A South Whidbey family has but one wish this Christmas — a new heart.

Clinton resident Tristan Johnson, a father of three and 2001 graduate of South Whidbey High School, is currently on the United Network for Organ Sharing heart transplant waiting list. He’s been hospitalized since late November and is currently at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.

On Tuesday, Johnson underwent open-heart surgery to implant a left ventricular assist device which will keep his heart pumping until a matching heart is available. The surgery was a success, his family said. Johnson will be classified as Status 1A in the 30 days following the implant, meaning he is a top priority should a heart become available. He is also considered a high priority because of his young age, 32, which allows for not only a higher chance of the heart being a healthy match, but also for him to use the heart for more years than others awaiting transplants.

Johnson was first diagnosed with congestive heart failure three years ago at the age of 29. Doctors were surprised to learned that a man of his age could develop the advanced heart disease. They eventually determined that his heart had been attacked by a rare and unidentified virus. He was treated, stabilized and released from the hospital after several weeks. His health later rebounded and eventually his heart was strong enough to resume an active and healthy lifestyle of spending time outdoors, working on cars and taking walks in the woods.

But, during the months leading up to Johnson’s marriage to Chloe Johnson, his wife noticed his symptoms become worse. A week after they were married, Tristan was back in the hospital. He was treated regularly over the next six months until his medications were unable to thwart his symptoms. Just before Thanksgiving, he was in the emergency room suffering from advanced heart failure. 

“It was definitely a shock,” Chloe Johnson said. “It’s not what we had planned or pictured, but I feel really confident and comfortable with where we’re heading now.”

The peculiarities of Tristan Johnson’s case are so baffling that doctors at the hospital have been in and out of his room asking numerous questions about his case. One doctor asked Johnson if he would be willing to donate a piece of his heart, which would be removed during his most recent surgery, for study; it might help researchers learn more about heart disease. Johnson agreed. He’ll eventually donate his entire heart to heart disease research.

Johnson’s sister, Christine Mulcahy, was researching patient advocates when she came across the Pacific Northwest Chapter of Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO), a non-profit group that works to improve quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients, their families and the families of organ tissue donors, according to the organization’s website. TRIO will help cover additional medical costs that are not covered by Johnson’s disability medical insurance.

“They are a tremendous organization in that they support the patient with any questions,” Mulcahy said. “They have all these resources from financial counselors to help you with your insurance and translating what the doctors are telling you if you don’t understand it, as well as fundraising.”

TRIO is just one of the many support networks that Johnson has on his side. His family and friends have shown support by visiting him in the hospital and also checking in on him via his Facebook support page, A Heart for Tristan.

His supporters are also holding a benefit on Sunday at China City, where attendees will watch the Seattle Seahawks game while participating in raffles.

Despite the adversity, Johnson’s wife is proud of how her husband has handled the ordeal. His children stay in close contact, visiting at least once a week and calling.

“I think the fact that his surgery, and his wait time, and his recovery, is progressing a lot quicker than they anticipated, it’s just a really good sign about how he is and where he is,” she said.

Those interested in following and supporting Johnson can visit his Facebook support page. Financial contributions can be made using the “Donate Now” link on the page.

“We’re really grateful for all the support and we appreciate everything,” Chloe Johnson said. “We’ll keep everyone updated and the support is great and we feel so lucky and blessed.”