Kim Sherman's Heart Transplant Fund
Donation protected
IMAGINE getting a telephone call at 4:30 in the morning and answering it half asleep. It is your doctor saying, “KIMBERLY, A HEART HAS BECOME AVAILABLE FOR YOU.” After two years of waiting, Kimberly Sherman finally received the call that would change her life and her family’s life forever. Kimberly, at the young age of 30, was getting a new heart.
The road that led to her heart transplant had its share of challenges and the story began at the time of her birth. Kimberly Sherman was born with a congenital heart defect referred to as a single ventricle. The heart ventricles pump the blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. She was born without a left ventricle and Kimberly’s parents were told she would not survive. She underwent her first open heart surgery the day following her birth. Throughout her childhood she was closely monitored by her cardiologists. She had a total of seven major operations by the time she reached the tender age seven. Kimberly’s health improved over the years and she was only required to see her doctors for annual check-ups and remain compliant with her medications. She had some physical limitations as any person might with heart issues. Yet, she finished high school and graduated from college. She also traveled the world, started her career in banking, and married. Everything a “normal” girl could ever want.
In April of 2013 at the age 28 Kimberly contacted her family doctor with concerns. She had experienced a rapid heartbeat, she noticed that her skin tone appeared to be blue, and she also noted bloating; all of which were not normal. She was immediately rushed to an emergency room to have her heart shocked, and to slow her heart beat and bring it back to normal. From there, she was transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where she was placed in an induced coma for three weeks. When she woke, the doctors told her that she was experiencing heart failure. She would need a heart transplant. Kimberly was hospitalized for a month and then released. Following complications, she was admitted once again and remained hospitalized for three months. Subsequently, doctors conducted a lengthy evaluation and determined that her condition warranted having her name placed near the top of the transplant list. This is the point at which Kimberly and her family began waiting. During this time Kimberly was able to heal, gain back her strength, and adjust to the fact she needed a new heart.
On February 25th, 2015, nearly two years later a matching heart became available. The transplant surgery was completed in four hours. She remained hospitalized for one month and released to her home in March. The recovery is slow. She will need additional medical tests, blood work, in- home nursing care, fifteen medications daily, medical equipment, biopsies and weekly doctor visits for some time. Her medical expenses continue to accumulate. Although her husband was and continues to work, he was also attending college and they both have student loan debt on top of the medical expenses.
Her family and friends are asking for a donation goal of $ 25,000 to help this young couple through their first year with these expenses.
Kimberly has never felt sorry for the life she was dealt, and she actively discouraged sympathy from others. She has never played the victim card, when many of her friends thought it might be appropriate, and God knows others certainly have in circumstances much less daunting. Kimberly always presented with absolute courage, taught others what true strength looks like, kept hopeful, maintained a positive attitude, and shared a genuine concern for others throughout her life including during this phenomenal process. Kimberly is an inspiration to her family, friends, and anyone fortunate enough to know her.
Kimberly overcame many obstacles and was given a second chance to live her life. We would all be appreciative and grateful for any donations to help this deserving couple.
Thank you for taking the time to let us share Kimberly Sherman’s story.
The road that led to her heart transplant had its share of challenges and the story began at the time of her birth. Kimberly Sherman was born with a congenital heart defect referred to as a single ventricle. The heart ventricles pump the blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. She was born without a left ventricle and Kimberly’s parents were told she would not survive. She underwent her first open heart surgery the day following her birth. Throughout her childhood she was closely monitored by her cardiologists. She had a total of seven major operations by the time she reached the tender age seven. Kimberly’s health improved over the years and she was only required to see her doctors for annual check-ups and remain compliant with her medications. She had some physical limitations as any person might with heart issues. Yet, she finished high school and graduated from college. She also traveled the world, started her career in banking, and married. Everything a “normal” girl could ever want.
In April of 2013 at the age 28 Kimberly contacted her family doctor with concerns. She had experienced a rapid heartbeat, she noticed that her skin tone appeared to be blue, and she also noted bloating; all of which were not normal. She was immediately rushed to an emergency room to have her heart shocked, and to slow her heart beat and bring it back to normal. From there, she was transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where she was placed in an induced coma for three weeks. When she woke, the doctors told her that she was experiencing heart failure. She would need a heart transplant. Kimberly was hospitalized for a month and then released. Following complications, she was admitted once again and remained hospitalized for three months. Subsequently, doctors conducted a lengthy evaluation and determined that her condition warranted having her name placed near the top of the transplant list. This is the point at which Kimberly and her family began waiting. During this time Kimberly was able to heal, gain back her strength, and adjust to the fact she needed a new heart.
On February 25th, 2015, nearly two years later a matching heart became available. The transplant surgery was completed in four hours. She remained hospitalized for one month and released to her home in March. The recovery is slow. She will need additional medical tests, blood work, in- home nursing care, fifteen medications daily, medical equipment, biopsies and weekly doctor visits for some time. Her medical expenses continue to accumulate. Although her husband was and continues to work, he was also attending college and they both have student loan debt on top of the medical expenses.
Her family and friends are asking for a donation goal of $ 25,000 to help this young couple through their first year with these expenses.
Kimberly has never felt sorry for the life she was dealt, and she actively discouraged sympathy from others. She has never played the victim card, when many of her friends thought it might be appropriate, and God knows others certainly have in circumstances much less daunting. Kimberly always presented with absolute courage, taught others what true strength looks like, kept hopeful, maintained a positive attitude, and shared a genuine concern for others throughout her life including during this phenomenal process. Kimberly is an inspiration to her family, friends, and anyone fortunate enough to know her.
Kimberly overcame many obstacles and was given a second chance to live her life. We would all be appreciative and grateful for any donations to help this deserving couple.
Thank you for taking the time to let us share Kimberly Sherman’s story.
Organizer and beneficiary
Katie Van Velzer
Organizer
Oak Creek, WI
Kim Sherman
Beneficiary
