Jack Chappell to Celebrate “Home Run For Life” with OKC Dodgers
Edmond resident received heart transplant at INTEGRIS Health
Jack Chappell is the definition of work ethic.
The 58-year-old takes pride in his work, selling roofing supplies at ABC Supply Co., in Oklahoma City, working just as hard as ever despite all the obstacles he’s had to overcome in the past decade, culminating with a heart transplant at INTEGRIS Health in July 2021.
Chappell will be honored during the first INTEGRIS “Home Run For Life” of the 2022 OKC Dodgers baseball season April 30 at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. “Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.
Chappell, who lives in Edmond, was diagnosed with heart failure in 2013 and was referred to cardiologists at INTEGRIS Health. In 2015, his father, Jack Chappell IV, passed away at the age of 82 due to heart failure.
Before he knew it, Chappell was hospitalized on the same floor as his father had been just weeks before as his own heart health deteriorated.
There, under the care of Dr. Douglas Horstmanshof, he underwent placement of a HeartMate 2 Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD).
Chappell was discharged from the hospital just two weeks after the procedure and returned to his active lifestyle.
The LVAD saved his life, but it also restricted some of his activities. Chappell could not swim in his home pool or go to the beach.
After his LVAD was replaced in 2019, it was recommended that Chappell should pursue a heart transplant and was subsequently placed on the transplant list in 2020.
Chappell was later hospitalized in March 2021 after complications from a bout with asymptomatic COVID-19 in late 2020 left him with internal bleeding.
He said the doctors put it plainly: “The only way to fix it is to put a new heart in you.”
Chappell spent four months in the hospital waiting for his new heart, but he didn’t let that stop him from being productive.
He had a desk set up in his hospital room allowing him to work remotely. Chappell didn’t miss a single paycheck.
“Why not?” Chappell replied when asked about his desire to work from his room. “I’m not going to sit around here and dwell on being sick.”
He sold upwards of $6 million worth of shingles during his four-month stay.
Chappell became a regular at INTEGRIS Health, getting acquainted with many of the staff.
“I got to know all the nurses personally,” he said. “We’ve become really good friends.”
Chappell raves about the quality of care and company he received at INTEGRIS Health.
“They’d been through the journey with me this whole time,” he said. “They’re great caregivers.”
Chappell wasn’t the only one struck by the compassion and care at INTEGRIS Health. His daughter, Jacklyn, decided she too wanted to be a part of the community and joined the marketing and communications department after three years at KFOR.
In July 2021, everyone received the good news. Chappell was getting his new heart.
Both Chappell and the nurses shed tears of joy and relief.
“I’m one of the fortunate ones,” he said.
He was discharged from the hospital July 20 and immediately began enjoying his new freedoms, taking a dip in his pool.
“As soon as I got home from the hospital, I got right in,” he said.
“I hadn’t been in there in five years,” he laughed.
Chappell and his family have a beach vacation planned for July, marking a memorable anniversary of his life-changing operation.
Chappell still comes to INTEGRIS Health for his checkups and bloodwork, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s really nice that they treat me as family,” he said. “Why go anywhere else?”
