Changing Hearts

Lying on the ground, disoriented, and collecting your thoughts, while people are standing over you shouting, "are you alright;" being lethargic, with limited physical activity; continual coughing from fluid in your lungs; Legs swollen three times their normal size; your stomach protruding like you are nine months pregnant. Hmm, Welcome to the world of cardiopulmonary:

I have been battling Heart Failure for the last several years. As a result I have been in and out the hospital for treatments, but they have yet to successfully prevent the deterioration of my heart. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2007. I underwent a major surgery inserting a defibrillator in my chest in 2010 for my atrial-fibrillation. My health continued to decline to the present.

My stay at Northwestern Memorial Hospital In July of 2013, was different from the other hospitals that I have been in. This time, they gave me a battery of test and biopsies. As a result of all the testing my doctor diagnosed me with cardiopulmonary. Currently I have been placed on the heart transplant list. Until a heart comes along, I am taking an I.V. drip. The I.V. drip is portable, allowing me to stay at home temporarily.

As a result of my advanced heart failure the pressure in my lungs are extremely high. The hospital team wants to install a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for my pulmonary hypertension. The cardiac specialist will preform two surgeries. The first to place a heart pump (LVAD) in my heart to normalize the pressures in my lungs; the second is the actual heart transplant. Both surgeries have a recovery time of about 4 week hospital stay and physical therapy. The LVAD also requires that someone is close by (24 hrs a day) just in case the heart pump quit working.

My medical bills continue to accumulate from my treatments. Research shows that the cost of medical expenses for heart transplants will cost over $900,000. My insurance will cover about 80% - 90% of the cost. The rest of the cost will be out of pocket expenses.

While waiting for a heart transplant I can no longer work. I enjoyed my work, teaching special needs student. It is a very fulfilling occupation. I recently taught at Bloom High School Alternative Program, located in Chicago Heights, where most of the students have behavioral disorders. Research shows that eighty-five percent of students with this disability, end up in prison. I have been very fortunate to give my student a chance at a successful life. My hope is that after this ordeal, I will return back to helping my students escape this horrible statistic.

Please help me return to a normal life as a husband, father, and teacher. A few dollars might not seem like it would help much, but when paired with donations from lots of people, it will really add up. If you are able to give, no donation is too small or too large. If you are not able to give at this time, I just ask that you just pray for me, my family and those charged with my care. Please share this site with friends, family and co-workers.

Let me Thank you in advance for your support and donations.

David D. Hill