CMS student prepares for second heart transplant

Katelyn Stone, 15, is remaining as active as she can as a Cook Middle School eighth grader while she awaits a donor for her second heart transplant.

Katelyn’s parents are Lyn and Katrina Stone.

Katelyn was born with a very rare congenital heart defect, Hypo-Plastic Left Heart Syndrome. Basically, she was born with half a heart. “When she was born, she was blue,” her mom said. “She didn’t have proper blood flow to her organs.”

Katelyn has undergone multiple open heart surgeries. On June 23, 2012, she received a transplanted heart from a young donor when she was 3 1/2 years old at Children’s Health Care of Atlanta – Egleston Hospital. Dr. William T. Mahle, Chief of Cardiology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Heart Center, is the cardiologist.

Katelyn was hospitalized for a couple of weeks after her first transplant. She and her family then had to stay at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital for two months due to the risk of complications. “The first year is rough,” Mrs. Stone said. 

Dr. Mahle and his team are standing by to transplant the second heart for Katelyn. The heart donated by the family of a younger person who has passed away will have to be carefully matched to Katelyn to prevent rejection and other complications. 

The first transplanted heart is starting to wear out, but Katelyn’s energy level is strong enough that she continues to go to school. She enjoys being outside in the sunshine and fresh air, playing with her dogs and cats, and being on a swing at home, her mom said. At school, she has played on the CMS golf team when they are in season. Her physical therapist has noted the positive effects of all her outdoor exercise. 

Katelyn is not at the critical level yet, but she needs the transplant as soon as a perfect match becomes available.

A transplanted heart should be good for 20 years, but Katelyn had other health issues that expedited the need for a second transplant. 

Katelyn takes several medications, including anti-rejection drugs. Her health has to be monitored very closely. She was once hospitalized for pneumonia for four weeks and has battled COVID twice.

The need for a second transplant comes at a tough time for the family. Mr. Stone, the Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Man of the Year, owns the Badcock Home Furniture & More of Adel and four other Badcock stores. Badcock Furniture Corporation announced recently that it is going out of business after 120 years. However, Mr. Stone has announced that he is exploring opportunities to rebrand his businesses and come back bigger and better.

Mrs. Stone said faith in God is helping them make it through all the hardships they are facing. “The Lord has helped us and guided us,” she said. “He is with us. We’re working through it all.” 

Mrs. Stone works as a substitute teacher at Cook Elementary School, and remains available to travel with Katelyn to her medical appointments.

Katelyn also likes watching her sister Chloe, 18, play softball (she is a former Cook High School Lady Hornet who received a softball scholarship at ABAC), and her brother Rece, 12, play baseball (he was a member of the 12U Adel-Cook Recreation team that won District and plays with the CMS Baseball Hornets).

Two fundraisers are being held to help Katelyn’s family with such expenses as travel, lodging, and food. 

Students, faculty, and staff at Cook Elementary School and Cook Middle School are collecting aluminum can tabs for Katelyn. 

You may contact Katrina for information regarding pick-up or drop-off. For questions, please call (229) 560-7880 or contact her at katrinadovestone@gmail.com

For donations, please go to Venmo: @KatrinaDStone84.

Meanwhile, organizers are hosting a benefit tournament for Katelyn at Good Times Motel & Marina on Oct. 12, 2024, at Steinhatchee, Fla. More information will be released along with a new event page. The information will be on the Facebook page of Good Times Marina. Anybody wanting to donate or help may reach the organizer at (229) 398-8264. Also, you may follow Captain Bobbi Brady on Facebook and TikTok.