Nick Frews Heart Fund
Donation protected
Wanted: New Aortic Heart Valve
Who needs it: Nicholas Frew
When: ASAP! Actually sometime in October...
Where: Boston Medical Center
Why: The one he received in 2005 has just worn out
WHAT!?!: Yup. Nicks having Open Heart Sugery and really needs YOUR HELP!
Nicks story.....
During the winter of 2005, at 20 yrs old, Nick wasn't feeling well. On the night the Patriots played that awesome snowstorm game at Gillette Nick came to us and said "I need to go to the hospital". He was the color of oatmeal. After weeks of tests and unexplained symptoms Nick was diagnosed with a Bacterial Endocarditis infection attached to his Aortic Valve. He was immediatley hospitalized and endured a 24 hour, 4 week treatment of powerful intravenous antibiotics to knock down the infection. It didn't work. He was transferred to Mass Genneral Hospital where the antibiotics continued and where he received top World Class care. After 4 weeks of treatments, tests, weight loss and the power of Prayer Nick was ready to go home! When we went to pick him up he told us the infection presented itself overnight and he was having open heart surgery on Friday.
April 8, 2005
Surgery day. We sat with Nick all morning as caregivers came and went. Nick was ready, determined, tired of the hospital and wanting this all overwith. We were scared to death but also confident these amazing professionals would take care of him. For the first time in my life I "Let go and let God". A prayer chain was already well established for Nick and that along with his surgeon was where I placed my faith. And it worked. He came through a long, difficult surgery with a new Bovine Tissue Valve and a new chance at life. But there were complications. The usual 36 hours in ICU turned into 6 days of not knowing why his heart was beating too fast and 2 near death episodes. The last person a mother wants to meet is her sons Heart Failure Specialist. Thanks to the incredible care he received he was able to leave MGH in early May. His recovery took months at home of careful monitoring and a rediculous amount of medications. They said the valve should last 15 years....
Today.....Fall 2015
In early September Nick found himself lacking energy and feeling exhausted. He couldn't do stairs or walk the dogs without being winded. He had to miss a full weekend of shifts resulting in more lost work and wages. After a few doctors visits and blookwork to rule out any infections they decided to look at his Heart. Sure enough there it was a very compromised, unhealthy Aortic Valve whos time was up. Nicks valve is not infected as before it is just worn out and needs to be replaced ASAP.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
In 10 years a lot has changed in Nicks life. He has a wonderful partner, Brett ,with whom he shares a home along with their 2 dogs, Gus and Bilo. As with most couples household expences are shared and divided. Nick and Brett very much want to remain where they live and Nick would like to spend his recovery time at home with Brett. Nick will not be working and does not have a short term disability insurance through any of his 3 jobs. So No Income. Also, there will undoubtedly be co-pays and bills generated that insurance does not cover. We already know the dental appts required prior to surgery will not be covered under his insurance. As much as his employers have kept his working that will end very soon creating the need for your generosity.
So I'm asking from deep inside my healthy heart, can you help Nick repair his big, beautiful, not so perfect heart? How wonderful you will feel knowing you are part of his story that will undoubtedly be told for many years to come. Any amount will help to relieve his stresses and make his recovery easier at home.
Thank you from his entire family including Gus and Bilo oxo
Who needs it: Nicholas Frew
When: ASAP! Actually sometime in October...
Where: Boston Medical Center
Why: The one he received in 2005 has just worn out
WHAT!?!: Yup. Nicks having Open Heart Sugery and really needs YOUR HELP!
Nicks story.....
During the winter of 2005, at 20 yrs old, Nick wasn't feeling well. On the night the Patriots played that awesome snowstorm game at Gillette Nick came to us and said "I need to go to the hospital". He was the color of oatmeal. After weeks of tests and unexplained symptoms Nick was diagnosed with a Bacterial Endocarditis infection attached to his Aortic Valve. He was immediatley hospitalized and endured a 24 hour, 4 week treatment of powerful intravenous antibiotics to knock down the infection. It didn't work. He was transferred to Mass Genneral Hospital where the antibiotics continued and where he received top World Class care. After 4 weeks of treatments, tests, weight loss and the power of Prayer Nick was ready to go home! When we went to pick him up he told us the infection presented itself overnight and he was having open heart surgery on Friday.
April 8, 2005
Surgery day. We sat with Nick all morning as caregivers came and went. Nick was ready, determined, tired of the hospital and wanting this all overwith. We were scared to death but also confident these amazing professionals would take care of him. For the first time in my life I "Let go and let God". A prayer chain was already well established for Nick and that along with his surgeon was where I placed my faith. And it worked. He came through a long, difficult surgery with a new Bovine Tissue Valve and a new chance at life. But there were complications. The usual 36 hours in ICU turned into 6 days of not knowing why his heart was beating too fast and 2 near death episodes. The last person a mother wants to meet is her sons Heart Failure Specialist. Thanks to the incredible care he received he was able to leave MGH in early May. His recovery took months at home of careful monitoring and a rediculous amount of medications. They said the valve should last 15 years....
Today.....Fall 2015
In early September Nick found himself lacking energy and feeling exhausted. He couldn't do stairs or walk the dogs without being winded. He had to miss a full weekend of shifts resulting in more lost work and wages. After a few doctors visits and blookwork to rule out any infections they decided to look at his Heart. Sure enough there it was a very compromised, unhealthy Aortic Valve whos time was up. Nicks valve is not infected as before it is just worn out and needs to be replaced ASAP.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
In 10 years a lot has changed in Nicks life. He has a wonderful partner, Brett ,with whom he shares a home along with their 2 dogs, Gus and Bilo. As with most couples household expences are shared and divided. Nick and Brett very much want to remain where they live and Nick would like to spend his recovery time at home with Brett. Nick will not be working and does not have a short term disability insurance through any of his 3 jobs. So No Income. Also, there will undoubtedly be co-pays and bills generated that insurance does not cover. We already know the dental appts required prior to surgery will not be covered under his insurance. As much as his employers have kept his working that will end very soon creating the need for your generosity.
So I'm asking from deep inside my healthy heart, can you help Nick repair his big, beautiful, not so perfect heart? How wonderful you will feel knowing you are part of his story that will undoubtedly be told for many years to come. Any amount will help to relieve his stresses and make his recovery easier at home.
Thank you from his entire family including Gus and Bilo oxo
Organizer and beneficiary
Paula Murray Frew
Organizer
Methuen, MA
Nicholas Frew
Beneficiary
