Kathy Ashcraft's Medical Expenses!!
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Jody & Kathy asked me to create this page. They recently found out Kathy will be at the hospital in New Orleans until she receives her ICD (implantable cardiac defibrilator; my dad had one so I know what they are facing...)
Jody & Kathy recently shared with me the timeline of events:
It all started on the 24th of March when Kathy went to see her congenital heart defect doctor. She was diagnosed with CHF Exacerbation and her doctor wanted to admit her to the hospital. We persuaded her to let us to return to Natchez so we could take care of Jasmine and be close to home. The very next day, Kathy was admitted to Merit Health Natchez for CHF Exacerbation. She remained at Merit Health for 2 days while receiving 40mg lasix every 4 to 6 hours. When Kathy was discharged from Merit Health Natchez on Easter Sunday, March 27, she had supposedly lost 25 pounds. We went to see our regular Physician on March 31st for an appointment for me and out of curiosity Kathy stepped on the scale only to discover that she had gained 12 pounds in just 4 days. (Something wasn't right...)
We contacted our local cardiologist right away and our personal Physician consulted with the cardiologist and advised us to return to New Orleans where her specialist was. We contacted her specialist and she was Direct Admitted for CHF Exacerbation. We remained in the hospital for 6 days. When Kathy was released, she was sent home with Coumadin and LOVENOX injections to take due to a blood clot that was discovered in the pulmonary vein. During our time at home administering shots, Kathy became swollen and severely bruised around her abdominal area which progressed to her hips and the outer edges of her back. We went to her local physician on April 15 because Kathy was in severe pain and nearly unable to walk. When he saw her abdomen and the bruising he advised us to immediately return to New Orleans. She was seen at Ochsner Medical Center’s Emergency Department and administered a pint of blood, diagnosed with and ultimately admitted to Ochsner for dehydration, low blood count, and decreased kidney function. After being admitted, she was given 3 more pints of blood and all the fluids she could drink.
On April 16, she was having issues using the bathroom and decided to go for a walk to see if that would help. While walking, she became dizzy, stumbled into the wall and passed out. At that time I heard the staff yell she was in Ventricular tachycardia (VT). A nurse rushed over, checked for and found none. When she said ‘no pulse’, my training took over and I began to administer compressions. (the hardest thing I've ever had to do...) After about 6-8 compressions Kathy regained consciousness and her pulse returned. The staff assisted Kathy to a wheelchair and returned her to her room. The next day, she remained at a tachy rate until about 5:30 p.m. when she went into Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) at a rate of 235. She was hooked up to paddles and an additional monitor, at which point Kathy was given Adenosine and converted. Her doctor didn't want to use Electrical Cardioversion due to the blood clot and a possible stroke. Kathy was sent to the ICU for 2 days and monitored with no changes. We were moved back to the Cardiac unit for monitoring.
On April 27th 2016, Kathy was set up for an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). During the procedure, she was found to have high pressure in her pulmonary vein, a bulge in her pulmonary vein and narrowing of the baffle that was built when her heart was fist repaired in 1965. The ICD procedure was delayed and a Cardiac catheterization (heart cath) is scheduled for the near future to place a stent in the baffle. Hopefully, they can implant the ICD at the same time.
I have been here by my Angel’s side the whole time for support. I have used up all of my vacation time for the year to remain with Kathy. We cannot even begin to imagine the medical & regular household bills we face when we are able to go home to Natchez.
Jody & Kathy recently shared with me the timeline of events:
It all started on the 24th of March when Kathy went to see her congenital heart defect doctor. She was diagnosed with CHF Exacerbation and her doctor wanted to admit her to the hospital. We persuaded her to let us to return to Natchez so we could take care of Jasmine and be close to home. The very next day, Kathy was admitted to Merit Health Natchez for CHF Exacerbation. She remained at Merit Health for 2 days while receiving 40mg lasix every 4 to 6 hours. When Kathy was discharged from Merit Health Natchez on Easter Sunday, March 27, she had supposedly lost 25 pounds. We went to see our regular Physician on March 31st for an appointment for me and out of curiosity Kathy stepped on the scale only to discover that she had gained 12 pounds in just 4 days. (Something wasn't right...)
We contacted our local cardiologist right away and our personal Physician consulted with the cardiologist and advised us to return to New Orleans where her specialist was. We contacted her specialist and she was Direct Admitted for CHF Exacerbation. We remained in the hospital for 6 days. When Kathy was released, she was sent home with Coumadin and LOVENOX injections to take due to a blood clot that was discovered in the pulmonary vein. During our time at home administering shots, Kathy became swollen and severely bruised around her abdominal area which progressed to her hips and the outer edges of her back. We went to her local physician on April 15 because Kathy was in severe pain and nearly unable to walk. When he saw her abdomen and the bruising he advised us to immediately return to New Orleans. She was seen at Ochsner Medical Center’s Emergency Department and administered a pint of blood, diagnosed with and ultimately admitted to Ochsner for dehydration, low blood count, and decreased kidney function. After being admitted, she was given 3 more pints of blood and all the fluids she could drink.
On April 16, she was having issues using the bathroom and decided to go for a walk to see if that would help. While walking, she became dizzy, stumbled into the wall and passed out. At that time I heard the staff yell she was in Ventricular tachycardia (VT). A nurse rushed over, checked for and found none. When she said ‘no pulse’, my training took over and I began to administer compressions. (the hardest thing I've ever had to do...) After about 6-8 compressions Kathy regained consciousness and her pulse returned. The staff assisted Kathy to a wheelchair and returned her to her room. The next day, she remained at a tachy rate until about 5:30 p.m. when she went into Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) at a rate of 235. She was hooked up to paddles and an additional monitor, at which point Kathy was given Adenosine and converted. Her doctor didn't want to use Electrical Cardioversion due to the blood clot and a possible stroke. Kathy was sent to the ICU for 2 days and monitored with no changes. We were moved back to the Cardiac unit for monitoring.
On April 27th 2016, Kathy was set up for an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). During the procedure, she was found to have high pressure in her pulmonary vein, a bulge in her pulmonary vein and narrowing of the baffle that was built when her heart was fist repaired in 1965. The ICD procedure was delayed and a Cardiac catheterization (heart cath) is scheduled for the near future to place a stent in the baffle. Hopefully, they can implant the ICD at the same time.
I have been here by my Angel’s side the whole time for support. I have used up all of my vacation time for the year to remain with Kathy. We cannot even begin to imagine the medical & regular household bills we face when we are able to go home to Natchez.
Organizer and beneficiary
Christie Pangburn
Organizer
New Roads, LA
Jody Ashcraft
Beneficiary
