Cincinnati, OH -- When Greg Osterman of Loveland crosses the finish line at the 98th Thanksgiving Day Run & Walk at Paul Brown Stadium, he will be celebrating more than his successful completion of the race. He will demonstrate that you can not only survive, but also thrive after suffering two life-threatening illnesses.
In 1990 at the age of 35, Osterman was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a life-threatening viral infection that affects the heart. Two years of treatment with medications stabilized the illness, but then ceased being effective. On October 26, 1992, Osterman received a heart transplant at University Hospital. The transplant was a success and he appeared to have the worst behind him.
"But my immune system became compromised because of the anti-rejection medications, and I developed Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in my intestines," Osterman explained. "Five months later I went back to University where they took out my colon, gall bladder and portions of my large and small intestines. They fixed me up, and I spent most of 1993 recovering."
Following his year of recuperation, Osterman decided that the best course of action would be to gain his strength back through running, and in 1994 he ran in his first mini-marathon. He has now run in a total of eight marathons around the country as well as internationally, including the New York marathon, four Flying Pig marathons and the Organ Donor Awareness Race - a 200-mile relay from the Napa Valley to the Santa Cruz boardwalk. His first full marathon was the Bermuda International Race. He also ran in two Casino Niagara races in Ontario, Canada.
"I want people to know that the reason I am here today is because of the great medical staff at University Hospital," Osterman says. "I never would have made it this far without them."
As a testament of his gratitude for University Hospital, Osterman will be sporting a "Living Proof" T-shirt at the race. Living Proof is the hospital's campaign that honors patients who have survived life-threatening illnesses with the help of University Hospital.
University Hospital offers extensive support services to transplant patients both before surgery and after, including a financial coordinator, the Change of Heart Support Group, financial assistance for procedures and medications, and a nurse practitioner who is on call around the clock.
"We really care about the patients, and they know it," says Heart Transplant Coordinator Nancy McGuire. "One time we couldn't reach a patient, so a couple of our staff members went to their home to check on them."
Follow-up care continues indefinitely, as evidenced by their continued support of Osterman. "Greg is doing so well and is so busy living life, that it is sometimes difficult to get him to come in for routine clinic visits," McGuire muses.
There are not many heart transplant recipients entering their ninth marathon, so for Osterman, each one represents another victory. "And this is a victory for University Hospital and all the people who helped me get there. I am proud to wear the Living Proof T-shirt."
University Hospital is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system of physicians and hospitals serving Greater Cincinnati. University Hospital provides primary care and specialized inpatient and outpatient services to more than 500,000 patients per year. It is home to the area's only adult Level I Trauma Center, accredited helicopter ambulance service, and multi-solid organ transplant center and is consistently ranked in U.S. News & World Report's annual guide to America's Best Hospitals. To view other Health Alliance news releases, go to www.healthalliance.com/pressroom.
