This is an extremely hard thing to do. Despite the size of my mouth, I have always had a problem asking for what I really need.

There is no easy way to say this.

In late November, I was diagnosed with Class C heart failure and will be fitted with a defibrillator on Jan 2nd. In one week. One can't fully explain the extremely difficult and acary a time this is and will be a challenging time emotionally and physically for my family and I.

There is a hereditary gene I have that is closely linked to arrhythmias, hocm, and heart failure. This heart failure "gene" most certainly played a part in my father's death at 38.

I think of my father. I think of Larry. I think of Bob and Megan. I think of the blessing that I have. A warning in the shape of a timeline.

The Shawshank Redemption is my favorite movie of all time.

For the better part of a month, I've heard Morgan Freeman's voice in my head:

"Get busy livin', or get busy dying. Damn right."

But first financial security for my family and I while I recover and make this transition.

Needless to say, there will be extensive costs in traveling to Milwaukee for near-monthly testing and implantables in the coming year. This will be exacerbated greatly by my income disappearing for the next 2 months.

I will unlikely be able to return to my job in manufacturing. . .electromagnetic energy.

The stress and fear will be enough to deal with, and only exacerbated by financial instability.

Between my lifelong anxiety and this. . .I am going through a lawyer for disability.

And that takes time. In the meantime, I need to focus on my recovery and listen to my cardiology team.

We will need about to $15,000 to break even between the 2-3 month layoff of my job, while I recover, and miscellaneous medical costs including transportation, lodging, meds, cpap supplies, and a whoooole lot of echos.

We understand that $15,000 is a big ask. We're all doing what we can. It would mean more than the world to my family and I. Heart, mind, and Soul. A small sense of security is worth more than gold.

IMPORTANT NOTE/PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Please, if you take nothing else from this post: If you have a history of heart failure, death, etc. in your family, please get yourself gene tested. There is a 50% heredity rate for a gene that causes arrhythmias, hocm, and heart failure. Do it for your family, do it for yourself.

My father died of a sudden heart attack at 38. Since 1981 we have learned much. Not only in the way of cardiac

"hardware", but in genetics.

Be well.

And know you are loved.