Rusty's Heart
Donation protected
10 years ago, at the age of 37, Rusty unexpectedly underwent triple bypass surgery. It was one of the scariest days of our lives. 10 days after the triple bypass, our youngest was born. Life was good. Life went on.
Fast forward 10 years, Rusty took himself to the ER due to chest pains. We found out that one of the bypasses was 100% blocked and the bottom of his right heart was severly damaged. What did this mean? His left side of his heart was doing all the work for his entire heart.
After 6 weeks of medications and a couple tests, it was determined that Rusty would benefit from a CTO PCI - basically a "rotorouter" of the artery. On October 20, 2017, Rusty went in for this procedure with a team of doctors. After 4.5 hours, the doctors stopped "working" on Rusty's heart. They could not clean out the artery. What now?
He has already been out of work for the past 6 weeks. His spirits have been high and extremely low. This procedure was suppose to turn life around and, for lack of a better term, give Rusty a "new lease on life". Instead, it was a total blow to a man who truly believed everything would be okay.
We don't know what lies in the future or where the future will take us but we do know that we want Rusty to be a part of it.
6 weeks of Rusty being out of work, has put a toll on the family. Between his doctors visits and medications and procedures, the co-pays have been draining us. We are swallowing much pride by asking for help. Our lives have been turned upside down.
Fast forward 10 years, Rusty took himself to the ER due to chest pains. We found out that one of the bypasses was 100% blocked and the bottom of his right heart was severly damaged. What did this mean? His left side of his heart was doing all the work for his entire heart.
After 6 weeks of medications and a couple tests, it was determined that Rusty would benefit from a CTO PCI - basically a "rotorouter" of the artery. On October 20, 2017, Rusty went in for this procedure with a team of doctors. After 4.5 hours, the doctors stopped "working" on Rusty's heart. They could not clean out the artery. What now?
He has already been out of work for the past 6 weeks. His spirits have been high and extremely low. This procedure was suppose to turn life around and, for lack of a better term, give Rusty a "new lease on life". Instead, it was a total blow to a man who truly believed everything would be okay.
We don't know what lies in the future or where the future will take us but we do know that we want Rusty to be a part of it.
6 weeks of Rusty being out of work, has put a toll on the family. Between his doctors visits and medications and procedures, the co-pays have been draining us. We are swallowing much pride by asking for help. Our lives have been turned upside down.
Organizer
Maura Hurley Kuehling
Organizer
Fort Johnson, NY
