SURVIVOR STORY: Bob Cummings

A New Heart for Bob and A Stay at HeartBrothers House for Wife & Caregiver, Kelly

In March, Bob Cummings finally received a new heart and kidney at Tufts Medical Center after many long, difficult months. His wife, Kelly, hopes he’ll be home within a month.

Bob, 57, was diagnosed with heart failure 18 months ago. Doctors suspect it was caused by a virus. The day after Thanksgiving, he went to Tufts for what he thought would be a few days of tests and treatments.

“Bob was quite sick when he got there,” Kelly recounted. “They very quickly realized he needed a new heart.” He’s been in the hospital ever since.

Because they live near Concord, New Hampshire, the drive back and forth every day was just too much for Kelly. “I wasn’t functioning,” she said. “There’s no way I could do it.”

When a Tufts social worker told her about HeartBrothers House, she jumped at the chance to stay in a luxury unit at Church Park Apartments so close to the hospital.

“What a blessing,” Kelly said. “I had been paying around $189 a night at hotels. Compare that to just $40 at the HeartBrothers House. And you can’t cook a meal in a hotel. I hadn’t had a hot meal in weeks.”

Kelly has stayed at HeartBrothers House off and on for several months now. She and her two children even spent Christmas there.

“It has made such a big difference. It’s been huge. I don’t know what I would do without it. I want the HeartBrothers to know how much I really appreciate them.”

With all our hearts, everyone at HeartBrothers Foundation wishes Bob & Kelly a healthy, successful, post-transplant journey.