Change of Heart: My Journey of Transplantation, Revelation & Transformation

by Kristy Sidlar, Elizabeth Ann Atkins (Editor)

​​She was loving her life as a healthy, young professional and fitness instructor. But one day while teaching an aerobics class, she collapsed-and spiraled into a life-threatening health crisis. Kristy Sidlar needed a new heart. Now, in her gripping memoir, Change of My Journey of Transplantation, Revelation & Transformation , she provides fascinating and inspiring insight into her extraordinary survival story that chronicles her frightening heart failure-and her triumph over what could have ended her vibrant life far too early. In engaging vignettes, Kristy takes you on an intimate journey as her failing health prompts doctors to put her on the heart transplant list. Then, miraculously, a donor heart becomes available. Page by page, Kristy takes you through her death-defying experience as she courageously-and optimistically-endures surgery and recovery. Then she embarks on a new life that's so healthy and energetic, she's training for a triathlon. While Kristy shares her story in a way that sparkles with her humorous, upbeat personality, she also introduces you to her Wellness Widget, a tool that she created for anyone wanting to cultivate wellness across multiple dimensions of their lives. This book makes you laugh, cry, and ponder deep questions about living and dying, while inspiring you to cherish your life and loved ones as never before. Thanks to an organ donor family that was grieving the loss of their loved one, Kristy explores the power of gratitude and the inexpressible joy that the greatest gift of life can bring. Kristy is on a mission to use her remarkable survival story as a heart transplant recipient to encourage men and women everywhere to make overall wellness a priority. She advocates for heart health, especially for women, as a long-time volunteer and board member for the American Heart Association. And she's a board member for Project Beautiful - Inside and Out. Her career in the staffing and recruiting industry has enabled her to live and work in Singapore, and travel the world.  A Michigan native, Kristy has a Bachelor of Arts from Hope College. She and her husband, Dave, enjoy spending time in Northern California. Kristy's hobbies include photography, fitness, card-making, and driving and admiring exotic and classic cars. After completing three 5K races since her surgery, she's currently training for a triathlon.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2022

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional, inspirational book. Kristy is an exercise enthusiast when she learns that she has a life threatening heart condition. She remains optimistic and with the support of her loving husband, her family and devoted friends, she continues to live her best life under the watchful eyes of her medical support team. Her heart condition, over 20 years, becomes very serious and a heart transplant is necessary. This book details Kristy’s journey through her discovery of her condition and Kristy’s transformation after her transplant. A stellar read!

[Jenni Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an inspiring, heart-felt and courageous journey through Kristy's Change of Heart. I was on the message chains and even saw Kristy after her transplant, but until reading this really didn't comprehend everything she had been through and overcame. Kristy is a wonder woman whose positivity, experience and life in general inspires one to be and do better always. Kristy is amazing and dynamic just like this book! If you want to learn more about heart transplants, work on yourself or start looking at the world with a fresh perspective, this is the book to read!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristy, an avid exercise enthusiast, had to greatly modify her life after a diagnosis of a rare heart disease. Her positive attitude and healthy life style made a big difference during the twenty years between diagnosis and her heart transplant and certainly during recovery. It was fascinating to hear the details of what happens during a heart transplant. Kristy talks about the importance of heart health screening and living a healthy life style. Her story is incredibly inspirational and heart-warming. A great read!

[Eva Youshock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A serious topic dealt with great humor

This is an autobiographical telling of the author’s dealings with a very serious heart condition that seemed to come out of nowhere , and subsequently led to a heart transplant. It is told with incredible lightheartedness and humor.

I gave it a 5 star rating because, although not “great literature” in the traditional sense, this is very well written by an ordinary person telling her story.

I think most people would really take something away after reading this. It should be read by anyone who is feeling sorry for themselves, especially if it’s not truly warranted.

I met the author, who graciously came to my book club, and she really is a lovely and humble person.

[Katey Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impactful, educational, and delightful read. Kristy shows perseverance and the power of positive thinking as she goes through the hardest transition in her life. I am also a fan of the Wellness Widget at the end, that acts as sort of a workbook to apply the principles to your own life and working through hardship.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get to know Kristy!

Ms. Sidlar is a great writer. She draws you right into the center of her life. Positive and upbeat, I was hooked as soon as I started reading and loved learning about her and her transplant journey!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely amazing story of a strong and accomplished woman who is faced with a serious heart condition. how kristy lives her life and keeps a positive outlook is inspiring. i highly recommend this book to all.

[Mark Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Greys,anatomy

Its a good easy read slot of good tools for life. I like the easy read parts not preachy . do some walking.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for someone preparing for an organ transplant or knows someone who is going through the process.