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This is my beautiful, sweet boy, Henry. He is five years old and will turn six in July. On February 28, Henry was diagnosed with end-stage heart disease and was given approximately three months to live. While this was devastating news, he has been incredibly strong as he fights for his life, squeezing so much joy and love into every moment. I am fighting too, doing everything I can to make his final days his best days.
I am asking for your help so I may be able to continue to do so.
Henry has endocardial form restrictive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a rare form of heart disease that makes it difficult for his heart to work because of a thick, fibrous band of tissue (similar to scar tissue) that has grown inside of his left ventricle.
Managing Henry’s health is tricky. When stable, he shows no signs of illness: he runs, plays, picks on his brothers, sunbathes, watches birds, obsesses over his catnip pickle, sleeps on my pillow, begs for food and pettings, and walks on my computer while I try to type. But there have been crises. He has required ER care and hospitalization several times due to fluid build-up in and around his lungs. He also requires frequent monitoring by his cardiologist, including post-crises follow-up.
As soon as he gets through each crisis, his quality of life returns to what is was before, wonderful and unimpeded – running, playing, cuddling with his brothers, etc. As long as this continues to be the case, I will provide Henry with whatever care, including emergency care, is needed. My focus is on the quality of his life, not extending how long he lives.
I have had Henry covered with PetPlan insurance since he was 14 weeks old. On April 27, PetPlan denied coverage, saying his heart disease is a pre-existing condition. I will always provide the highest level of care to Henry no matter what it takes. Believing his costs would be reimbursed made this much less stressful and possible. At present, his medical bills are more than $3800 and he will require medications and check-ups for the remainder of his life. And there will be future crises – that is the unfortunate nature of his illness.
I do not know what the future holds for my boy. I do know that he has limited time left and my priority is to make that time the best it can be for him. I love him dearly and will do everything I can for him.
This is not a fundraiser to fix Henry – I know the situation and the outcome we are facing. This is to help me care for my boy while it helps him and to give him the dignified death he deserves, surrounded by love, when the time comes. I thought I had done what I needed to do to protect Henry (and me) in the case of serious illness: he has the highest coverage package possible through his pet insurance and I saved money to cover copays and crises until reimbursement would occur. I have depleted my savings and beyond. With his insurance company denying his claims, I don’t know how to proceed.
I have so many wonderful friends and my boys have helped me connect with an extended family of pet lovers around the world. I am so grateful for the love and support we have already received as people have learned about Henry’s condition. Please know anything you can do will make a tremendous difference and we are so grateful.
Thank you so very much,
Kristi
I am asking for your help so I may be able to continue to do so.
Henry has endocardial form restrictive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a rare form of heart disease that makes it difficult for his heart to work because of a thick, fibrous band of tissue (similar to scar tissue) that has grown inside of his left ventricle.
Managing Henry’s health is tricky. When stable, he shows no signs of illness: he runs, plays, picks on his brothers, sunbathes, watches birds, obsesses over his catnip pickle, sleeps on my pillow, begs for food and pettings, and walks on my computer while I try to type. But there have been crises. He has required ER care and hospitalization several times due to fluid build-up in and around his lungs. He also requires frequent monitoring by his cardiologist, including post-crises follow-up.
As soon as he gets through each crisis, his quality of life returns to what is was before, wonderful and unimpeded – running, playing, cuddling with his brothers, etc. As long as this continues to be the case, I will provide Henry with whatever care, including emergency care, is needed. My focus is on the quality of his life, not extending how long he lives.
I have had Henry covered with PetPlan insurance since he was 14 weeks old. On April 27, PetPlan denied coverage, saying his heart disease is a pre-existing condition. I will always provide the highest level of care to Henry no matter what it takes. Believing his costs would be reimbursed made this much less stressful and possible. At present, his medical bills are more than $3800 and he will require medications and check-ups for the remainder of his life. And there will be future crises – that is the unfortunate nature of his illness.
I do not know what the future holds for my boy. I do know that he has limited time left and my priority is to make that time the best it can be for him. I love him dearly and will do everything I can for him.
This is not a fundraiser to fix Henry – I know the situation and the outcome we are facing. This is to help me care for my boy while it helps him and to give him the dignified death he deserves, surrounded by love, when the time comes. I thought I had done what I needed to do to protect Henry (and me) in the case of serious illness: he has the highest coverage package possible through his pet insurance and I saved money to cover copays and crises until reimbursement would occur. I have depleted my savings and beyond. With his insurance company denying his claims, I don’t know how to proceed.
I have so many wonderful friends and my boys have helped me connect with an extended family of pet lovers around the world. I am so grateful for the love and support we have already received as people have learned about Henry’s condition. Please know anything you can do will make a tremendous difference and we are so grateful.
Thank you so very much,
Kristi