developed the heart condition after giving birth to her daughter, Ellie, on Christmas Eve 2002.
Shortly after her delivery, Thomas went into cardiac arrest and was flown to LDS Hospital and placed on the heart transplant list. During the wait, she was placed on a mechanical heart.
Sadly, Thomas would never receive a new heart. She died on Aug. 20, 2003, due to an aneurysm.
While she was still alive, The Bambi Chugg Thomas Healing Hearts Foundation was established. Thomas helped get it up and running while still in the hospital, said her mother. The foundation helps to educate about organ donation and postpartum cardiomyopathy.
“I never thought there would be anything in my life that would be as important as organ donation,” Chugg said. “It has united our families in many ways. You do become a part of a bigger family as you work with families that have lost loved ones or those who have received a transplant. They say 1 in 30,000 women will develop postpartum cardiomyopathy and they say that’s rare. I say it’s not rare.”
Postpartum cardiomyopathy is the onset of heart failure during the last month of pregnancy and up to six months postpartum, according to www.ppcmdrfett.com. The website, established by Dr. James Fett, who has done much research on the condition, states in the United States 1 in 2,000 to 4,000 pregnant women end up with PPCM, and most women have no previous history of heart disease.
The cause of PPCM is still under investigation, although some leading suspects include viral infections, autoimmune or immune system dysfunction, pregnancy-associated hormones and genetic factors. The website also states pregnancy-altered hormones, immune system changes during pregnancy and increased heart workload appear to play a role.
Symptoms of PPCM include fatigue, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath with activity or when lying down, swelling of the ankles, feet, hands and face, heart palpitations, a racing heartbeat, a cough that won’t go away, mild or severe chest pain and frequent nighttime urination.
Tests include an echocardiogram, blood work and a chest X-ray. Treatment includes medication and in some cases a heart transplant.
“When this happened to Bambi, they didn’t know very much about it. Unfortunately that hasn’t changed much,” Chugg said. “Bambi’s story has helped, but there’s a lot more to do.”
Chugg said her daughter wasn’t due to deliver until January, but around Dec. 23, her heart started to race. Her ejection fraction, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps out of the body with each beat, was 17 percent. A normal ejection fraction is 65 to 70 percent.
“Bambi never understood how sick she was,” Chugg said. “If we were watching TV and she would see someone who had a problem, she would say, ‘See, I’m not that bad.’ I would look at her and say, ‘You’re on life support, so how are you better off?’”
While waiting for a heart, Thomas visited schools to talk about the importance of organ donation. A video produced by the Standard-Examiner has been translated into French and German and still can be viewed on YouTube.
“In January my husband Rick and I were invited to Madison, Wisconsin, where I spoke to an organ donor organization. They use the DVD of Bambi’s story at all 14 of their hospitals for training and have been using it for the past four years,” Chugg said. “It was such an honor to see the impact her life has been.”
In addition to the foundation, the family is now giving a $500 scholarship to Miss Roy. Thomas herself was a Miss Roy. The family also hopes to create a scholarship with Weber State University.
Today, Ellie is a beautiful 8-year-old girl who is tall like her father, Danny, and as stunning as her mother, Chugg said. She’s a busy second-grader who loves spending time with her two sisters and is learning how to ride horses.
The family hopes to continue educating others on the importance of organ donation as well as raise money for continued research on PPCM.
“Bambi’s life has changed our lives and many, many others also,” Chugg said. “She is my hero.”
To learn more about PPCM and organ donation or to donate, go to www.bambithomashealingheartsfoundation.com. The foundation is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.
The family hopes to continue educating others on the importance of organ donation as well as raise money for continued research on PPCM.
“Bambi’s life has changed our lives and many, many others also,” Chugg said. “She is my hero.”
To learn more about PPCM and organ donation or to donate, go to www.bambithomashealingheartsfoundation.com. The foundation is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.
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