WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A young Central Texas mom battling congestive heart failure is spending her sixth week in the cardiothoracic ICU waiting on a new heart, and while she’s still finding a way to smile, the challenges are growing, including her dire health, the distance from her children and mounting medical bills.

Katie Russell, 32, of Waco, has no idea how long she’ll be waiting at Baylor Scott and White in Temple but knows she can’t leave the hospital without the transplant.

“The first thing to happen next is to get that heart,” Katie said. “I am waiting for the perfect heart, a B positive heart.”

Katie is a ray of sunshine, despite the unknown challenges every day is bringing.

Until a few months ago, Katie had no idea anything was wrong.

“On June 4, I was not feeling well but

See Full Page