Barb needs a heart...money is tight
Donation protected
Hello friends...this is Mike DeBellis...my wife Kathy and I have a dear friend who has been waiting in the hospital for over a year for a heart transplant. Besides the stress & concerns with that, her husband lost his job in September 2014. They now have a serious financial need. Please read Barb's story below...
Hi… My name is Barb Mosher and I need a heart transplant to save my life. I've had heart issues since early childhood. My first open heart surgery was at age 11, the second at age 16 and the third at age 35. My last surgery in 2006 was to replace my mitral valve and repair my aortic valve. A few months into my recovery I started showing classic signs of heart failure. My cardiologist at the time did not properly diagnose me so I went six weeks getting sicker and sicker. Finally after a failed trip to the emergency room the cardiologist realized that I was in full heart failure. My Ejection Fraction (The percentage of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle as a result of a heartbeat – a normal healthy heart functions at 55-60%) Mine was only 10%! I was immediately hospitalized and put on medications to try to strengthen my heart muscle and get fluid off of me so I could breathe easier. Over the seven years I was able to live rather comfortably with the meds and the diuretics but they told me all along it's just a matter of time when meds will no longer work, my only option will be a transplant.
So the time finally came. On January 29, 2014 I walked into Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY and I've been here ever since. I've already celebrated two birthdays here, plus Valentine's Day, St.
Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, family birthdays, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, my wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s all in the hospital.
I have a Swan-Gantz catheter in me at all times which means I cannot leave the 7th floor without a nurse. I've learned to make the best of my situation. My private room is decked out with pillows and blankets from home. My husband and mother keep me stocked with food from home so I don't have to eat hospital food. I've made so many friends and confidants over the last year that I will hold dearly forever. I've also seen friends suffer and eventually pass away which has really taken a toll on me. In life there's always good and bad. I've been through a lot of both and I know there's also more of both in my future.
During my hospital stay I've continued to work my job full time. I'm hoping to raise some money to help with my care after transplant. I will be on medical leave from work for an undetermined amount of time plus my husband lost his job in September so it's been tight. I'm hoping to alleviate the stress from worrying about paying bills just for a little while, until I'm back on my feet!
Thank you for reading my story and thank you for your donation.
Please consider becoming an organ donor…you can save a life…
Hi… My name is Barb Mosher and I need a heart transplant to save my life. I've had heart issues since early childhood. My first open heart surgery was at age 11, the second at age 16 and the third at age 35. My last surgery in 2006 was to replace my mitral valve and repair my aortic valve. A few months into my recovery I started showing classic signs of heart failure. My cardiologist at the time did not properly diagnose me so I went six weeks getting sicker and sicker. Finally after a failed trip to the emergency room the cardiologist realized that I was in full heart failure. My Ejection Fraction (The percentage of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle as a result of a heartbeat – a normal healthy heart functions at 55-60%) Mine was only 10%! I was immediately hospitalized and put on medications to try to strengthen my heart muscle and get fluid off of me so I could breathe easier. Over the seven years I was able to live rather comfortably with the meds and the diuretics but they told me all along it's just a matter of time when meds will no longer work, my only option will be a transplant.
So the time finally came. On January 29, 2014 I walked into Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY and I've been here ever since. I've already celebrated two birthdays here, plus Valentine's Day, St.
Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, family birthdays, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, my wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s all in the hospital.
I have a Swan-Gantz catheter in me at all times which means I cannot leave the 7th floor without a nurse. I've learned to make the best of my situation. My private room is decked out with pillows and blankets from home. My husband and mother keep me stocked with food from home so I don't have to eat hospital food. I've made so many friends and confidants over the last year that I will hold dearly forever. I've also seen friends suffer and eventually pass away which has really taken a toll on me. In life there's always good and bad. I've been through a lot of both and I know there's also more of both in my future.
During my hospital stay I've continued to work my job full time. I'm hoping to raise some money to help with my care after transplant. I will be on medical leave from work for an undetermined amount of time plus my husband lost his job in September so it's been tight. I'm hoping to alleviate the stress from worrying about paying bills just for a little while, until I'm back on my feet!
Thank you for reading my story and thank you for your donation.
Please consider becoming an organ donor…you can save a life…
Organizer
Mike DeBellis
Organizer
East Amherst, NY
