Indiana Woman's Loss Leads To New Life For Best Friend In Rare Organ Transplant
(CBS) -- Vicki Olds of Crown Point, Indiana and Tanisha Basham, of University Park, grew up together.
"We've been friends for 35 years," Olds said.
But now the two women share more than just friendship. After Olds lost her 18-year-old daughter Nikki last summer in a drowning accident, she decided to give the ultimate gift to her friend.
"It was the worst day of my life but when Gift of Hope came to me and ask me if I knew anybody, would I be willing to donate her organs, and if I knew anybody directly, Tanisha was my first thought," Olds said. "I knew her situation, so why not donate?"
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Tanisha Brasham was added to the heart transplant waiting list in December 2013 and underwent surgery to implant a left ventricular assist device, or VAD, that helped to pump blood through her body – a bridge procedure until a suitable donor was found. Basham at first refused the transplant offer.
"I felt guilty. But Vicki came over to me and said Tanisha, there is no one else I would ever want to have her heart but you, don't feel bad about that. Nikki would want you to have her heart," said Basham.
Basham would turn out to be a perfect match and had the transplant two days later.
"When I woke up from the transplant, I heard this loud noise and I asked the nurse what it was. She said, 'that's your heart.' Right away I started crying because it was so loud and I knew I was listening to Nikki," Basham said.
Basham says Olds gave her new life and new hope.
"I feel wonderful," she said. "I feel great. I can breathe, I can walk, I can do everything I couldn't do before. I feel wonderful."
Basham says she carries a picture of Nikki on her phone to remind her of who gave her a second chance at life.
"I have the picture of Nikki in a super hero outfit," she said. "She's my hero. So is her mom. You can't hope for someone to die so you can live. I was happy and sad at the same time. For someone that I know, that I watched grow up, I feel close to her."
Olds accompanied Basham to her first echocardiogram, an experience she says is hard to explain.
"It was overwhelming. I actually heard her heart and I sat there and cried. I couldn't stop crying to know that this is my baby living inside Tanisha. It was the most overwhelming thing any parent can experience but it was also a blessing because I know Tanisha is going to be here to see her kids live on," said Olds.
"Vicki was with me at my first echo," Basham said. "And I felt that I was able to return that gift she gave me because she was able to see her baby's heart and hear it for the first time inside of me and I feel there is a close bond between us because of that. Vicki said now we're connected by blood forever, you have my baby's heart, now I can watch her grow through you."
Nikki's kidney also went to another family friend, a second direct donation.
"Direct donations are very unusual," said Dr. Antone Tatooles, heart transplant surgeon for Advocate Christ Heart Institute. "This is my first time with this. There was a pre-existing relation and we are so privileged to be part of her health care. As tragic as one event is, it's great for the other event. You go in with mixed emotions."
"We get the phone call that it's a directed donor to a specific individual, that's the first person to consider. If it weren't a match, it would go down the usual way."
Olds has partnered with the Chicago Heights Park District to create a foundation called "Smile For Nikki", a performing arts program for students.
"Nikki loved to sing and dance and this gives the opportunity to kids who wouldn't normally be able to participate. I hope to name a school after her someday," said Olds.
In the meantime, she says she uses Nikki's legacy to encourage others to be organ donors.
"Everybody loved my child. She was my angel. I was in the position to preserve life for somebody else, even though I lost my baby, I know she would've wanted me to do that. We made the right decision for her and for all who received her donations," said Olds.
