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Seventeen years later, the heart she received as an infant is failing, and the incoming senior at Croswell-Lexington High School is on the waiting list for her second transplant.

Until recently, Fahrner was a healthy, fit teenager, who competed on the high school tennis team, and played clarinet in the concert and marching bands.

"I've been really healthy, but about 6 month ago I started getting sick," said Fahrner.

"Usually when I get sick...get a cold, I get over it. That's how I was." But not this time. "I had the flu, I had pneumonia. I was getting sicker."

She was admitted to the University of Michigan Hospital in June, where she learned the reason for her unexplained illnesses: her heart was failing.

"I was at U of M for a month and was diagnosed with coronary heart disease." She said the doctors told her, "usually, when you have a transplant, it only lasts for 10 years. My heart lasted for 17 years. It's given up. I went seven years over what a heart transplant usually has."

She was discharged from the hospital on July 13, and sent home with a portable IV unit.

"I'll be (placed) on the waiting list for a new heart. Without a transplant, I'll only have two years to live."

It was Fahrner's decision to be placed on the list - and it wasn't an easy one.

"It was a little difficult making the decision...It was kind of overwhelming. I didn't know what do to. Should I get the transplant, or is my time up? ... I always thought if I ever had to get another transplant I wouldn't, because I already had one."

However, "I chose to keep living my life. Because I'm 17. I don't think I'm done living my life. I want more than two years to live. There are a lot of things I want to do with my life."

Fahrner, who now tires easily and has lost weight because of the heart problems, hopes to be healthy enough to attend classes when school reopens on Sept. 2.

Her goals, after high school, are to attend college and pursue some type of career in the medical field, working with children.

She's optimistic about the future.

"Usually it works out. I think it will."

Two fundraisers are planned to help the Fahrner family cope with expenses related to Danielle's medical problems. On Monday, July 25, the A & W in Lexington will donate a portion of their proceeds from customer purchases between 5 and 9 p.m. And on Saturday, Aug. 23, there will be a scotch doubles bowling tournament at Lakeview Hills in Lexington. 7 p.m. shift - $20 per couple, $10 single. To register call Penny at 810-966-3462 or Tammy 810-201-0522.