Montana women's golf coach has heart transplant
MISSOULA, Mont. -- University of Montana women's golf coach Joanne Steele, 2006 coach of the year in the Big Sky Conference, was in serious condition Monday after undergoing heart-transplant surgery at a Seattle hospital.
The 35-year-old Steele, whose team won the Big Sky championship last spring, got a new heart Sunday after receiving a call early that day, informing her the organ was available. She flew from Missoula to Seattle for surgery at the University of Washington Medical Center.
Steele's own heart was impaired by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic disorder that thickens the heart and impedes the pumping of blood. There is no cure.
"The operation went as well as possible, but the next 48 hours of recovery time are critical," Steele's husband, Cory, said Sunday. "We're very happy that things went as well as could be expected."
In addition to her husband, the coach was joined in Seattle by daughters Alexis and Sydnie.
Recovering from the transplant surgery is likely to take several months.
Steele's coaching duties will be handled temporarily by John Powers of Missoula.
Steele, who is in her 11th season as the UM golf coach, directed the championship team between medical appointments in Seattle. Peers selected her for the coach-of-the-year honor.
A pacemaker and defibrillator were placed in her body and she took an elaborate concoction of pills daily. Steele has been willing to answer questions about her condition, but said she tried not to dwell on it. She preferred to spend time on the golf course, with her team, she said.
"It's good for me to get out and do that and not feel I'm limited in what I can do," she said in an interview last spring.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press
