Derrick's Health Recovery Fund
Donation protected
The past several months have been a whirlwind for me.
Like most of us, I started out this year pursuing goals and looking to be a
blessing to others. Things were beginning to pick up in June with work and I
was also ministering and teaching God's Word.
All of a sudden, I began experiencing shortness of breath in June. I thought it was due to the Summer heat, and kept on trucking. After couple of weeks, I went to the ER at the VA Hospital. They ran some preliminary screening and diagnosed it as stress. Difficulty sleeping became a problem and so I went to the Doctor. He scheduled more extensive testing and the results came back with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, Cardiomyopathy. My heart had an output of 18%; the average output range for a normal person being 45-60%. I began medication and seeing a cardiologist with the hopes of this being sufficient. All this occurred in June/July. I was in and out of the ER in August. Then I became physically ill and was admitted to the hospital.
The team of cardiologists ran numerous tests and took a look at my heart to see what was causing the problem. The conclusion was my heart had became weak and given out. They couldn't find any blockages or signs of a heart attack. Their recommendation was to get me healthy enough and receive a heart transplant. While I was in the hospital, they found a growth on my thyroid. The biopsy returned positive for papillary cancer. I was released from hospital on 9/11. During the week of me looking to get back on my feet, I began having extreme pain on my right side (chest). After 2 more trips to the ER, they decided to admit me again. During this stay, it was discovered that some blood clots had formed. As treatment was initiated for the clots, it was decided that it would be best to remove the thyroid now so the focus could return to the treatment on the heart. I spent 2 more weeks in the hospital. Fast forward to October 9, 2013, I was released from the hospital.
The plan ahead is for me to complete my radiation treatment for the thyroid cancer in November. I currently am wearing a Life Vest (defibrillator) with future talks of implanting a pacemaker. However, I continue to believe that the worst is behind me. I believe that God has given me a new healthy heart with confirmation soon to come and for me to be removed off of the heart transplant list.
Many have asked how they can help us, and our greatest need is at this time meeting some of our immediate financial obligations (car note, insurance premiums, rent, & out of pocket medical cost). I do have some fixed income coming in but I fell behind not being able to work. Most of our creditors are working with us and that is a blessing. I understand I will need some time to fully recover. Lastly, I just wanted to thank everyone in advance for your prayers and support. God is a RE-storer!
All of a sudden, I began experiencing shortness of breath in June. I thought it was due to the Summer heat, and kept on trucking. After couple of weeks, I went to the ER at the VA Hospital. They ran some preliminary screening and diagnosed it as stress. Difficulty sleeping became a problem and so I went to the Doctor. He scheduled more extensive testing and the results came back with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, Cardiomyopathy. My heart had an output of 18%; the average output range for a normal person being 45-60%. I began medication and seeing a cardiologist with the hopes of this being sufficient. All this occurred in June/July. I was in and out of the ER in August. Then I became physically ill and was admitted to the hospital.
The team of cardiologists ran numerous tests and took a look at my heart to see what was causing the problem. The conclusion was my heart had became weak and given out. They couldn't find any blockages or signs of a heart attack. Their recommendation was to get me healthy enough and receive a heart transplant. While I was in the hospital, they found a growth on my thyroid. The biopsy returned positive for papillary cancer. I was released from hospital on 9/11. During the week of me looking to get back on my feet, I began having extreme pain on my right side (chest). After 2 more trips to the ER, they decided to admit me again. During this stay, it was discovered that some blood clots had formed. As treatment was initiated for the clots, it was decided that it would be best to remove the thyroid now so the focus could return to the treatment on the heart. I spent 2 more weeks in the hospital. Fast forward to October 9, 2013, I was released from the hospital.
The plan ahead is for me to complete my radiation treatment for the thyroid cancer in November. I currently am wearing a Life Vest (defibrillator) with future talks of implanting a pacemaker. However, I continue to believe that the worst is behind me. I believe that God has given me a new healthy heart with confirmation soon to come and for me to be removed off of the heart transplant list.
Many have asked how they can help us, and our greatest need is at this time meeting some of our immediate financial obligations (car note, insurance premiums, rent, & out of pocket medical cost). I do have some fixed income coming in but I fell behind not being able to work. Most of our creditors are working with us and that is a blessing. I understand I will need some time to fully recover. Lastly, I just wanted to thank everyone in advance for your prayers and support. God is a RE-storer!
Organizer
Derrick Jones
Organizer
Houston, TX
