Posted: Sep 25, 2014 2:08 PM Updated: Sep 26, 2014 7:53 AM
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) — The road to recovery has been a bumpy one for Mankato native Alyssa Sandeen, who underwent her first heart transplant when she was 8 years old. 15 years later, that heart began to fail, and last June, she received a new heart transplant at Saint Marys in Rochester.
After years spent in the hospital, she is doing much better. In October, Sandeen will undergo another round of surgeries to repair a foot drop that occurred when she was on life support, receiving her transplant.
She calls these “good” surgeries though, since they were approved by her cardiologists.
There are also wedding bells in the future for Sandeen, who is now engaged to her best friend, Adam Salmi. After years spent in the hospital, she still maintains a bright outlook on life.
“I have always liked to stay positive. Even if you are in the worst time, there is always the possibility of getting better. When you think about what your life could be like and that it is possible, it keeps you positive. Even if you are having a down day, you know you can only go up from there,” said Sandeen.
Alyssa will undergo surgery to repair her leg on October 11.
She and Salmi are planning a wedding in 2016.