Ryan's Big Heart Has a Big Hole

As I write this, I am sitting in the waiting room at the hospital while Ryan has yet another procedure/test for his heart. I am Ryan's mom. Ryan has ASD, or atrial septal defect, a congenital heart defect. Ryan is 20 years old, and as he says, "I used my heart so much it has a hole in it!" Of course we now know this hole has been there since birth, but it was only discovered a couple of weeks ago. Ryan left to serve a mission for our church the beginning of this year, 2017. He was so excited to go he said before he left that he already didn't want to come home! Shortly into his mission he began having medical issues, symptoms that we didn't know at the time may have been related to his heart condition. He returned home and started having what I call "episodes." Ryan has always been active, playing football, basketball, tennis, and running track. But recently when he would exert he would get light headed, nauseated, his hands would go numb, he would lose his eyesight and either pass out or nearly pass out. Breathing was difficult. At first it took an hour or two to recover, but the episodes became more frequent, would last longer, and took a day or two to fully recover. He was extremely weak following an episode. After several visits to the doctor, Ryan was referred to a cardiologist. Many tests were ordered, but before they were completed Ryan ended up in the ER during a severe episode that came on while working, and continued throughout the day. When we left for the ER he was so weak he almost needed to be carried and couldn't lift his arms or legs. After several tests showed nothing abnormal, an echocardiogram with bubble was scheduled. This is where the large hole was discovered. We finally had answers. Ryan was able to see a prominent cardiac surgeon almost immediately who told him the hole needs to be closed. Question still remains... can it be closed through a catheter or is it large enough that he needs open heart? More tests. Brain CT to check for blood clots or indication of stroke. With his defect, blood backs up into his heart before being filtered through his lungs, raising his risk of clots being sent into his brain. It also sends unoxygenated blood into circulation. Today he is having a Transesophogal Echocardiogram, a TEE. In two days he will have a stress echo. Then the cardiologist will schedule a heart catheterization to check pressures in the chambers of his heart. Then the surgeon will determine how and when to close the hole. Ryan works as a CNA in wound care. He has worked in an assisted living facility. He is applying for a surgical tech program, planning a career in the medical field in the future. His dream has always been to be a surgeon. But he is unable to work full time because of the stress on his heart. He has health insurance, but it isn't great. Bills are piling up and he will be responsible for several thousand dollars out of pocket this year, then it will start over at the beginning of the year. I am a single mom, raising boys on my own, working 12 hour days to support us. There is no way Ryan can cover these expenses on his own. This is where I am asking for your assistance. Anything helps, everything is appreciated. Even sharing his story is enough. Ryan does have a huge heart. He is loved by so many! He is great with kids... his cousins and niece and nephews adore him. He is funny and has a quick wit, always making us laugh! He is a big goofball! His big heart has a big hole that needs to be repaired, then he can recover and carry on with his young life. Please donate if you can, and share if you can't. We are grateful for it all, and most of all prayers. Lots of prayers! From the bottom of this mom's full heart...thank you so very much!