Justin's Journey
Donation protected
In December 2013, Justin Daywalt came home from work and collapsed in the living room. Immediately we rushed him to the ER in Newburgh, IN where we could see his heart pounding out of his chest. He was in the hospital for almost two weeks before they determined he, at 31 years old, had Congestive Heart Failure, with 10% of his heart functioning. The months and even years to follow were filled with many ups and downs.
In May 2014, he receive his defibrillator and the next day, sent to the Jewish Hospital in Louisville, KY. After talking to the doctors, they were pushing for the LVAD, Left Ventricular Assist Device. This is an electromechanical device for assisting cardiac circulation, which is used either to partially or to completely replace the function of a failing heart. He would have had a tube leading from a battery pack on the outside of his body, through his side up to his heart. The risk of infection and issues at the time seemed to out weigh the good. So, he declined this option and went forth with medication therapy to try to control the problem. This seemed to be working and he even went back to work soon following this.
He pushed through, working for USIC, in Evansville, IN for the next 4 years. Occasionally staying in the hospital from fluid build up, but not getting better, just staying in limbo. However, in February 2018, Justin seemed at his worst. He came home from work and said he could no longer continue at this pace. He went to the hospital where he was told his condition had worsened and was referred to IU Medical in Indianapolis for heart transplant evaluations.
For several months, trips were made back and forth, but progress was not seen. By November of 2018, IU Med called and told Justin that "according to the Medicare Standard of Health, he is in too good of health to be considered for a heart transplant". This brought on unheard of emotions. All hope seemed lost and depression set in. For an entire year, we wasted time and resources that could not be replaced. Times seemed dim and not looking good. Yet, he pushed on, finally receiving disability and able to help his family more than before.
2019 was a blur and into 2020. With everything going on around us in 2020, we didn't imagine what could happen next. In June 2020, while camping at Scales Lake, with family and friends, Justin blacked out. When he came to, we thought he had a seizure. We packed up came home and relaxed. At 2:30am, Justin shots straight up in bed, fell back and seized again. When he came to, we rushed him to the ER, where we found out his heart had stopped 3 times before his pacemaker shocked him the fourth time, bringing him back in rhythm. Had he not had the pacemaker, he would not be here today. This was the most frightening news we had ever had. After a week in the hospital and changing medications, he was referred to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. In July 2020, we ventured south to the center. The doctors there, performed tests that no one else had done in almost seven years of dealing with this. He stayed for a week, being tested from head to toe for everything under the sun. The heart transplant team visited daily, keeping us updated. His meds were changed yet again, and they drain approx. 20 pounds of fluid off him that we didn't know existed. After a week, he was released to come home and wait for the evaluations to be looked over by the committee.
GREAT NEWS!
Wednesday, July 22, he was finally given some fabulous news. In January 2021, he will be accepted to the Heart Transplant list at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Tennessee.
PANIC MODE:
With this, comes great medical expenses. While insurance covers a lot, help is still needed. He will be in the hospital for a minimum of 8 weeks, with his wife having to be at his side the entire time, unable to leave. Disability helps, but only so far and bills at home in Chandler, IN still need to be kept up. We are graciously seeking financial help from those around us. Every little bit makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.
God has kept Justin in this world for a reason and we know prayers do get answered. Some answers may take longer than others. We cannot thank you enough for your love, prayers and support. Life is looking up and we are ready to tackle it all!
Keep checking back as we meet with Vanderbilt monthly!
In May 2014, he receive his defibrillator and the next day, sent to the Jewish Hospital in Louisville, KY. After talking to the doctors, they were pushing for the LVAD, Left Ventricular Assist Device. This is an electromechanical device for assisting cardiac circulation, which is used either to partially or to completely replace the function of a failing heart. He would have had a tube leading from a battery pack on the outside of his body, through his side up to his heart. The risk of infection and issues at the time seemed to out weigh the good. So, he declined this option and went forth with medication therapy to try to control the problem. This seemed to be working and he even went back to work soon following this.
He pushed through, working for USIC, in Evansville, IN for the next 4 years. Occasionally staying in the hospital from fluid build up, but not getting better, just staying in limbo. However, in February 2018, Justin seemed at his worst. He came home from work and said he could no longer continue at this pace. He went to the hospital where he was told his condition had worsened and was referred to IU Medical in Indianapolis for heart transplant evaluations.
For several months, trips were made back and forth, but progress was not seen. By November of 2018, IU Med called and told Justin that "according to the Medicare Standard of Health, he is in too good of health to be considered for a heart transplant". This brought on unheard of emotions. All hope seemed lost and depression set in. For an entire year, we wasted time and resources that could not be replaced. Times seemed dim and not looking good. Yet, he pushed on, finally receiving disability and able to help his family more than before.
2019 was a blur and into 2020. With everything going on around us in 2020, we didn't imagine what could happen next. In June 2020, while camping at Scales Lake, with family and friends, Justin blacked out. When he came to, we thought he had a seizure. We packed up came home and relaxed. At 2:30am, Justin shots straight up in bed, fell back and seized again. When he came to, we rushed him to the ER, where we found out his heart had stopped 3 times before his pacemaker shocked him the fourth time, bringing him back in rhythm. Had he not had the pacemaker, he would not be here today. This was the most frightening news we had ever had. After a week in the hospital and changing medications, he was referred to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. In July 2020, we ventured south to the center. The doctors there, performed tests that no one else had done in almost seven years of dealing with this. He stayed for a week, being tested from head to toe for everything under the sun. The heart transplant team visited daily, keeping us updated. His meds were changed yet again, and they drain approx. 20 pounds of fluid off him that we didn't know existed. After a week, he was released to come home and wait for the evaluations to be looked over by the committee.
GREAT NEWS!
Wednesday, July 22, he was finally given some fabulous news. In January 2021, he will be accepted to the Heart Transplant list at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Tennessee.
PANIC MODE:
With this, comes great medical expenses. While insurance covers a lot, help is still needed. He will be in the hospital for a minimum of 8 weeks, with his wife having to be at his side the entire time, unable to leave. Disability helps, but only so far and bills at home in Chandler, IN still need to be kept up. We are graciously seeking financial help from those around us. Every little bit makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.
God has kept Justin in this world for a reason and we know prayers do get answered. Some answers may take longer than others. We cannot thank you enough for your love, prayers and support. Life is looking up and we are ready to tackle it all!
Keep checking back as we meet with Vanderbilt monthly!
Organizer
Lindsey Daywalt
Organizer
Chandler, IN