INDIANAPOLIS — After months of waiting and dozens of hours of rehab, Jeff Taber says he's excited to be returning to the "fun chaos" of home.
Taber, who had a Congenital Heart Defect, spent more than two years on the heart transplant list and has been at Riley Hospital since January. His old heart was enlarged, which affected his ability to breathe and his energy levels.
"With the [previous] heart, I would get fatigued very quickly so that was always the issue- those are the things now that aren't affecting me as much."
He received his donor heart on July 6.
WRTV first introduced you to Taber in February.Before his transplant, Taber said his focus was on maintaining his health so his body would be ready when a heart was available. Now, he can continue looking forward.
"[I've been] doing things that I've been wanting to do and being able to, you know, actually make goals that are progress. Back before [the transplant], it was always maintenance and no real improvement," Taber said. "Now [I] continue to set goals and continue to meet goals."
He says his faith and his family have gotten him through. Taber is a husband and father of eight.
IU Health houses one of the largest Adult Congenital Heart Defect programs in the Midwest. Taber is a part of the program through Riley.
CHD is the most common birth defect in the United States, according to the CDC.
-
Local businesses concerned about future in Circle Centre Mall
“Some believe we’re being pushed out, but we’re being kicked out.” A new company took over the mall with new plans for it, but it’s leaving some business owners frustrated.
1984: Jukebox collection, classic cars fill new 1950s-themed restaurant
Jim Head began collecting jukeboxes in 1976. Head displayed some of that collection inside Sha-Boom's, a restaurant he opened in November 1984.
IMPD locate missing 6-month-old boy safely
IMPD announced a six-month-old baby who was reported missing on Wednesday night has been located safely.
Retailers say they're ready for potential Trump tariffs
President-elect Trump is promising major tariffs that could impact retailers and their consumers. Here's how businesses say they may have to change their operations.
