Heart Failure Fund

This fund is publicised on my partners account so that Marcus wont see this, this is me giving back to a great friend in need.

(all quotes are from an email Marcus himself, sent to a limited amount of close friends and family.)

My dear friend, brother, Marcus.

He is an incredible optimistic man with a generous soul, he is a father of four mischievous children and two dogs. In the past few years he was a school teacher as well as an army chaplain with of course deep beliefs, he is also enjoys performing in gigs with fellow friends playing the violin and piano. He was always there for me in time of need and prayed together to help restore what was imbalanced. Coupled by his bright soul and his large sense of humor, I knew him as an incredible man.

At the age of 41, unfortunately what developed in the fast few months was truly misfortunate…

“I ended up spending time as an involuntary guest of Barwon Health in mid January in their delightful Cardiology Wing. Turns out the inexplicable weight gain (now shedding!), tiredness for no apparent reason, and constant respiratory issues that had been creeping up on me for the past year decided to culminate in pneumonia, which in turn was found to be a manifestation of chronic heart failure – idiopathic Cardiomyopathy to be precise.”

Because of this illness, Marcus has had to undertake many major life style changes due to financial crippling including a change of home address to a smaller cottage near the church, and an inability to undertake a lot of what he used to be able to do. On top of this he also is currently unable to see his kids (for matters he wishes not to publicize), However, his kids believe he is “not really sick”.

“I cannot really work at the moment, and am now financially severely crippled by legal fees, living and medical expenses. It will be months until Centrelink determine my eligibility for a pension (as in, at least six months), and although I do sometimes attend army or teach, or perform, this is becoming harder and harder health wise. Post-surgery these may cease. It has been a humbling lesson having to ask for financial assistance, but that is a pride issue.”

Recently, he has also been informed of a consequence of the surgery

 “I may no longer be able to to play the viola/violin and perhaps even the piano. The technicians are going to do what they can, and are looking at surgery through the sternum region rather than clavicle, but this is a new one for them. I am sort of optimistic it will be ok, but honestly I am a little upset knowing my livelihood may now be no longer possible. Tonight, I am performing as part of a professional string quartet in the Basilica Geelong, and in many ways whilst I know it may be the last time I play, I still have hope and also this fear isn't affecting me.”

This has all effected Marcus mentally and with the extra added stress it showed a decline of his hearts state of health.

“A few weeks ago, I had my third ECHO and other round of testing to see how the disease was going and whether it had been successfully contained by the medication and by the lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, the results have shown no improvement, my EF (Ejection Fraction), which for a healthy adult should be 55-60 -  in me is now hovering 11-13, blood pressure is dangerously low and there is swelling in the left ventricle. In short, my heart is failing.”

 And he needs a walking stick at age 41.

“Because there has been no improvement and in fact the signs of a decline,  I am on the urgent list for surgery to occur in the next week or so (even as an emergency it takes time to coordinate apparently) during which I am to be fitted initially with an ICD – an internal defibrillator … next stage a heart transplant”

Marcus is a selfless man who lived a happy life and thrived off helping others and making their lives better. 

“I am only writing to the relatively few of you, hence asking for your confidence and your prayer, So, I am asking for your understanding, also not to worry, and for your patience. It is incredibly lonely, and living with short breath, heart pain, stress etc isn't easy… I would ask please your support – prayer is the most important”

He admits he is too stubborn to ask for any other kind of financial assistance and somehow stays optimistic through it all. His words and strength have been so empowering and I have decided seek support for the community to help support Marcus. If you could please spare anything, even if it is just your time to say a prayer for him tonight; to wish his health is restored, to wish he is then reunited with his kids, to wish legal issues are resolved and fees drop. A prayer is all he asks but at this point money is something he needs. We wish to help our beloved friend as much as we can but we have given all we can, so we are reaching out to all the other beloved people out to please help Marcus.

And in advanced, we thank you dearly!

- Alex