Behind The Pages Of Kyle Garlett's 'Heart Of Iron'
STUDIO CITY (CBS) — On September 26, 1989, as an 18-year old high school senior, Kyle Garlett's life changed forever. It was the first time he heard the words, "You have cancer." But it would only be the first of four such devastating diagnoses - an ongoing battle with cancer that would take him through radiation, chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and then even more chemotherapy when his cancer battle morphed into a secondary leukemia.
And just in case the 54 months spent in treatment that finally ended in 2000 wasn't enough, the very next year, following a pair of surgeries to replace two of his joints, Kyle was placed on the heart transplant waiting list, leading to an eventual transplant in 2006.
But survival wasn't enough for the then 35-year old. Just eleven months after transplant he crossed the finish line of his first triathlon. And on October 10, 2009, three years to the day after receiving his new heart, Kyle became the first heart transplant recipient to ever compete in the famous Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI.
Kyle wrote about his journey in "Heart Of Iron." He stopped by KCAL9 Monday to talk about his latest literary triumph.
He will be at Barnes & Noble at The Grove for a book signing on December 3 at 2 p.m. To learn more about "Heart Of Iron," click here.
For more information on Kyle's journey, click here.
