Have Heart for Todd!
Donation protected
A normal heart beats an average of 60-100 times a minute. A critical function of a regular heart beat is to bring oxygen rich blood to all parts of the body with each heartbeat.
Imagine having your heart beat so irregularly that you are fatigued, lethargic and can't think clearly. That is what Todd was experiencing.....
This is a story about Todd. For many people reading this GoFundMe Campaign they will already be familiar with Todd, his mom Lori, and his dad, Kelly.
Todd has struggled with Type I Diabetes for many years, and recently was diagnosed with Addison's Disease. He began treatment for Addison's, but eventually felt the effects of his heart not operating as it should.
Todd went to the doctor for tests on Tuesday, March 8. By Friday morning, Todd's doctor made a life-saving phone call to him saying that Todd needed to go to Sanford Hospital in Bismarck with the idea he will most likely need to have a pacemaker installed! With that news, as Todd and his fiance, Chelsea, were driving to Bismarck, Todd called his dad. Kelly called Lori, and the dominoes were falling into place.
By Friday afternoon, it was determined that Todd would surely need to have a pacemaker as his heart was only beating anywhere from 34-39 beats per minute, or as high as 43 beats per minute, which was still significantly low! There were moments where there was a 5 second gap between beats! Todd's heart was shutting down!
The S/A node (the heart's natural pacemaker), wasn't working. His heart was firing off via his Bundle, (the heart's natural backup pacemaker). Emergency surgery was scheduled for Saturday morning, March 12. An artificial pacemaker was put in and now his heart is beating an average of 65-70 beats per minute. His blood pressure has improved as well.
Todd's current situation:
Todd is being released from the hospital today, Sunday, 24 hours post-surgery. He has doctor's orders to remain at home for 3 weeks is not allowed to do anything.
Todd works part-time at Home Depot so he has no health insurance or sick leave. Medicaid may cover much of the surgery, however there may be many costs, direct and indirect, that will not be covered, such as transportation, lodging, meals, prescriptions, time lost from work, ongoing clinic care, etc.
AN AMAZING BIT OF TRIVIA: Todd's Smartphone has an app on it that will monitor his heart activity. This can be reviewed by his doctor at anytime, and if there are any concerns, his pacemaker can be readjusted within time. That is a necessary ongoing expense as well, to keep track of how Todd's pacemaker is functioning.
Funds that are raised here will be used to assist Todd to pay for medical costs and/or lost wages during his time of recovery. As we all know, financial stress affects our health and for Todd to have peace of mind, knowing some of his bills are paid, will speed his recovery.
gofundme.com/a2tzaktv
Imagine having your heart beat so irregularly that you are fatigued, lethargic and can't think clearly. That is what Todd was experiencing.....
This is a story about Todd. For many people reading this GoFundMe Campaign they will already be familiar with Todd, his mom Lori, and his dad, Kelly.
Todd has struggled with Type I Diabetes for many years, and recently was diagnosed with Addison's Disease. He began treatment for Addison's, but eventually felt the effects of his heart not operating as it should.
Todd went to the doctor for tests on Tuesday, March 8. By Friday morning, Todd's doctor made a life-saving phone call to him saying that Todd needed to go to Sanford Hospital in Bismarck with the idea he will most likely need to have a pacemaker installed! With that news, as Todd and his fiance, Chelsea, were driving to Bismarck, Todd called his dad. Kelly called Lori, and the dominoes were falling into place.
By Friday afternoon, it was determined that Todd would surely need to have a pacemaker as his heart was only beating anywhere from 34-39 beats per minute, or as high as 43 beats per minute, which was still significantly low! There were moments where there was a 5 second gap between beats! Todd's heart was shutting down!
The S/A node (the heart's natural pacemaker), wasn't working. His heart was firing off via his Bundle, (the heart's natural backup pacemaker). Emergency surgery was scheduled for Saturday morning, March 12. An artificial pacemaker was put in and now his heart is beating an average of 65-70 beats per minute. His blood pressure has improved as well.
Todd's current situation:
Todd is being released from the hospital today, Sunday, 24 hours post-surgery. He has doctor's orders to remain at home for 3 weeks is not allowed to do anything.
Todd works part-time at Home Depot so he has no health insurance or sick leave. Medicaid may cover much of the surgery, however there may be many costs, direct and indirect, that will not be covered, such as transportation, lodging, meals, prescriptions, time lost from work, ongoing clinic care, etc.
AN AMAZING BIT OF TRIVIA: Todd's Smartphone has an app on it that will monitor his heart activity. This can be reviewed by his doctor at anytime, and if there are any concerns, his pacemaker can be readjusted within time. That is a necessary ongoing expense as well, to keep track of how Todd's pacemaker is functioning.
Funds that are raised here will be used to assist Todd to pay for medical costs and/or lost wages during his time of recovery. As we all know, financial stress affects our health and for Todd to have peace of mind, knowing some of his bills are paid, will speed his recovery.
gofundme.com/a2tzaktv
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Racine
Organizer
Minot, ND
Chelsea Cheney
Beneficiary
