Four days ago, life was normal.

We were heading out for a family day at the park before Sam’s shift that evening.

But that day, he started feeling some pain and pressure in his chest. It didn’t feel urgent at first, but none of us could have imagined how quickly things would escalate.

Sam went from working full-time and being the heart of our family and community… to suddenly fighting for his life in the ICU.

It’s been a whirlwind, and this experience has reminded us how fragile life is - and how precious every moment with the people we love really is.

He had a heart attack... He was also diagnosed with both congestive and pulmonary heart failure, fluid in his lungs, and some kidney issues.

After showing signs of a stroke, further testing confirmed that Sam has had multiple small strokes in the past - including two recent ones on the front and back of the left side of his brain, most likely here at the hospital or just before we got here.

Doctors also discovered a large hole in his heart ((a PFO)) that never closed when he was a kid, instead, it grew - and that’s something that put him at serious risk for further complications.

So today, Sam underwent surgery to close it… and we’re so relieved to share that everything went smoothly. The surgical team was incredible, and Sam is now in recovery.

Before his surgery, we started to see some small improvements:

His heart function rose from 23% to 27%

He went from being on oxygen 24/7 to only needing it when he’s sleeping

The fluid in his body has been slowly flushing out thanks to medication

…and we expect that the improvements will only grow from here. We thank God for guiding every step, and for the hands that cared for him during such a critical procedure.

His healing journey isn’t over, but this was a huge and necessary step forward - one that gives him a much better chance at long-term stability and a safer future.

This whole experience has reminded us just how quickly life can change - and how important it is to care for our bodies, to speak up when something feels off, and to treasure the people around us. We’re so grateful these issues were caught before they could take Sam’s life - because without intervention, they would have.

Though, with treatment, Sam is expected to go on to live a relatively normal life, just with some lasting restrictions. Some parts of his recovery will continue for at least the next year - like cardiovascular rehab, several daily medications, and ongoing checkups with his care team. Other parts of his treatment - like certain medications and lifestyle changes - will be lifelong.

This isn’t a quick recovery, but a long road we’re committed to walking together, one day at a time. We know it won’t be easy, but we trust that God will continue to carry us through it.

We’ll still be in the hospital for the time being. Sam has begun new medications and will have many follow-up appointments after his release.

While we’re grateful to have medical insurance, it doesn’t cover everything - and the out-of-pocket expenses are already starting to build.

As we begin adjusting to this new normal, I’ll be looking for work once we leave the hospital to help support our family. My parents have stepped in to care for our son during this time, and we’re just taking things one step at a time.

We’re holding onto hope - and we can’t wait to be whole again as a family, outside these hospital walls, walking forward together into whatever’s next.

Your kindness and prayers have carried us through this week. Thank you all for being a part of our village.

Written on 07/16/2025