OKC Family Praying For Heart Transplant Match In The New Year

A metro family is praying for a miracle in the new year. Mary Anderson has been in the ICU since before Thanksgiving waiting for a heart transplant.

Doctors say Anderson is a top priority for a heart transplant, but she has a rare blood type, and finding a match has been a challenge.

11/18/2012 Related Story: OKC Family Wrought With Tragedy Seek Heart Transplant For Mom

Now, her family keeping their faith that the new year will bring them the news they've been waiting to hear.

It's been nearly two months since doctors told Mary Anderson her heart was only working at about 10 percent of what it should be.

"The doctors told me that between the machines and I, I'm a miracle every day of life," Anderson said.

The 50-year-old mother has congestive heart failure. She's been on the waiting list for a heart transplant for weeks. Her hospital room at Integris Baptist Medical Center is filled with family, and scriptures hang from the machines keeping her alive. She's no stranger to tragedy.

Her son, Austin, was in a plane crash earlier this year. He died in the hospital after trying to save his friend.

5/12/2012 Related Story: Former Marine Dies After Saving Friend From Burning Plane In Kansas Crash

"The holidays have been tough because you're used to being able to call him up," Anderson says. "The strength that he had to do what he did really empowered me after the funeral when I found out I was really sick, to fight."

She's been fighting for her life with her other two kids by her side, anxiously awaiting the day a matching heart will be found.

"I would be excited, ecstatic. I probably wouldn't even really know what to say because I waited, and it's been such a challenge," Anderson said.

Doctors tried to do transplant surgery a few weeks ago, but decided against it because of Mary's rare blood type.

Her family's next challenge will be the cost. That surgery will be nearly $1 million.

A fund has been set up to help cover those costs. Donations can be made to the Mary Anderson fund at Tinker Federal Credit Union.