The Climb of My Life: Scaling Mountains With a Borrowed Heart

by Kelly Perkins

Kelly Perkins was only 30 years old when she learned she needed a heart transplant. For many people, that would mean the end of their old lifestyles, but Kelly accepted the challenge and became the first heart transplant patient to reach the summit of some of the world's tallest and most recognizable peaks. This inspirational tale of hope and accomplishment is something everyone can find personal meaning in. The Climb of My Life tells the story of Kelly's transplant, recovery, and ascents up such mountains as Mt. Kilimanjaro-all on a borrowed heart.

244 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2007

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! Kelly and Craig Perkins are awe-inspiring! Highly recommended!

[Genna · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It was then that I came to the realization we all have injuries and scars of some kind. I wanted to look at my own differently. I now saw my chest scar not as a weakness or sign of trauma, but as a place where there had been an opening for change."

I specifically sought out this book having undergone open heart surgery in September of 2023 to address a congenital heart defect that was just recently discovered. As an avid hiker and backpacker and generally outdoorsy person, I was intrigued by Perkins' path of recovery and her commitment to resuming her active lifestyle following significant and traumatic surgery. While our heart conditions are completely unrelated (mine being something I was born with, hers being irreparable damage to her heart due to a virus) and the severity really not comparable (mine having been "corrected" and needing only minor lifelong management, hers requiring a transplant and significant and lifelong intervention), I believe that all of us belonging to the "zipper club" carry a similar weight.

Perkins' story of coming to terms with and overcoming what I would say to be some of the most insurmountable health-related obstacles that one could face in life is empowering and full of strength of purpose. While there is no questioning this, I still take issue with some of her opinions and a few comments made in The Climb of My Life. Perkins' primary mission as a transplant recipient, and in writing this book, has been to educate about the importance of organ donation and encourage more people globally to commit to the lifesaving decision. In this I believe she is successful and I personally found her commitment to advocating for this cause inspiring and powerful. My personal reactions to the portions of this book that I found off-putting are just that, personal, and are mostly related to my own experiences as someone with congenital heart disease who required life-altering surgery.

An error in writing that should have been an easy fix in the editing process that I simply cannot get past is the mention of something being "especially true in a Third World country like Africa", among other inappropriate comments about the "wilds of Africa" or lack of cleanliness that I found offensive. While this book is older, I really do not think that's an adequate justification for this kind of language. Additionally, Perkins' fixation on the changes to her physical appearance that would come with forever living with the scar from a sternotomy, which she describes as a "violent-looking reminder of the surgery" was bothersome. This alongside her preoccupation with the appearance of her body, as opposed to her actual health, through much of this story read to me as a glorification, or at least acceptance, of disordered eating and body dysmorphia. While Perkins' experience is, of course, unique and is valid in its uniqueness, much of her language should be considered with a critical eye while reading. The Climb of My Life shares a distinct experience and life story that is worth engaging with, albeit with forewarning.

[Jim Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some heart transplant patients may describe their medical challenge as a “mountain to climb” type event in their life, but in Kelly Perkins’ case this is not an analogy but her true life story. Facing death or the alternative of a heart transplant, she chooses life along with all its uncertainties, painful procedures, expensive side-effect filled lifetime of medications and life challenges. As all of us who experience a close encounter with death and live to see the light of another day through the miracles of organ donation and transplantation, Kelly is faced with the question of what to do with this gift of new life after she received her heart transplant in November of 1995 at the young age of 34. Her answer is more daunting than any I have ever heard before as she takes up a goal of raising organ donor awareness worldwide in resuming her passion for mountain climbing with this “borrowed heart,” eventually climbing many of the world’s most famous peaks to demonstrate the success of heart transplantation.

Kelly takes us with her (along with her loving caregiver husband, Craig, and an assortment of other mountain climbing friends) as she braves life and limb on the coldest and most treacherous climbs, sharing through photos and descriptive language views from all the major mountains, but especially Mt. Fuji, where releasing the ashes of her donor from that peak makes this climb even more special and we share in her tears at the emotional and majestic scene. While most of us may never climb in the same way as Kelly, at the same time she offers inspiration to everyone who faces their own valleys and peaks in waiting for and then later, post transplant. This is not a book for the weak of heart, but for anyone who wants to believe in the human spirit being able to overcome obstacles, this is breathtaking reading. For the medical community, this will serve to show you what life can really be like in the positive extreme after a life saving transplant. For caregivers, Craig’s love and support will bring tears to your own eyes. For everyone, Kelly achieves her goal of showing us why it is the greatest gift to be an organ donor, taking her own donor heart to heights it never got to in life itself, but now enjoys as she uses it to touch the heavens in her climbing triumphs.

Hers is a love story of three hearts, her own failing one, that of a donor she eventually gets to know about, and a third of her loving and ever supportive husband, Craig. Kelly, thank you for touching our hearts with your love story of amazing accomplishments, inspiring each of us to reach new personal heights, driven by the passion of dreams to overcome our own life’s challenging peaks.

see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly Perkins' story is inspiring and would be helpful for anyone who has experienced an illness that changes everything. Perkins is a study in perseverance and initiative. Instead of giving up when told a virus is attacking her heart, Perkins looks for something she can do to fight the disease, focusing on diet & exercise. When told the only option left is a heart transplant, she doubles her efforts to keep her body healthy enough to use the donor heart she receives. But she doesn't stop there, as most people would. She wants to return to climbing mountains, and she wants to use that as a platform to promote organ donation. This could have become a "Why me?" story of a young, healthy woman struck down by a stroke of fate, but Perkins refuses to give up her passion for mountains and uses her challenges to do good. Just the kind of story I like to read!

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another COVID-19 happened to be on my bookshelves unread book.

This would probably be more interesting and engaging to someone who has had or is going through health challenges.

I did find one thing Kelly wrote very interesting given the current climate:
"At the time, during the early stages of post transplantation, the protocol was to wear a disposable paper mask in public areas, establishing a protective barrier between me and spores, dust, bacteria, colds and flu. The philosophy has since changed, the level of protection the masks provide now debatable. Still, because it was recommended, I complied."

With the current directives from state and CDC officials to wear masks in public to reduce the spread of COVID-19 this once again challenged in my mind the efficacy of doing so. However, I, like Kelly, comply because it is recommended.

[Paige Money · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite quote from this book: “During an arduous and exhausting activity, when suffering is at its peak, it’s quite common to question your sanity about having voluntarily subjected yourself to such torture. But a new type of madness sets in during the final steps of a successful climb. Even before the rope is untied and your boots are off, dreams of new challenges overpower your body's aches.”

[Kelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read about an adventurous woman who must undergo a heart transplant. She continues mountain climbing after her transplant.

I enjoyed finding out about her transplant experience as I have a friend whose daughter is currently awaiting a transplant. I can't imagine climbing the mountains that she did after her experience.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story that has to be shared. Challenge, romance, triumph, adventure... It has it all. This is a great read that spans all interests, not just those who have or are dealing with an illness. I Highly recommend it.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting read. I enjoyed the learning about the heart and how it operates, either normally or transplanted. I also enjoyed the strength and determination the author had. She's an incredible woman.

[Bobbie Mission Viejo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the triumph over tragedy theme of this book. I met the author recently and was very inspired by her. Her book is educational, uplifting and REAL.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

inspiring!

[Denise Bork · Rating 5 out of 5]

The courage both Kelly and Craig showed during a very difficult time in their lives is truly amazing. Everyone should read this.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. I love reading accounts of mountain climbs.

[Jordan Sherbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming and motivational!

[Jesse Rhines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Kelly integrates transplant info with her mountain climbing adventures to make good reading.