Like most military spouses, Lisa Tork is a tough woman able to adapt to change and handle what life throws her way. Born in Fairmont, W.Va., Tork and her Husband John moved around quite a bit while he was on active duty, living in California, North Carolina and back to West Virginia.
They moved to Wheeling in 2005, and the family made the decision that Lisa and their young daughter Emily remain in Wheeling for stability both in life and schooling. So, while the Army sent John across the country and around the world, Lisa and Emily Tork made their life in the Friendly City.
Lisa worked as a counselor and substitute teacher in the military school system, as well as managing an after-school program. She is also an active member of the Auxiliary to VFW Post 4442 in Elm Grove. But as her daughter aged into the public-school system, she made a point to get involved, serving both on the Woodsdale and Triadelphia PTOs. She helped with homework, attending her sporting events and school activities, exactly what you’d expect from a doting mother.
The family would get together whenever John was home, but the majority of the time, it was mom and daughter against the world. Being a military spouse, you learn to live with the real possibility that something unspeakable could happen while your significant other is deployed.
But Lisa Tork never imagined that it was her life, and not John’s, that would be seconds from finality.
When did you first learn of the advanced heart failure diagnosis or knew something was wrong that needed to get checked out?
I hadn’t been feeling great for a while but when things crashed it was quickly. I had been under medical care, but it is interesting how symptoms can point in the wrong direction. It appeared to be mostly stomach-related issues. I thought maybe it was my gallbladder. I had been an active person my entire life. Heart failure didn’t cross my mind. Then came November 2018 when my daughter Emily came home to find me completely out of my mind. I don’t remember but she called 911 and I was taken to Wheeling Hospital. Initially, they thought my pancreas was failing. However, they found a large clot in my heart, my ejection fraction was 6.
I was transferred to UPMC Presbyterian. My family had rushed to Pittsburgh and met an incredible doctor named Christopher Sciortino. He told them I had about three hours to live without major intervention and some luck. He quickly had me on ECMO life support and my family was making all my decisions. It was many more days before I was capable of being aware of anything. I give Wheeling Hospital much credit for caring well for me and quickly transferring me where they knew I needed to be. That was the first good decision that saved my life.
What was your reaction to hearing you’d need a heart transplant and what were your thoughts on the probability one would become available?
I was shocked. I woke up very confused. I couldn’t move my legs, so I thought I had been in a car accident. Dr. Sciortino was very thorough in his explanation. I was implanted with a Ventricular Assist Device as a bridge to transplant. It worked for my failing left ventricle while my medical team and I worked to get me strong enough to survive a transplant. At first that was the priority. But he did explain the donor matching process and waiting list. It isn’t simply a list. Blood type, body size, antibodies and so forth determine everything. There are many factors that determine a person’s wait on the list. He said my blood type and size were in my favor. When I was officially listed in May 2019, I waited exactly two weeks. That is incredible, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Your husband served overseas and was in real danger. Then, once he’s finally home and that worry can be eased, it’s your life that’s in peril. How hard was that, not only for you, but the impact it had on your daughter?
Yes. My daughter has dealt with a lot in her 19 years. She was preparing for high school graduation and applying to college. I am forever grateful to the woman who was her guidance counselor at Park, Emily Trifaro. She guided my Emily through everything and did not let her fall behind. She is an angel. Em graduated Summa Cum Laude, was a Stifel Award winner for being named English Scholar of the year and is now studying Accounting at West Liberty University as an Elbin’s scholar. It is amazing considering all the days she missed being at UPMC. I could not be more proud of my daughter’s strength.
There isn’t enough time in the world to explain the role she has played in my recovery. She is the person I’ve most been able to count on for everything. My medical team has praised her maturity and ability to understand everything at such a young age. She says this has made her grow up fast and helped her see the importance of living for the day. As you mentioned, her father was deployed many times. She and I are incredibly close, and this experience bonded us more than ever.
At any point did you have to have that conversation in your head about planning for potential negative outcomes and making sure the family was prepared and your affairs were in order? If so, how difficult was that?
Yes. I did face all those thoughts. There was a very specific day I had a private conversation with my daughter about what I wanted for her if I didn’t make it and how special she made my life. It was very emotional as anyone could imagine. I remember another conversation I had with my sister, Cindy. When you are in that situation, those are the things that are important. When you are possibly facing death, you don’t think about anything material, at least I didn’t. I knew my belongings would go to my family. I had a will. I was concerned about how I would be leaving people. I wondered if I lived my life well enough to have made some little positive difference in the world.
How has the recovery been going? Do you feel you have a new lease on life and are doing things you never thought of doing before or put off doing?
It’s been overall great. I work out almost daily. The functioning of my new heart is perfect. Dr. Sciortino is intelligent and skilled beyond belief. The anti-rejection medications can be rough. The first year has some trial and error because everyone’s body is different. The physical healing has been easier for me than the emotional part. Knowing someone’s last act on earth was literally to give you their heart is indescribable. I hope my donor’s family is finding peace and comfort. And yes! My daughter and I are planning a cross country trip together for later this year. I became interested in the pharmacy side of the medical world. I recently started a training program. One of the first things I did after my transplant was to buy tickets to see Pat Benatar in concert because I’ve always wanted to. I do silly little things like that. I am hoping to live the best life possible in honor of two people. The first being my heart donor. I want to live in a way that would make her proud. She is literally a part of me and everything I do is for both of us. The second person is my maternal grandmother. She passed away in August, we were very close. If she is looking down, I want her to see I’m not a quitter largely because of her influence.
